Marshon Brooks (L) of Guangdong Southern Tigers goes for a lay up during the 36th round match between Guangzhou Loong Lions and Guangdong Southern Tigers at 2022-2023 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, March 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
BEIJING, March 17 (Xinhua) -- The Beijing Ducks defeated the Xinjiang Flying Tigers 100-97 while the Guangdong Southern Tigers smashed the Guangzhou Loong Lions 101-79 in the 2022-2023 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league on Friday.
Xinjiang established an early lead of 21-12 before Beijing cut the deficit with Zhu Yanxi's three pointer and Zeng Fanbo's dunk in the first quarter.
Zeng's layup and the following free throw helped Beijing surpass their rivals and gradually extend the lead in the second quarter. However, Chris Clemons won eight straight points for Xinjiang with two three pointers and a dunk followed by a three pointer from his teammate Qi Lin to tie the game. Beijing managed to lead 52-48 at the end of the first half.
The home team enjoyed a double-digit lead for most of the time in the second half while Clemons again shone behind the arc to narrow the gap in the last quarter. Xinjiang still had the chance to tie the game at the end of the game before Clemons missed the most important three pointer opportunity.
Clemons had a game high 24 points. T.J. Leaf contributed 23 points and nine rebounds for Beijing, who played their first home game at Wukesong Stadium after three years.
"We are so excited and full of energy returning to Wukesong stadium after three years, we really want to play wonderful games for our home fans," said Beijing's forward Zhai Xiaochuan.
Marshon Brooks almost had a triple double as he contributed 21 points, nine rebounds and 12 assists for Guangdong in their victory of the Guangdong derby. Guangzhou once led 25-19 in the first quarter but a 34-19 second quarter helped Guangdong turn the table.
In other games on Friday, the Shanghai Sharks beat the Fujian Sturgeons 112-98, the Jiangsu Dragons defeated the Tianjin Pioneers 104-96, the Sichuan Blue Whales stunned the Shandong Heroes 99-93, the Jilin Northeast Tigers lost to the Shenzhen Aviators 94-89 while the Liaoning Flying Leopards defeated the Ningbo Rockets 97-71. ■
Jordan Bell (C) of Guangzhou Loong Lions breaks through during the 36th round match between Guangzhou Loong Lions and Guangdong Southern Tigers at 2022-2023 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, March 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
Marshon Brooks (R) of Guangdong Southern Tigers competes during the 36th round match between Guangzhou Loong Lions and Guangdong Southern Tigers at 2022-2023 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, March 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
(230317) -- CHENGDU, March 17, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Marlain Veal (C) of Sichuan Blue Whales breaks through during the 36th round match between Sichuan Blue Whales and Shandong Heroes at the 2022-2023 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)
(230317) -- CHENGDU, March 17, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Han Shuo (2nd L) of Sichuan Blue Whales breaks through during the 36th round match between Sichuan Blue Whales and Shandong Heroes at the 2022-2023 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)
(230317) -- CHANGCHUN, March 17, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Sun Haoqin (C) of Shenzhen Leopards breaks through during the 36th round match between Jilin Northeast Tigers and Shenzhen Leopards at the 2022-2023 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, March 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
(230317) -- CHANGCHUN, March 17, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Jared Sullinger of Shenzhen Leopards celebrates scoring during the 36th round match between Jilin Northeast Tigers and Shenzhen Leopards at the 2022-2023 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, March 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
(230317) -- SHENYANG, March 17, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Brandon Taylor (R) of Ningbo Rockets breaks through during the 36th round match between Liaoning Flying Leopards and Ningbo Rockets at the 2022-2023 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, March 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Long Lei)
(230317) -- SHENYANG, March 17, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Brandon Taylor (L) of Ningbo Rockets breaks through during the 36th round match between Liaoning Flying Leopards and Ningbo Rockets at the 2022-2023 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, March 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Long Lei)
(230317) -- SHENYANG, March 17, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Brandon Taylor (C) of Ningbo Rockets shoots during the 36th round match between Liaoning Flying Leopards and Ningbo Rockets at the 2022-2023 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, March 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Long Lei)
(230317) -- SHENYANG, March 17, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Jianshu (L) of Ningbo Rockets breaks through during the 36th round match between Liaoning Flying Leopards and Ningbo Rockets at the 2022-2023 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, March 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Long Lei)
