Yi Jianlian back from injury, Guangdong take 25th straight win
Updated 22:27, 14-Jul-2020
CGTN

Yi Jianlian scored 21 points in his comeback from injury as Guangdong Southeast Tigers mauled local rival Guangzhou Loong Lions 121-99 in the 2019-20 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) season on Tuesday. 

Yi returned from a back injury after missing the past four games, while the feisty guard Xu Jie was also back in the lineup. 

The nine-time title winners never trailed after the opening minutes, shooting 60 percent of their attempts to take a 16-point lead in the first period. 

As Guangzhou continued to struggle on offense, Guangdong took the firm control by halftime leading 69-40, with Yi scoring 14 of his 21 points in the second quarter. 

Yi Jianlian walks on the court prior to the game between Guangdong Southeast Tigers and Guangzhou Loong Lions in Qingdao, Shandong Province, July 14, 2020. /VCG

Yi Jianlian walks on the court prior to the game between Guangdong Southeast Tigers and Guangzhou Loong Lions in Qingdao, Shandong Province, July 14, 2020. /VCG

The advantage stretched to 38 points in the third quarter as both sides substituted freely. 

Du Runwang and Wang Xinkai hit four 3-pointers apiece for Guangdong. Guangzhou's Tian Yuheng hit a game-high 22 points. 

"Everybody played well and we used our bench to rotate so that our veteran players had more time to rest," Guangdong's coach Du Feng commended. 

"It was helpful for the youth to improve in such a high-quality game," Guangzhou's coach Ding Wei said. "I'm satisfied with these guys' performance on the court." 

Marcus Hunter (R) of Guangzhou Loong Lions and Zhou Peng of Guangdong Southeast Tigers vie for the ball during the game in Qingdao, Shandong Province, July 14, 2020. /VCG

Marcus Hunter (R) of Guangzhou Loong Lions and Zhou Peng of Guangdong Southeast Tigers vie for the ball during the game in Qingdao, Shandong Province, July 14, 2020. /VCG

Guangdong are eager to equal the longest winning streak of a single season they set in the 2014-15 season – 26 games.

They are scheduled to play against Guangsha on Thursday, when Guangzhou will face Jiangsu. 

In another two games, Zhejiang Lions made a comeback win over Bayi Rockets 113-105, setting their sight on CBA championship this season now. Zhejiang retain their ranking at third in the tally.

Meanwhile, Sichuan Blue Whales suffered a seventh consecutive loss against Shanghai Sharks 88-78.