Guangdong snaps Xinjiang's CBA winning streak

With five players scoring double figures, Guangdong beat defending champion Xinjiang 98-95, ending its two-game winning streak in the 5th round action of the 2017-2018 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league on Tuesday.

Yi Jianlian makes a slam dunk during the game between Guangdong and Xinjiang in the fifth round of CBA in Guangzhou on Nov 7, 2017. [Photo: IC]

Guangdong, led by veteran Yi Jianlian, had an even game with the visitors in the first 10 minutes, and the hosts managed to get a 30-26 lead as the first quarter ended.

With consecutive three-pointers from Andrew Nicholson and Yi's efforts, the home team engined a 16-2 run to expand the lead to 13 points in the second quarter.

Xinjing's Darius Adams dribbles against Guangdong's Yi Jianlian during the game between Guangdong and Xinjiang in the fifth round of CBA on Nov 7, 2017 in Guangzhou. [Photo: IC]

Xinjiang shooters found their hot hands in the third quarter to cut the deficit to five, but Zhao Rui made the steal in the last second to ensure the victory for Guangdong who remained unbeaten into the season.

Yi got a team-high 23 points and 13 rebounds, Andrew Nicholson pocketed 18, while Darius Adams of Xinjiang finished with game-high 42 points.

Guangdong's Edwin Jackson tries to dunk in front of Xinjiang's Sun Tonglin during the game between Guangdong and Xinjiang in the fifth round of CBA on Nov 7, 2017 in Guangzhou. [Photo: IC]

In Tuesday's other matches, Qingdao lost to Fujian 128-112, Tianjin was beaten by Beijing 119-93, Shandong overwhelmed Zhejiang 95-89, and Tongxi breezed over Jilin 111-99.