CBA Roundup: Liaoning smashes Guangzhou, Beijing hands Sichuan 12th straight loss

NANJING, China, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- Zhang Zhenlin scored a game-high 30 points as the Liaoning Flying Leopards clinched a road win against the Guangzhou Loong Lions, 93-76, in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) League on Tuesday.

Guangzhou once led by eight points in the first quarter, spurred by Cui Yongxi's consecutive three-pointers. The visiting team quickly overturned the momentum in the second quarter via the tacit pick-and-roll combination between Zhao Jiwei and Han Dejun.

Although Guangzhou strengthened defense and rode on several scoring dashes in the second half, they finally failed to catch up as Zhang pulled off an excellent scoring show.

Zhao had 18 points and six rebounds for Liaoning. Cui led Guangzhou with 16 points and six assists.

Robert Golden posted a game-high 44 points but couldn't prevent the Sichuan Blue Whales from losing their 12th consecutive game, a 109-99 home defeat against the Beijing Ducks.

Ty Leaf led five Beijing players in double-digit scoring.

Beijing had a tense battle against Sichuan in the first three quarters. But as Zeng Fanbo stood out in the clutch time with six consecutive points, Beijing never looked back and handed its rival a 12-game losing skid.