Guo Ailun (left) of Liaoning Flying Leopards goes for a lay-up during the 10th round match between Liaoning Flying Leopards and Guangzhou Loong Lions at the 2020-2021 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Zhuji, east China's Zhejiang province, Nov 9, 2020. (JIANG HAN / XINHUA)

ZHUJI, China - The Liaoning Flying Leopards overwhelmed the Guangzhou Loong Lions 117-82, the Zhejiang Lions defeated the Shenzhen Aviators 106-104, while the Jiangsu Dragons survived a late scare to edge the Tianjin Pioneers 108-105 for their third win of the 2020-21 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) season here on Monday.

Cong Mingchen scored a game-high 33 points, including 10 three-pointers for Liaoning, while OJ Mayo added 21 points, 10 rebounds and four assists

Following the win, Liaoning remain second in the league standings, while Guangzhou drop to 11th. Cong Mingchen scored a game-high 33 points, including 10 three-pointers for Liaoning, while OJ Mayo added 21 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.

Liaoning opened up a 7-0 lead and never looked back, thanks to strong scoring from Mayo and Cong. Guo Shiqiang, former coach of Liaoning, couldn't lead Guangzhou to a comeback.

After the game, Liaoning players gathered to greet Guo, who spent over a decade with the club and let it to its first CBA title in the 2017-18 season.

"This is the first time for me to lead another team against Liaoning," said Guo, "We've shared laughter and tears through all these years."

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Tianjin had a solid 15-3 start but Jiangsu rounded into form and closed the gap with Sun Xin scoring seven points in a row. The score seesawed before Tianjin entered the break with a slender 53-51 lead.

In the second half, the two sides traded punches but Tianjin used the foul strategy well, as Shi made all his free throws to help Jiangsu clinch the win 108-105.

Tianjin coach Liu Tie criticized his team's defense, while Shi Deshuai, who contributed 19 points and eight rebounds, attributed the loss to immaturity at crucial moments.

Zhejiang rallied from the first half deficit to turn the tide and edge Shenzhen for its tenth successive win.

"I was the one to blame for the first half, as my health was not good and our preparations were not enough," lamented Zhejiang coach Liu Weiwei.