Liaoning extend record winning streak to 23

BEIJING - Defending champions Liaoning Flying Leopard extended their winning streak to 23 by overcoming powerhouse Xinjiang Flying Tigers 117-103 at home in Tuesday's 34th round of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league.

The victory was also a sweet revenge for Liaoning, which started their winning streak after losing to Xinjiang 124-119 on the road on Nov 13, 2018.

Not a single minute of this focal fight was trash time even when Liaoning led 99-88 with less than seven minutes left in the last quarter. It was the first time that either side got an advantage over 10 points during the back-and-forth thriller. Hudson started Liaoning's surge with a magical four-point play, and Guo Ailun added another jump shot followed by a penetration that drew the fifth personal foul from Xinjiang's key scorer Darius Adams.

Xinjiang then turned to half-court trapping defense, hoping to force the hosts into turnovers but only to find out their baseline area was frequently raided. With their shooters failing several times from downtown and foul-troubled center Haddadi on the bench, Xinjiang lost their last chance to close the gap.

Guo Ailun proved to be unstoppable in the decisive fourth quarter. He put up 15 points in the last 12 minutes, nearly half of the team-high 32 points that he got during the whole game. Hudson tied with Guo in points, and Adams put up game-high 41 points.

Elsewhere in Hangzhou, Jilin Northeast Tigers failed to play the role of giant-killer again as they lost to Zhejiang Guangsha Lions 118-107. It was also a decisive fourth quarter that ensured the hosts' win as Zhejiang won 31-18.

In other games on Tuesday, Sichuan Blue Whale beat Qingdao Eagles 121-112, Shandong Golden Stars edged off Shanghai Sharks 110-108, Shanxi Guotou Loongs overcame Zhejiang Chouzhou 115-110, Shenzhen Leopards saw off Jiangsu Dragons 113-106, and Tianjin Gold Lion lost to Gunagdong Southeast Tigers 124-119.