Published: 10:04, January 30, 2024 | Updated: 10:10, January 30, 2024
CBA: Xinjiang smash Qingdao, bagging 5th straight win
By Xinhua

Abdusalam Abdurixit (left) of the Xinjiang Flying Tigers runs with the ball during a game of the Chinese Basketball Association against the Shenzhen Aviators in Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on Jan 17, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

WUHAN - The Xinjiang Flying Tigers continued their strong momentum to cruise past the Qingdao Eagles 110-84, while the Zhejiang Golden Bulls came from behind to beat the Beijing Ducks 112-110 in the 36th round of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) League on Monday.

Xinjiang, leading the table for now, saw a comfortable game against the sixth-ranked Qingdao Eagles, took a 27-17 run to end the first quarter and gained a 22-point lead before the interval. Qingdao warmed up a little bit in the second half, but could hardly break through the guests' line of defence.

Abudushalamu Abudurexiti had 27 points and 11 rebounds to lead Xinjiang, who came into the game on a four-game winning streak. Li Yanzhe added 16 points, as well as 14 rebounds. Myles Powell of Qingdao scored 21 points, and Zhao Jiayi contributed 14 points.

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In the other match between the Beijing Ducks and Zhejiang, both teams gained 27 points each in the first quarter, Beijing was once eight points ahead of Zhejiang, but the deficit was cut to three with Cheng Shuaipeng's two three-pointers before the halftime

"The key to our victory today lied in our defence, meanwhile, our players played their team spirit to share the ball and assist each other," said Qiu Biao, head coach of Xinjiang.

In the other match between the Beijing Ducks and Zhejiang, both teams gained 27 points each in the first quarter, Beijing was once eight points ahead of Zhejiang, but the deficit was cut to three with Cheng Shuaipeng's two three-pointers before the halftime.

Zhejiang came from behind to gain control from the third quarter, largely thanks to Cheng's scoring prowess. The guests held an advantage of 15 points with one minute and 57 seconds remaining, while two layups from Marcus Keene shortened the gap to two points finally.

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Elsewhere, the Shanghai Sharks downed the Liaoning Flying Leopards 107-105, putting an end to the host's seven-game winning streak. The Shenzhen Aviators defeated the Fujian Sturgeons 122-118.