CBA: Title holder Liao Ning wins 25th straight game

World
Europe

Chinese Basketball Association's defending champions, the Liaoning Flying Leopards, went on the road to face the Fujian Sturgeons. The titleholders went into tip-off looking to extend the third-longest winning streak in league history, by claiming their 25th consecutive victory on Sunday night.

Fujian got off to a better start at home, as Xie Yacai dished to Domestic MVP contender Wang Zhelin for the hoop and the harm, on his way to 28 points.

But Liaoning soon took control, and Han Dejun banked in two of his 26 to increase their edge to eight in the second quarter.

Pooh Jeter tried to bring the Sturgeons back as his triple trimmed the margin to seven. The point guard playing in his seventh CBA season would finish with 21.

After half-time, Han found Guo Ailun cutting to the rack a lay-up that broke a 60-60 tie, en route to 22 points. But Chen Linjian quickly inbounded the ball for Fujian and sprinted down court. Wang returned the rock, Chen drilled three of his 24 points, and the Sturgeons reclaimed the lead.

But the Flying Leopards reasserted themselves with Han's dunk in the fourth and won their 25th in a row.

Elsewhere, Donatas Motiejunas scored 36 points as Shandong topped Guangzhou. Dominique Jones had 46 in Jilin's win over Shenzhen. Jiangsu edged Beijing despite 45 from Aaron Jackson. Jonathan Gibson had 50 as Qingdao handed Beikong their 12th straight defeat. Zhang Hao 's 27 helped Bayi slap a 10th consecutive loss on Nanjing. And Wu Qian's 49 led Zhejiang past Tianjin.

In the standings, Guangdong have won nine in a row to stay one game ahead of Liaoning. Guangsha move to third after Shenzhen's loss, with both teams another five off the pace. Shandong are up to eighth.