CBA: Xinjiang Flying Tigers trounce Shanghai Sharks

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In the ongoing Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) League, Xinjiang Flying Tigers notched up a hard-fought 103-97 win over Shanghai Sharks at home on Saturday.

The Flying Tigers were shorthanded as they played the game without 2017 Finals MVP Darius Adams or sharpshooter Li Gen, but Zeng Lingxu and Hamed Haddadi stepped up for the hosts.

Earlier, the home side started strong as Zeng raced downcourt for two of his game-high 29 points, increasing the lead to four.

Later in the first quarter, Haddadi spun in the lane and sunk the hook shot, en route to 28 points and 25 rebounds.

Yu Changdong then dished to Zeng for a wide-open three-ball, and the cushion expanded to a dozen.

Shanghai battled back in the second, as Luis Scola cut the deficit to a deuce.

Xinjiang continued to push after half-time, as Zhou Yixiang drilled three of his 19.

And when Yu missed a jump shot, Haddadi was there for the put-back and-one, with less than a minute left in the third quarter.

The Sharks rallied in the fourth, as Jimmer Fredette found Luo Hanchen, who tied things at 91.

The Flying Tigers then turned to Zhou with less than 30 seconds remaining, and his triple increased their edge to four, before the hosts hung on to win by a margin of six.

Guangdong's Yi Jianlian shoots during the game against Shanxi in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, January 26, 2019. /VCG Photo

Elsewhere, league leaders Guangdong won again as Yi Jianlian scored 28 while Sonny Weems added 27, overcoming 41 from Shabazz Muhammad in a losing effort for Shanxi.

Courtney Fortson had 33 points and 17 assists, while Hu Jinqiu contributed 31 points and 14 rebounds for Guangsha, who beat Sichuan in spite of Jamal Franklin's 47 points and 11 assists.