Zhejiang Golden Bulls give Shanghai Sharks third straight loss

The Zhejiang Golden Bulls defeated the Shanghai Sharks 106-93 in Jinhua, east China's Zhejiang Province, on Monday, extending the Sharks' losing streak to three games.

Though Zhejiang's ace guard Wu Qian couldn't play in the game due to injury, Cheng Shuaipeng provided enough offensive firepower off the bench by draining four triples and scoring 22 points and six assists. Paris Bass shot 12-for-24 from the field for a game-high 30 points in addition to 11 rebounds and six assists for the home team.

Shanghai led 29-23 in the first quarter during which Bass' minutes were limited after committing two fouls. When he came back in the second, he was like a tiger out of a cage, dropping 23 points in the second and third quarters. All five of his field goals (FGs) fell through the net in the third, including two outside the 3-point line.

Cheng added nine points in the third quarter after which Zhejiang led by 11 points, 84-73. Shanghai fought hard in the fourth to come back, but their efforts were shut down by Cheng's two consecutive triples at the end of the game.

In the other game on the night, the Qingdao Eagles beat defending champions the Liaoning Flying Leopards 96-79 in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province.

Qingdao outscored Liaoning 34-19 in the first quarter to sit on a double-digit lead early in the battle. Though the visitors managed to cut their deficit to four points, 52-48, in the second, most of their scorers struggled to make shots.

Qingdao led by no more than five points during most of the second half until Quinndary Weatherspoon stood up to seal the deal at the end of the fourth quarter. He got 11 points within three minutes for the home team to drive a 12-0 run and lead 87-72 when there were three minutes left. Liaoning, which shot 29-for-68 from the field in general, scored only seven points before the end of the game, suffering their second loss of the season.