Rockets Rally Past Tigers in Chinese Basketball LeagueThe 22-year-old center, who was absent due to illness when the Rockets crashed to the Tigers 139-119 at Jilin in their first encounter of the season on November 29, shot 17-for-22 from the field and 7-for-8 from the line to help extend the Rockets' home winning streak to 42. Wang, the Chinese League's MVP last season, added 15 rebounds and four steals for the hosts' ninth straight win this season. The Tigers jumped to a 14-6 lead early in the game before Bayi rallied with a 16-0 run and ended the first quarter 31-22. In the second period, the Tigers resurged with a 11-0 run to lead 54-50 at the half time and held the lead until the Rockets leveled at 105-105 late in the fourth period. Linan, who had 21 points and nine rebounds, made four consecutive free throws to seal the victory for the Rockets. "Our players were impatient when the score was close," said Bayi's coach Wang Fei after the game. "But we played better in the second half." Liu Yudong, who played with a leg injury, contributed 31 points and 17 rebounds for the winners. Sun Jun, the current leading scorer of the league, topped Jilin with 28 points. In Shanghai, Yao Ming had 37 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks to lead the Sharks over the Shandong Flaming Bulls 117-93. The 2.25-meter Yao, 20, is now leader at rebounding, dunking and blocking in the 12-team league. In Guangdong, Li Xiaoyong, who had a game-high of 25 points, scored a jumper with two seconds remaining for the Liaoning Hunters' 91-90 victory over Hongyuan. In Wednesday's other actions, the Beijing Ducks scored their six consecutive victory by nipping the Jinan Army 95-90 at home; the visiting Zhejiang Cyclone handed the promoted Shenyang Army their 15th successive loss 102-100 and the Jiangsu Dragons beat the Vanguard Aoshen 88-82. |
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