The Beijing Ducks soared to a stunning 108-98 victory over the Shanghai Sharks on Thursday night, ending Shanghai's impressive four-game winning streak in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) and marking Beijing's third consecutive win.
Despite Shanghai playing back-to-back games and missing their star center, two-time CBA MVP Wang Zhelin, the Ducks showcased their resilience. The spotlight was on Beijing's newly-signed American guard, Zachary Nutall, who made a remarkable debut with 20 points and eight assists.
From the start, Beijing's home center, Zhou Qi, displayed incredible aggression on offense, drawing two fouls from Kenneth Lofton Jr. The Sharks initially took the lead with three three-pointers from Eric Bledsoe and Li Hongquan, making it 24-19. However, Nutall quickly responded with six straight points, bringing the first quarter to a close with a narrow 29-28 lead for Beijing.
In the second quarter, Eugene German and Richard Solomon ignited a fiery 11-0 run for the Ducks, forcing Shanghai to call a timeout. Despite efforts from Li Hongquan and Li Tianrong, Beijing outscored Shanghai 33-23 in the quarter, securing a nine-point halftime lead at 61-52.
The third quarter saw Solomon and German adding another triple, pushing Beijing's lead to 75-61. But Shanghai wasn't backing down, igniting a 13-2 run thanks to Bledsoe, Liu Zheng, and Li Hongquan, narrowing the gap to 78-76 by the end of the quarter.
In the final stretch, Bledsoe and Li Tianrong hit crucial three-pointers, but Beijing's Zhou Qi, alongside Zeng Fanbo and Zhai Xiaochuan, dominated the paint. Their relentless defense created a no-fly zone around Shanghai's rim, shutting down Lofton Jr. and Bledsoe.
With the Ducks maintaining their momentum, Nutall sealed the game with a decisive layup, ensuring a hard-fought 108-98 win for Beijing. This victory not only halts Shanghai's winning streak but also highlights Beijing's rising prowess in the CBA.
NewspaperAmigo – Your Global News Buddy 
