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. 🌟🏆
