Defending champions Guangdong Southern Tigers came from behind to beat the Bayi Rockets 116-108 on Sunday, extending their winning streak to 24 games in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).

It was a game between the league leaders and the bottom of the league, so Yi Jianlian of Guangdong took the chance to rest.

The first period proved to be dramatic for Guangdong. Bayi started with a 12-4 scoring run, while Guangdong lost their pace in attacking. Guangdong finally managed to tie the game with three minutes remaining, and Wan Shengwei gave the team a 26-24 lead before the end.

Bayi took the lead again as the second quarter kicked off, but Guangdong displayed their strength to pull ahead 57-52 after the first half. Zhou Peng of Guangdong contributed 13 points and six rebounds, and Zhao Rui added 12 points.

Guangdong extended the lead to 93-80 after three periods. Bayi got off to a 11-5 start in the last quarter, cutting the deficit to seven points, but failed to keep the pace as Zou Yuchen of Bayi was carried off due to injury.

Ren Junfei of Guangdong posted a game-high 29 points and 13 rebounds. Sonny Weems contributed 16 points and six assists.

Five Bayi players scored in the double digits, as Lei Meng had 28 points, and Zou Yuchen added 12 points and 12 rebounds.

"At the beginning, the players thought the match was too easy, and their concentration was not enough," Guangdong coach Du Feng said.

"Guangdong is a champion team, so a pure attitude is very important. If you go all out to play, people will respect you. If you hand in your gun from the beginning, people will look down on you," said Bayi coach Wang Zhizhi.

In other games on Sunday, Beijing Royal Fighters routed Shanghai Sharks 104-97 while Jilin Northeast Tigers lost to Zhejiang Golden Bulls in a 88-95 defeat.