Beijing suffered first loss in CBA

Jamal Franklin made a game-high 40 points as Zhejiang Guangsha beat the defending champion Beijing Ducks 111-95 in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league on Sunday, inflicting a first loss of the new season on the Ducks after three-straight wins.

Guangsha’s Eli Holman scored 19 points and grabbed 20 rebounds and Zhang Yongpeng added 15 points. Beijing’s Randolph Morris had a team-high 34 points and 6 boards, Sun Yue finished with 17 points, 4 assists and 2 rebounds, Li Gen contributed 12 points and Stephon Marbury had 5 points, missing 9 of his 11 shots.

The score went alternatively in the first half, but afterwards the strong scoring and rebounding abilities of Guangsha’s foreign duo made the lead to 16 points with 25 seconds remaining, extending their winning streak to four games.

The veteran guard Liu Wei had 24 points, 8 boards and 8 assists and helped Xinjiang Guanghui edge his former team Shanghai Sharks 118-90. Xinjiang’s Jordan Crawford scored 25 points, Andray Blatche had 15 points and 19 rebounds and Xiralijan Muhta added 16 points.

Zhu Fangyu led Guangdong with 28 points, as Hongyuan beat Qingdao Doublestars 127-116. Five other Guangdong players also scored double digits.

In other games, Foshan Long Lions edged Jiangsu Dragons 106-110, Zhejiang Chouzhou beat Jilin Northeast Tigers 133-106, Sichuan Jinqiang downed newly-promoted Jiangsu Tongxi 129-126, and Dongguan Marco Polo topped Fujian SBS 130-112.

Also on Sunday, Liaoning Hengye claimed an easy road victory over Shanxi Fenjiu 130-85, Shandong Highways defeated Bayi Fubang 97-84 and the Tianjin Ronggang were 112-108 winners over Chongqing Flying Dragon.