Zhejiang upsets Xinjiang, Sichuan routs Nanjing

BEIJING - Xinjiang Flying Tigers' 8-game victory streak was ended by Zhejiang Lions, while Sichuan Blue Whale smashed Nanjing Monkey Kings to revive from 5 consecutive losses in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league on Tuesday.

With guard Sun Minghui scoring a team-high 23 points plus 6 assists and 6 steals, the home fighting Zhejiang beat the league's 2nd placed Xinjiang 98-88.

Zhejiang set the pace by leading 28-20 at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter in which Xinjiang had more than 10 turnovers witnessed the visit team outplayed by a 19-2 margin.

"16 turnovers at halftime was a disaster," said Xinjiang's head coach A Dijiang.

Leading by 57-37, the match entered the second half and Zhejiang still maintained 20 points maximum advantage until the guest team fought back with a 24-12 run.

But the deficit was widened again after that. The last quarter was opened by 58-75 and Xinjiang failed to close that gap.

"Our players really did a good job on defense, especially on the rival's key players," said Zhejiang's coach Li Chunjiang.

Elsewhere saw Sichuan Blue Whale snapping its 5-game losing streak by beating Nanjing Monkey Kings 117-98 at home.

The first quarter saw Nanjing's advantage with dual attackers Hamed Haddadi and Joseph Young taking charge on the court, helping the visit team to build up a 23-18 lead.

Haddadi was limited by Sichuan since the second quarter and the host team gradually reversed the led.

The visitor's situation got even worse in the third quarter, in which Haddadi was substituted out before his 5th foul.

Although Nanjing's Young posts a game-high 49 points, he still couldn't save the visit team.

"We made so many mistakes in the first three quarters and we didn't do well in offence," Nanjing's coach Cui Wanjun said after the game.

Another team who ended its long losing streak is Jiangsu Dragons. With its 113-104 victory over Tianjin Pioneers, Jiangsu Dragons closed its 6-game losing streak while Tianjin Pioneers suffered its 8th straight defeat.

The tough game saw a tie when regular time finished. In overtime, Tianjin's Shi Deshuai was fouled out and Miroslav Radulica's free throw helped Jiangsu to a 9-0 run to win the game.

The other matches witnessed the victories of Guangdong Southeast Tigers, Beijing Royal Fighters, Beijing Ducks, Liaoning Flying Leopards, Shanxi Loongs, Jilin Northeast Tigers and Qingdao Eagles.