Beijing end 4-game losing streak, Adams leads as Qingdao beat Nanjing
CGTN
Players of Beijing Ducks celebrate during the CBA match against Zhejiang Lions in Zhuji, Zhejiang Province, east China, November 10, 2020. /CFP

Players of Beijing Ducks celebrate during the CBA match against Zhejiang Lions in Zhuji, Zhejiang Province, east China, November 10, 2020. /CFP

Jonathan Gibson's shot in the last second helped Beijing Ducks get back to winning ways with a comeback 101-99 victory over Zhejiang Lions in the 11th round of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Zhuji, east China's Zhejiang Province on Tuesday.

Beijing had been winless in November and were on a four-game losing streak. Zhejiang, on the other hand, had found form with three consecutive wins.

Beijing were 99-96 ahead with six seconds left in the seesawing fourth quarter. Sun Minghui, who had only six points in the second half until that moment, rose to the occasion to level the game 99-99 with a three-pointer and Zhejiang held hope of overtime with only 1.8 seconds remaining.

However, Gibson, who was rested for nearly the entire second half, was sent on for the last shot and he did not fail to deliver as he made a fade-away shot against Sun, leaving Zhejiang with a mere 0.1 seconds on the clock.

Jonathan Gibson of Beijing Ducks (R) celebrates with teammates after hitting the buzz beater during the CBA match against Zhejiang Lions in Zhuji, Zhejiang Province, east China, November 10, 2020. /CFP

Jonathan Gibson of Beijing Ducks (R) celebrates with teammates after hitting the buzz beater during the CBA match against Zhejiang Lions in Zhuji, Zhejiang Province, east China, November 10, 2020. /CFP

"Tonight we deserved the win," said Beijing's coach Simone Pianigiani, who praised the team's fighting spirit after a sluggish start. "But I don't watch for wins or losses, I watch for how my players are making progress."

Fang Shuo led Beijing with 30 points and eight assists while Justin Hamilton scored 25. Sun, playing with a twisted ankle in the second half, scored a game-high 33 points and 13 assists but had nine turnovers. Hu Jinqiu contributed 28 points and Miroslav Radulica added 23 for Zhejiang.

Zhejiang made it look like a lopsided game with a 16-2 opening and led the first quarter 35-23 with the on-fire Sun and Radulica contributing 12 points each. Beijing rallied back in the second quarter with a 12-0 run powered by guard Fang to make it a one-possession game, only to see Zhejiang immediately answer with a 16-2 spurt to regain its lead.

Sun Minghui of Zhejiang Lions (R) drives the ball forward during the CBA match against Beijing Ducks in Zhuji, Zhejiang Province, east China, November 10, 2020. /CFP

Sun Minghui of Zhejiang Lions (R) drives the ball forward during the CBA match against Beijing Ducks in Zhuji, Zhejiang Province, east China, November 10, 2020. /CFP

Carrying a 60-54 advantage into the second half, Zhejiang regained a double-digit lead following a 11-2 scoring run over a turnover-laden Beijing side. Beijing put up more tenacious defense, especially against Sun, and sank six 3-pointers in the third quarter, including Hamilton's buzzer beater that helped the team level the game 81-81.

Eight turnovers by Zhejiang in the last quarter enabled Beijing to turn the tables, before Sun's three set the stage for Gibson.

"This win is very important to us after losing our previous four games, especially in such a way. It not only helps us in a tactical sense but also greatly boosts our morale," Fang noted.

Elsewhere, Darius Adams scored 49 points as Qingdao Eagles overcame Nanjing Monkey Kings 118-104 for their third consecutive win. 

Sichuan Blue Whales beat Shanxi Loongs 108-103, with Hamed Haddadi contributing 32 points, 17 rebounds and 13 assists.

(With input from Xinhua News Agency)