CBA Roundup: Guangsha gets first berth of playoff with eight rounds ahead

BEIJING, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Guangsha, ranking first for the time being, defeated Shanghai 113-105 in the 30th round of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) on Wednesday, collecting its fourth straight win and pocketing the first berth of the playoff with eight rounds to go.

Guangsha established a 31-26 lead in the first quarter. The 2.06-meter forward Nick Minnerath helped the Sharks to overturn the table in the following quarter.

Courtney Fortson and Lin Zhijie's three pointers made Guangsha grab the lead again in the third quarter. Just before the whistle, Liu Zheng's three pointer and Su Ruoyu's two points nailed the victory for Guangsha.

Fortson got a team-high 35 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assist, Hu Jinqiu pocketed 26 points and 12 rebouds, and Lin Zhijie contributed 15 points. Jimmer Fredette got a game-high 38 points for Shanghai, Minnerath had 33 points and Zhang Zhaoxu finished with 14 points and seven rebounds.

Liaoning smashed Aolong 116-90 on Wednesday night, as Aolong's Li Xuesong and Zaid Abbass were injured during the match.

Liaoning launched an 11-1 run at the very beginning of the match after Yang Jingmin hit a three-pointer. Lester Hudson helped the visiting team expand the lead to 27 points when the first half ended.

Veteran Stephon Marbury tried to cut the difference, but Liaoning enlarged the gap to 30 plus points in the third quarter and secured their victory.

In other matches played on Wednesday, Tianjin edged Guangzhou 131-126 to end its 11 losses in a row, Shanxi won over Shenzhen 127-120, and Zhejiang beat Fujian 124-117. Enditem