Zhuji (China), January 8: Andrew Nicholson scored a game-high 31 points to help the Fujian Sturgeons smash the Shanghai Sharks 110-98, ending Shanghai's six-game winning streak in the 2020-21 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) here on Thursday.
Apart from Nicholson, his fellow teammate Trae Golden grabbed 26 points and five rebounds, while forward Chen Linjian contributed 21 points and eight rebounds. Jimmer Fredette notched 21 points for Shanghai, while Marcus Denmon added 19.
After both sides exchanged the lead several times, Fujian delivered a 5-0 run to break the deadlock, but Shanghai still entered the second quarter with a 21-20 lead thanks to Zong Zan and Denmon's three-pointers.
Chen helped Fujian tie Shanghai 34-34, Nicholson made his three-pointer for Fujian who seized the opportunity to enlarge the gap to 47-40.
Into the second half, with Shanghai losing momentum both in attack and defense, Fujian took a 20-point lead to enter the final quarter. Though Shanghai strived to cut the deficit, Nicholson and Chen kept their high shooting accuracy to keep the edge until the final whistle.
"With two players out of the game early, it was a short rotation, but a lot of players have stepped up and played well. We also had very good rebounding today," said Fujian head coach Nenad Vucinic.
Source: Xinhua