Kyle Fogg (right) of the Liaoning Flying Leopards reacts with teammate Li Xiaoxu during Game 2 of the Finals against the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in the 2022-23 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang province on May 10, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

BEIJING — The Liaoning Flying Leopards defeated the Ningbo Rockets 85-75 to maintain their lead in the points standings of the Chinese Basketball Association, while the Beijing Royal Fighters overcame the Tianjin Pioneers 116-97 on Friday.

Liaoning initiated a 12-3 run at the start of the game. Ningbo responded with Damyean Dotson's lay-up. After the first quarter, Liaoning held a 21-16 lead. Ning Hongyu's three-pointers aided them in narrowing the deficit to two points, but Liaoning executed a 10-1 run at the end of the quarter, finishing the first half with a 48-37 lead.

In the decisive final quarter, Liaoning demonstrated their resilience, outperforming Ningbo in the last few minutes and ultimately clinching the victory

Ningbo rallied in the second half. Damyean Dotson and Akil Mitchell scored successively, helping the visitors end the third quarter tied at 63-63.

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In the decisive final quarter, Liaoning demonstrated their resilience, outperforming Ningbo in the last few minutes and ultimately clinching the victory.

Liaoning displayed a balanced offense with six players scoring in double figures, diminishing the impact of Dotson's game-high 26 points.

In another match, the Tianjin Pioneers started strongly with a 30-20 lead in the first quarter. The Beijing Royal Fighters caught up in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Beijing Royal Fighters found their rhythm with a 10-2 scoring run, putting the game out of Tianjin's reach.

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On the same day, the Zhejiang Lions prevailed over the Sichuan Blue Whales 132-101, the Shanghai Sharks edged out the Guangzhou Loong Lions 100-98, and the Nanjing Monkey Kings narrowly defeated the Jilin Northeast Tigers 102-98.