BEIJING, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Guangzhou Loong Lions took down the Zhejiang Golden Bulls 123-113, while the Beijing Royal Fighters breezed past Sichuan Blue Whales 119-102 in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) on Thursday.
Against the champion of the last regular season, the Loong Lions had a strong fourth quarter, in which they delivered an 18-6 run to establish a 17-point advantage.
Carlik Jones led Zhejiang to fight back at the end of the final quarter, only to see Guangzhou scorer Cui Yongxi make straight baskets to wrap up the victory.
Guangzhou had lost all the last five meetings between the two teams in CBA before Thursday. Cui took 31 points and 10 rebounds. Maurice Kemp and Zhu Mingzhen added 22 points each.
Zhejiang failed to extend the winning streak. Jones made eight shock beyond the arc to take home the game-best 33 points.
"This victory is for Dallas Moore, who was injured in the last game against Zhejiang," said Guangzhou head coach Guo Shiqiang.
"It's our promise to take the win, and we did it."
The Royal Fighters led from the start to the end to get an easy victory against Sichuan. Zhang Fan refreshed his career high record by getting 38 points for the Royal Fighters. Zhang's four other teammates had double digits on scoring.
Robert Golden made 31 for Sichuan.
The Royal Fighters and the Blue Whales will face each other in the next round. ■
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