Guangdong clinch 12th consecutive win on day for home team

BEIJING -- Victory belonged to the home team in all of the seven matches in the 16th round of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) on Thursday, which saw league leader Guangdong Southeast Tigers edge Zhejiang Golden Bulls 108-106 for its 12th consecutive win.

Ren Junfei, with 19 points, hit the winner for Guangdong 0.8 seconds to time. His teammate Marshon Brooks had team-high 28 points and nine rebounds. Marcus Edward Denmon had a game-high 29 points for Zhejiang. Zhu Xuhang added 18.

It was a one-possession game most of the time until Guangdong made use of the turnovers by Zhejiang in the closing minutes of the first half to establish a seven-point lead 55-48. The two sides traded points and two 3-pointers by Denmon and Zhu Xuhang helped Zhejiang tied the game 97-97 with four minutes remaining on the clock.

Captain Yi Jianlian's dunk and the foul boosted Guangdong's morale as they were sharp in attack, but Denmon hit two 3-pointers to keep Zhejiang in the game trailing 103-104. Yi was fouled and made the two freethrows, then it was Zhu Xuhang this time that fired beyond the arc to tie the game 106-106.

Unguarded Ren Junfei hit a reverse lay-up, leaving only 0.8 seconds for the opponents, who failed to extend the match into overtime with a pass out of the baseline.

Despite the loss, Zhejiang coach Liu Weiwei praised the team's defense after the match for limiting Guangdong, who averages more than 120 points this season, to only 108 points.

"We had a good game," Liu said. "We did not give up when we were behind and managed to tie the game, but we were not experienced enough and left a player unguarded at the crucial moment."

In another close game, Ty Lawson contributed a double-double of 29 points and 13 assists as Fujian Sturgeons upset Beijing Ducks 111-107. Dante Cunningham, who has been listed in the Fujian squad to replace Amar'e Stoudemire on Wednesday, scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while CBA reigning MVP Wang Zhelin got 27 points. Jeremy Lin had led Beijing with 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

After a close first half, Fujian had a good third quarter and was 90-82 ahead after Cunningham scored nine points. Although Beijing geared up to cut the deficit in the final quarter, the host held out the challenges to seal its second victory in three games.

Elsewhere, Jilin Northeast Tigers led from the very beginning to the end to breeze past Nanjing Monkey Kings 124-108 for its eighth consecutive home win. League leading scorer Dominique Jones had a triple-double of 41 points, 13 rebounds and 14 assists for Jilin.

Guo Ailun had a game-high 26 points, seven rebounds and six assists to lead Liaoning Flying Leopards past Shanghai Sharks 111-94. Sacking former NBA star Kenneth Faried on Wednesday, Zhejiang Lions beat Bayi Rockets 95-76 with Liu Zheng and Hu Jinqiu scoring 23 points apiece. Beijing Royal Fighters routed Guangzhou Loong Lions 122-105 and Shandong resisted the last quarter surge by Shanxi for a 106-97 victory.