Second ranked Sichuan Blue Whales outlasted the ninth ranked Jiangsu Dragons with a hard fought 106-104 victory in the 36^th round of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Nanjing on Sunday.

The close game came as a surprise as many fans expected the win to be in a much easier way for the league powerhouse Sichuan, who now have a 28-8 record, a game behind the current table leader Liaoning Flying Tigers (29-7). The team shares the second and third spot with Xinjiang Flying Tigers.

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The Blue Whales win also snapped the eight-game winning streak of the Jiangsu Dragons and handed them their 18^th defeat in the tournament. It was also Sichuan's fourth straight win a row.

The visiting Sichuan trailed by as much as 13 points in the first quarter of the game, but the team was able to rally back and claim the game. The Blue Whales made 23 of the 28 free-throw shots and had good ball movement in their offense handing out 22 assists.

Former NBA journeyman Mike Harris paced the winning team with 43 big points with 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. The Iranian veteran center Hamed Haddadi contributed a double-double game production of 25 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists.

Former Brooklyn Nets player MarShon Brooks scored 36 points and grabbed 5 rebounds with 4 assists, while Chinese point guard Hu Xufeng chipped in 16 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists for the Jiangsu Dragons.

In the other game of the 36^th round of the CBA, league leader Liaoning Flying Tigers maintained their hold of the top of the team standings by crushing the eleventh ranked Dongguan Leopards 109-103 victory.   Liaoning dominated almost the whole game, outrebounding Dongguan with a 52-28 advantage, including a 36-22 edge in defensive rebounds. The victors also displayed an unselfish brand of game by registering 25 assists.

American reinforcement Shavlik Randolph led Liaoning with 28 points and 11 rebounds, while Lester Hudson added 27 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

Tagscba, NBA, Mike Harris