In the CBA, Guangdong Southern Tigers hosted the Shanxi Brave Dragons on Wednesday. The hosts were looking for revenge as Shanxi had beaten them by 35 points in their first game of the new season, when Yi Jianlian was not in Southern Tigers line-up.
Yi and his teammates also hope to keep their 14-game winning streak. Shanxi, meanwhile, were riding on momentum of 4 wins in a row.
Guangdong head coach Du Feng was suspended for one game due to arguement with referees last game. Replacing him was assistant coach Chris Eagle.
Zhao Rui's triple gives the hosts a one point lead, two and half minutes into the game.
Two minutes later, Guangdong on the fastbreak. Donaldo Sloan connects with Ren Junfei for the lay-up. Ren gets two despite the defence from twin brother Ren Junwei with Shanxi. Southern Tigers up by two.
Then a careless turnover from the visitors gives Guangdong a chance to counter attack. And Yang Jinmeng would nails a deuce with ease. Guangdong take a 13-point lead after the 1st frame.
Two minutes into the 2nd Q, Zhao rips through Shanxi defence and sets up Carlos Boozer for the dunk! Guangdong lead by 19 now!
Yi meanwhile, would add misery to the visitors with another throw down. The big man would pockets 31 points and 12 rebounds for the night.
Jump to the 3rd Q, Shanxi down by 33. Samuel Dalembert misses the hook, but gets the rebound. His second attempt is blocked by Boozer. But the Canadian-Haitian international gets two with his third shot. Shanxi struggle to get themselves on the scoreboard.
Guangdong determined to keep their 30-plus lead in the final Q, as Yi nails another jumper.
Sloan would add salt to the wounds with another jumper. The gap is beyond reach and Guangdong would crush Shanxi 124-93, sealing their 15th win in a row in the process.
JIANGSU 105 - JILIN 101 (OT)
Also on Sunday, the Beijing Ducks would play defending champs the Sichuan Blue whales, but the visitors suffer a blow 7-minutes into the game -- Zhai Xiaochuan injures his ankle. He would have to leave, no word on the severity of the injury, but will be re-examined in Beijing.
Late in the 1st Q, Sun Yue fires from distance and Beijing take a 2-point lead.
The Capital club continue to shoot from the outside. Zhang Qingpeng nails another triple.
And Stephon Marbury connects with Zhu Yanxi for another three.
Sichuan, meanwhile use their size in the paint. Liu Wei sets up Hamed Haddadi for the dunk. The Iranian center had a game-high 35 points.
Haddadi was a beast inside and cuts the deficit to 1 after another jam.
Marbury then drives in for the lay-up. The vet managing 26 points and 10 assists on the night.
Sichuan, meanwhile, peformed poorly from the free throw line, missing 12 of 22 chances.
With 28 seconds remaining, Haddadi would add 2 off the glass and Sichuan down by 2.
Marbury then shows them how to make the freebies -- as Beijing take a 3 point lead.
Blue Whales have a chance to tie things late. But Meng Da misses the triple. Beijing hold on for 105-101, triumph.
