Martin spoils CBA debut, Marbury takes 2nd victory
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Xinhua, November 24, 2011
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Kenyon Marrin of Xinjiang Guanghui shoot past a defender from Shangxi Zhongyu during their CBA match in Taiyuan on Nov 23, 2011. [Photo/CFP] |
Former NBA top draft Kenyon Martin failed to live up expectations in his CBA debut as Xinjiang Guanghui lost 102-90 away to Shangxi Zhongyu in the Chinese Basketball Association league (CBA) on Tuesday.
The recruitment of Martin has boosted Xinjiang's hopes of winning their first ever CBA league title this season. However, the former NBA finals starter disappointed Chinese fans as he scored just 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds in his first CBA game.
The absence of injured Quincy Douby, the top scorer for Xinjiang, was clearly felt on the court as the three-time CBA runners-up could not find their rhythm against Zhongyu.
Douby averaged 29.8 points and 4.57 assists per match last season.
Shanxi, a team mainly consisted of young players, fired up themselves on the offensive side with five players reaching double figures.
Charles Gaines, top scorer of the CBA league last season, wrapped up game-high 25 points and 14 rebounds. Guard Marcus Williams contributed 20 points.
Duan Jiangpeng, 21, became the biggest discovery of the team this season. He made five of his six three-point attempts, scoring 20 points.
Xinjiang new signing forward Meng Duo topped the team with 19 points. Local star centers Tang Zhengdong and Bater has six and 12 points respectively.
Xinjiang went off to a slow start in the game and Shanxi made full use of their energy and speed to deliver a 21-8 run.
Xinjang shooter Xu Guochong buried a couple of three pointers to trim the gap to eight, but Duan responded with his accurate attack to keep Shanxi eight points ahead Xinjiang at the end of the first half.
Xinjiang failed to rejuvinate in the second half, allowing Shanxi to extend the lead as large as 21 points in the final quarter. The visitors lost their spirit afterward, swallowing the 22-point defeat.
Another former NBA star Stephon Marbury got better luck. He pocketed his second straight victory with the Beijing Ducks.
Beijing survived a fierce battle, beating Liaoning Hengye 102-101 with a last-minute thriller.
Marbury had a game-high 30 points. Star center Randolph Morris grabbed 24 points and nine rebounds.
Defending champion Guangdong Hongyuan, inspired by Chinese NBA big man Yi Jianlian, defeated Jiangsu Dragons 105-90 at home. Yi topped the game with 30 points and 17 rebounds.
In other games on Wednesday, Shandong Gold beat Shanghai Sharks 98-95, Zhejiang Guangsha beat Qingdao Doublestar 111-94, Bayi Fubang beat Fujian SBS 111-106, Tianjin Ronggang beat Jilin Northeast Tigers 117-114.
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