The Jiangsu Dragons put an end to their six-game losing streak by overcoming the Tianjin Pioneers 99-93 on Tuesday in Nanjing, east China’s Jiangsu Province. The thrilling Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) clash saw both teams battle fiercely, with standout performances lighting up the court.
Jiangsu started strong, with James Thompson dominating inside to give the home team a 21-10 lead midway through the first quarter. However, Tianjin’s Lin Ting-Chien caught fire, knocking down four three-pointers in the quarter to fuel a 17-5 run, putting the Pioneers ahead.
Thompson and Li Chengyao rallied for the Dragons, combining for seven points in the final minute to reclaim the lead at 30-27 by the end of the first quarter.
The neck-and-neck competition continued into the second quarter. Thompson and Franklin Jackson powered Jiangsu’s offense, while Lin, Zheng Haoran, and Marcus LoVett Jr. each scored in double digits for Tianjin. The Dragons held a slim 52-51 advantage at halftime.
In the third quarter, Tianjin’s offense stumbled after Lin tied the game at 66-66. The Pioneers managed only one more field goal—a layup by Zheng—as Jiangsu outscored them 11-2, extending their lead to 77-68 entering the final quarter.
The Dragons expanded their lead to as much as 14 points. Despite a late surge from Zheng and Lin, who hit three consecutive three-pointers in the final 30 seconds, the Pioneers couldn’t turn the tide, succumbing to their 24th loss of the season.
In another matchup, the Shandong Hi-Speed Kirin defeated the Ningbo Rockets 112-102 in Jinan, east China’s Shandong Province, prolonging the Rockets’ losing streak to ten games. Shandong built a commanding lead early on, at one point leading by 25 points before halftime.
Ningbo’s Ronald March delivered an impressive performance, scoring a season-high 60 points, including seven three-pointers and 13 free throws. Despite his efforts, the Rockets were unable to close the gap, and Shandong’s victory elevated them to second place in the league standings, just behind the Guangsha Lions.
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Jiangsu Dragons beat Tianjin Pioneers to end six-game losing streak
cgtn.com
