Shenzhen, China — In a thrilling matchup on Tuesday, the Shenzhen Leopards ended the Zhejiang Golden Bulls’ impressive 10-game winning streak with a nail-biting 105-102 victory on the road.
Despite being near the bottom of the standings, the Leopards showcased remarkable resilience against one of the league’s top teams. The first quarter was tightly contested, ending in a 21-21 tie. Zhejiang tried to pull ahead in the second quarter, with Wang Zilu’s three-pointer giving them a temporary seven-point lead.
However, Shenzhen’s Trevor Thompson quickly turned the tide. After a brilliant solo run by Sonny Weems, Thompson powered through double coverage to score under the basket. He continued to dominate, using his agility to add more points, helping Shenzhen build a 14-point lead by halftime.
Zhejiang mounted a fierce comeback after the break, led by Gabe York. York’s decisive drives and a sensational three-pointer with just 12.3 seconds remaining cut the deficit to two points. Despite his last-second efforts, Shenzhen held on to halt Zhejiang’s winning streak.
Fujian Sturgeons Snap 15-Game Losing Streak
In another exciting game, the Fujian Sturgeons ended their 15-game losing streak by defeating the Jiangsu Dragons 103-96 at home.
Both teams had struggled this season, with Fujian holding only one win out of 23 games and Jiangsu just above them with a 3-21 record. Fujian’s Zou Yang and Zeng Lingxuan each scored over 20 points, propelling their team to a much-needed victory.
The Dragons started strong with an 11-2 run and led by seven points after the first quarter. Fujian quickly reduced the deficit, but Jiangsu managed to maintain a slim lead at halftime. In the second half, young stars Zou and Zeng led Fujian to overtake Jiangsu by three points heading into the final quarter.
Zou scored five consecutive points to expand the gap to 11, and the Sturgeons maintained their lead until the final buzzer, securing their second win of the season.
The victories for Shenzhen and Fujian highlight the unpredictable nature of the league this season, giving fans plenty to be excited about in the coming games.
Reference(s):
CBA: Shenzhen end Zhejiang's winning run, Fujian beat Jiangsu
cgtn.com
