In this June 21, 2020 photo, team members of Shandong Heroes celebrate after winning the match in Dongguan, Guangdong province. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

ZHUJI, China - The backcourt duo of Gao Shiyan and Zhang Fan contributed a total of 33 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists as Shandong Heroes beat Beijing Royal Fighters 99-83 on Monday in the first round of the regular season of the 2020-21 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).

In another game, the Liaoning Flying Leopards smashed the Tianjin Pioneers 121-108

The score seesawed at the beginning of the match. The Beijing Royal Fighters only led 25-24 in the first quarter.

Gao Shiyan, who joined Shandong from Liaoning during the season break, helped Shandong have a 11-4 point dash in the midway of the second period, giving Shandong a two-digit advantage before the half break.

The Royal Fighters, who paraded a line up of only Chinese players, found few ways of trimming the deficit in the second half. Shandong had a 20-point advantage midway through the third quarter.

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With 4:46 remaining on the clock, the Royal Fighters' head coach Stephon Marbury brought veteran Sun Yue to the bench, giving up the game.

"We found our pace in offense and had a wonderful, fantastic season start," said Shandong's head coach Gong Xiaobin.

"Gao is an experienced player, he can speed up our offensive pace this season," Gong added.

In another game played on Monday, the Liaoning Flying Leopards smashed the Tianjin Pioneers 121-108.

Guo Ailun of Liaoning led both sides with 39 points. Chinese rising star Zhang Zhenlin of Liaoning had a double-double performance with 13 points and 11 rebounds.