The CBA returned to action after the FIBA Qualifying Break on Thursday. The Guangdong Southern Tigers continued their so-far perfect campaign by crushing Shanghai 138 to 101, improving their record to 16 wins in 16 games. The eight-time champions are six away from Bayi's record of 22 straight to start a season.
The visitors Shanghai began well as Luis Scola led his side to take a three points lead at the end of first quarter, who finished with a game-high 34 points.
Guangdong's Zhao Rui (L) dribbles the ball against Shanghai's Luis Scola during the CBA match which Guangdong beat Shanghai 138-101 in Dongguan, China, December 6, 2018. /VCG Photo
However, Guangdong fought back in second quarter after Zhou Peng, Yi Jianlian and Zhao Rui contributed some three-pointers. The Southern Tigers continued to dominate after half-time, and Guangdong secured the victory by 37 points lead.
"Due to the international break, most of the players had not played a competitive game in nearly two weeks," said Du Feng, head coach of Guangdong. "In the early stage of this contest, the team had trouble finding their peak level, and that resulted in a low shooting percentage. But they gradually got better as the evening progressed."
In other action, Hu Jinqiu's 30 points led second-place Guangsha past Hangzhou rivals Zhejiang. Pierre Jackson scored 34 as Beikong stunned Shandong. Wang Zhelin had 43 points and 22 rebounds in Fujian's win over Tianjin, becoming the first domestic player since Yao Ming to join the 40/20 club. Shenzhen stomped Bayi, Qingdao downed Jilin, and Jiangsu overcame Jamaal Franklin's 47-point triple-double to put away Sichuan.