Zhejiang Golden Bulls end Shanghai Sharks' 14-game home winning streak

The Zhejiang Golden Bulls defeated the Shanghai Sharks 99-97 on the road in east China's Shanghai Municipality on Wednesday, ending the hosts' 14-game home winning streak in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).

After the first quarter was tied at 10-10, Zhejiang went on a 9-2 run to take a lead of seven points, but Shanghai immediately responded with an 8-2 rally, thanks to a dominant offense by Kenneth Lofton Jr. in the paint. He tallied 14 points, six rebounds and three assists in the opening period alone. But the visitors, who received significant contributions from multiple players, led 30-25 when the quarter ended.

Gabe York and Liu Zeyi kept the Golden Bulls ahead in the second quarter, and combined to score 26 points in the first half. Both sides struggled to make shots from downtown in the first half. Li Hongquan set up Lofton for a layup before the break, as the Sharks cut the deficit to three points at 52-49.

Zhejiang heated up from beyond the arc when the third quarter began. Cheng Shuaipeng, Wu Qian and York all sank three-pointers, increasing the advantage to 15 points at 67-52 in less than four minutes.

Shanghai seized the momentum when Wu was ejected after picking up his second technical foul, and Lofton ended the quarter with 30 of his 40 points. The Golden Bulls had no one to match him at the individual level, but five of their players reached double-digit points, as the visitors led 83-75 when the period ended.

The Sharks tied the score at 85-85 with a 10-2 run less than three minutes into the fourth quarter. Wang Zhelin joined Lofton in mounting repeated charges into the paint, but Cheng, York and Damian Jones helped the Golden Bulls keep things close.

Cheng's layup put Zhejiang on top 97-95 with 33 seconds left, and even though both York and Wang Yibo went just 1-for-2 at the free throw line, Shanghai only made one field goal on a layup by Liu Cheng. And when Donovan Williams missed a shot at the buzzer, the Sharks suffered a painful loss in the race for better positioning before the postseason begins.

Other games on the night (winners listed first):

Beijing Ducks 110-101 Qingdao Eagles

Fujian Sturgeons 116-111 Ningbo Rockets

Guangdong Southern Tigers 101-73 Sichuan Blue Whales

Guangzhou Loong Lions 96-87 Tianjin Pioneers

Xinjiang Flying Tigers 118-102 Shenzhen Leopards