Lester Hudson contributed a game-high 34 points and 12 assists as Shandong Heroes thrashed the visiting Shanghai Sharks 119-85 in the 12th round of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) on Saturday, ending their two-game losing streak.
The home team opened the game in a vigorous way and led by 36-15 with six three-pointers in the first quarter, before Hudson and Li Jingyu combined 27 points in the second quarter for Shandong to take the 55-41 advantage into the half break.
The second half saw little challenges from the visitors as the Heroes extended the lead to 27 points by the end of the third quarter and destroyed their opponents by 30-plus points 119-85.
Six players of Shandong registered double-digit points, and the team had 13 three-pointers while Shanghai had only five. Donatas Motiejunas reported a team-high 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Sharks.
Shenzhen Aviators cruised past Zhejiang Lions 113-97 at home thanks to a game-high 26 points from Gu Quan. The 27-year-old forward hit six out of 10 three-pointers in his 28 minutes of playing time, while the whole team made 12-of-28 from the three-point line.
Shenzhen opened arc in the first quarter, where they stormed to a 16-2 spurt to build up a 32-23 lead. Both teams improved their defense in the second quarter and Shenzhen held its advantage well, leading 51-38 into the second half.
The Lions then geared up to score baskets down the paint in the third quarter, only to see the Aviators responded with a string of 3-pointers to maintain their advantage 80-68 and sealed the victory in the final quarter with composure.
Nanjing Monkey Kings defeated Qingdao Eagles 122-115 as Joseph Young made a game-high 43 points for Nanjing who had won only one of their previous 10 meetings with Qingdao. Darius Adams and Zhai Yi contributed 40 and 15 points separately for Qingdao.
Nanjing led by 15 points in the first half, but their advantages were cut to four by the end of the third quarter. However, they kept them till the final whistle.
In the other game of the night, Guangzhou Loong Lions beat league's tail-ender Bayi Rockets 116-112.