Yi Jianlian-led#9 Guangdong Southeast Tigers clinch narrow win facing Xinjiang. /VCG Photo
Defending champions Guangdong Southeast Tigers shut down Xinjiang Flying Tigers' six-game unbeaten run into the season with a 128-127 home win in the seventh round of 2019-20 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) season on Tuesday.
Marshon Brooks had a game-high 39 points and eight rebounds for Guangdong. Yi Jianlian contributed a double-double with 23 points and 14 rebounds.
Kyranbek Makan had a career-high 30 points on 11-of-13 shooting, including eight 3-pointers out of 10 attempts for Xinjiang.
Both sides were effective in offense yet unable to contain the opponents on the defense end as the first half of the rematch of last season's Finals ended 72-71.
Xinjiang opened the second half with a 7-0 run and entered the last period with a 101-95 lead. But Brooks led Guangdong to initiate a 10-1 run to turn the table 122-120 before Wan Shengwei, who was sent on in the four quarter, sealed the game with a lay-up.
"It's the most difficult game we have played so far this season. Xinjiang have a strong squad and high three-pointer percentage, which made the match really tough for us," Guangdong head coach Du Feng said.
Marshon Brooks#6 pockets a game-high 39 points. /VCG Photo
With the victory, Guangdong overtook Xinjiang to lead the CBA table with a 6-1 record.
Meanwhile, Tianjin put an end to their embarrassing winless record with a 95-93 home win over Sichuan.
Meng Zikai got a double-double with 26 points plus 10 rebounds for Tianjin and 23-year-old Tian Yu had 24 points in his CBA debut. Sichuan's Courtney Fortson got a game-high 29 points.
Tianjin were 72-58 behind at the end of the third quarter and it looked like they would have another defeat. But Meng led the team to a 25-11 last-quarter performance to level the score 83-83 and extended the game into overtime.
In overtime, the hosts jumped out to a 11-3 run for the victory.
Elsewhere, Former NBA player Kenneth Faried, who made his debut for Zhejiang Lions two days ago, racked up 16 points in the second half to help his team ease past Nanjing Monkey Kings 116-98. Guo Ailun, with 20 points and seven assists, rose to the occasion in the four quarter to lead Liaoning Flying Leopards rallying from behind to beat Zhejiang Golden Bulls 122-114.
"We were patient in breaking their defense and good in rebounding - we grabbed 20 offensive rebound, which was the key to our win," said Liaoning head coach Guo Shiqiang.
Center Wang Zhelin registered 23 points and 12 rebounds to spearhead Fujian Sturgeons to an easy 122-101 victory over Bayi Rockets. Shanghai Sharks defeat Jiangsu Dragons 99-92. Qingdao Eagles held their nerves in the closing minutes to edge Shandong Heroes 104-99.