Guangdong beat Shenzhen, Shandong edge Shanxi

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Powered by Yi Jianlian's 31 points, Guangdong Southern Tigers beat Shenzhen Leopards 114-96 in the new season of the Chinese Basketball Association on Sunday night.

Jared Sullinger, the former Boston Celtics player, scored a game-high 41 points and 11 rebound for Shenzhen.

Before the game, the hosts held a ceremony to retire the jersey No.8 Zhu Fangyu, one of the best players ever played in the league. Nicknamed the "Rain of three pointers", Zhu is renowned for his long-range shooting skills. The 34-year-old won eight CBA titles with Guangdong and was named Finals MVP for four times.

Guangdong retires Zhu Fangyu’s No.8 jersey before the season opener. /Photo via sina.com

Chinese rising star Ding Yanyuhang hit a game-high 42 points as Shandong Golden Stars overturned Shanxi Brave Dragons 116-114 in the opening round.

Ding, who played for the Dallas Mavericks in this year's NBA Las Vegas Summer League, produced a dominant fourth-quarter performance. He scored 20 points in this quarter and made a critical block in the last second.

Former Houston Rockets players Ty Lawson and Donatas Motiejunas combined for 43 points for Shandong. Shanxi's Brandon Jennings finished with 32 points whlie Luis Scola added 19 points and 14 rebounds.