Guo Ailun (3rd L) powers Liaoning Flying Leopards to a three-game winning streak after victory against Nanjing. /VCG Photo
Guo Ailun scored 31 points and seven rebounds as Liaoning Flying Leopards beat Nanjing Monkey Kings 126-107 in the 2019-20 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) on Tuesday.
Nanjing held a slender 79-78 advantage before the fourth quarter, but Liaoning embarked on runs of 13-2 and 12-2 in the fourth to open up an insurmountable 20 point advantage.
Liaoning's All-Star guard Guo Ailun put on a tremendous show, shooting 12 for 16 and racking up 31 points plus 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals.
Lance Stephenson contributed a double-double with 30 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists while Han Dejun added 18 for Liaoning, who won their third straight game after a season-opening two-game losing streak.
2019 CBA All-star MVP Joseph Young gave Liaoning's defense some tense moments as he scored a game-high 40 points for Nanjing, with guard Behnam Yakhchali notching 25 points and a team-high 3 assists.
Former NBA player Lance Stephenson (L) and Guo Ailun celebrate after winning . /VCG Photo
After the match, Liaoning head coach Guo Shiqiang paid tribute to his team's patience. "We increased our defensive intensity in the fourth quarter and won the game. We feel much better now than at the beginning of the season," he said.
"Liaoning used a lot of pick-and-rolls, and we were worse in defensive transition," lamented Cui Wanjun, head coach of Nanjing.
In Shanxi, Jamaal Franklin finished with 36 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds for his second triple-double of the season. Yuan Shuai added 20 points after finishing 7 of 12 from the field, including 6 of 11 3-pointers, to help Shanxi Loongs beat Shanghai Sharks 106-87.
In Tuesday's other games, Shandong Heroes rallied to beat Tianjin Pioneers 96-82 with six players reaching double figures, and Qingdao Eagles routed Guangzhou Loong Lions 115-100.
(With input from Xinhua)