CBA Roundup: Golden Bulls win Zhejiang Derby through OT

BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The 25th round of the 2025-2026 Chinese Basketball Association regular season concluded on Saturday. The Zhejiang Golden Bulls edged the Zhejiang Lions 89-86 in a thrilling overtime contest at home, while the Shandong Heroes defeated the Qingdao Eagles 85-76 in a Shandong derby.

In the Zhejiang matchup, Cheng Shuaipeng was the hero for the Golden Bulls, pouring in a game-high 27 points, including crucial baskets in overtime to secure the victory. The Lions were led by a dominant double-double from Hu Jinqiu (29 points, 12 rebounds) and an all-around performance by Rayjon Tucker, who recorded 30 points and 10 assists.

Both sides played a physical, defensive game. Despite Tucker's late three-pointer to force overtime, the Golden Bulls held firm in the extra period, with Andrew Andrews hitting a clutch mid-range jump shot in the final seconds to seal the win.

In the Shandong derby, Marquese Chriss dominated the court with 42 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists, including a perfect 5-for-5 shooting spree in the second quarter that helped Shandong build a decisive lead. Although Qingdao fought back behind Jordan Mickey (23 points) and Quinndary Weatherspoon (16 points), they could not overcome Shandong's defensive intensity in the fourth quarter, where Chriss scored 11 of his team's 15 points to put the game away.

Meanwhile, in the Jiangsu derby, the Nanjing Monkey Kings secured a 93-84 road victory over the Jiangsu Dragons. Jaylen Hands orchestrated the offense with a near triple-double of 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists, while star guard Guo Haowen added 30 points.

In other games, the Shanghai Sharks overwhelmed the Sichuan Blue Whales 129-79, the Beijing Ducks defeated the Guangzhou Loong Lions 98-85, the Fujian Sturgeons bested the Ningbo Rockets 77-76, the Jilin Northeast Tigers shocked the Xinjiang Flying Tigers 89-82, the Guangdong Southern Tigers beat the Shenzhen Aviators 101-97, the Liaoning Flying Leopards outlasted the Shanxi Loongs 92-84, and the Beijing Royal Fighters moved past the Tianjin Pioneers 106-98. ■