Guangdong get better of Nanjing in CBA League

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Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league leaders Guangdong Southern Tigers walloped the Nanjing Monkey Kings 114-79 at home to inch closer to the title on Thursday.

Eight-time champions Guangdong recently strengthened their squad by adding American Michael Beasley from the LA Lakers. The second overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft has been back in China after having his previous stints with Shanghai and Shandong respectively.

His presence has already bolstered the Guangdong squad as he accomplished a perfect winning debut for his new side.

Two and a half minutes into the first quarter, Beasley showed his defensive skills with the block and steal before passing it to Ren Junfei, who got the basket while drawing a foul to make it 8-2 for Guangdong.

Michael Beasley (L) of Guangdong Southern Tigers in action during the CBA game during which Guangdong had a 114-79 win against Nanjing Monkey Kings in Dongguan, south China's Guangdong Province, February 28, 2019. /VCG Photo

Yi Jianlian's dunk then extended the lead to 20-10 and the former NBA player added another for a 14-point lead.

Early in the second quarter, Joseph Young took advantage of Sonny Weems slipping to get his own rebound and Nanjing were trailed by 11.

Four minutes later, Weems went down the middle for a layup to take the score to 42-28 for the home side.

Beasley then hit a three to put the home team up 50-33 before going on to finish the game with 20 points and 10 rebounds.

In the third quarter, Yi had a monster put-back for a 25-point lead while midway through the fourth quarter, Wang Xinkai nailed a three to ensure Guangdong to go on to win by a huge margin.

Elsewhere, Xinjiang beat Beijing with Darius Adams scoring 39 points. Defending champions Liaoning overcame Shenzhen with Lester Hudson scoring 28 points. Shanxi defeated Bayi, Fujian saw off Sichuan, Tianjin edged Beikong, and Shandong topped Guangsha.