CBA highlights on July 22: Liaoning edge over Shanxi to stay in top 4

The Liaoning Flying Leopards claimed a close win over the Shanxi Loongs of 108-105. O.J. Mayo dropped 23 points and a career-high of 17 rebounds for Liaoning. His teammate Han Dejun scored 20 points and nine rebounds. Liaoning's Guo Ailun started off the bench but went 4-13 to get only nine points. After Wednesday's win, Liaoning followed the Beijing Ducks closely on the ranking table, trailing by only half a game.

O.J. Mayo #24 of the Liaoning Flying Leopards drives towards the rim in the game against the Shanxi Loongs in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, July 22, 2020. /VCG

O.J. Mayo #24 of the Liaoning Flying Leopards faces three defenders in the game against the Shanxi Loongs in Qingdao, July 22, 2020. /VCG

O.J. Mayo #24 of the Liaoning Flying Leopards grabs a rebound in the game against the Shanxi Loongs in Qingdao, July 22, 2020. /VCG

Liu Guancen #17 of the Shanxi Loongs dunks in the game against the Liaoning Flying Leopards in Qingdao, July 22, 2020. /VCG

Han Dejun #55 of the Liaoning Flying Leopards tussles with his defender in the game against the Shanxi Loongs in Qingdao, July 22, 2020. /VCG

In the last two games on Wednesday, the Beijing Ducks achieved a big win over the Fujian Sturgeons 115-87 while the Shandong Heroes defeated the Jiangsu Dragons 90-85. The general rankings have not changed and there is only one last game left for all teams.

The Zhejiang Golden Bulls achieved a big win over the Qingdao Eagles 102-85, remaining hopeful to compete for the top 4. Qingdao not only lost this game, but also saw three of their players, Zhai Yi, Shao Yinglun and Zhao Tailong leave the court with injuries.

The Sichuan Blue Whales beat the Bayi Rockets 101-84 on Wednesday, putting an end to the team's nine-straight-loss trend. Sichuan's Li Yuanyu exploded to score 36 points, 16 rebounds, four assists and three steals for his team. Bayi suffered their 39th loss this season, a new record in franchise history. Moreover, the team sealed their bottom position with two more games to go.

Li Yuanyu #15 of the Sichuan Blue Whales shoots the ball in the game against the Bayi Rockets in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, July 22, 2020. /VCG

Li Yuanyu #15 of the Sichuan Blue Whales shoots the ball in the game against the Bayi Rockets in Qingdao, July 22, 2020. /VCG

Yuan Tangwen #3 of the Sichuan Blue Whales celebrates in the game against the Bayi Rockets in Qingdao, July 22, 2020. /VCG

Yu Chen (C) of the Bayi Rockets holds the ball while facing double teaming of the Sichuan Blue Whales in the game in Qingdao, July 22, 2020. /VCG

Wang Zhizhi, head coach of the Bayi Rockets, in the game against the Sichuan Blue Whales in Qingdao, July 22, 2020. /VCG