BEIJING - The Liaoning Flying Leopards smashed the Shanghai Sharks 105-78 while the Jilin Northeast Tigers downed the Shandong Heroes 101-92 in the 2022-2023 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league on Wednesday.

Shanghai started the game with a 7-0 run before Kyle Fogg shot behind the arc to score the first three points in Liaoning's season debut at home. Together with the home fans, the team witnessed their 2021-2022 season championship banner unveiled before tip-off.

The defending champions surpassed Shanghai following a three-pointer from Zhang Zhenlin, who shone in his home debut with consecutive dunks after interval. The game gradually became a one-sided affair as Liaoning extended their lead to over 30 points in the last quarter.

Six Liaoning players scored double digits as Zhang Zhenlin had a game high of 28 points. Melo Trimble led Shanghai with 17 points.

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Six players from the Liaoning Flying Leopards scored double digits as Zhang Zhenlin had a game high of 28 points. Melo Trimble led the Shanghai Sharks with 17 points

Dominique Jones, who just set an all-time assist record three days ago, had a triple double of 37 points, 17 rebounds and 11 assists to lead Jilin past Shandong.

Jilin enjoyed a double-digit lead at the end of the third quarter before Gao Shiyan and Troy Gillenwater cut the deficit down to nine points in the last period for Shandong.

Jiang Yuxing's three-pointer and layup secured the victory for Jilin in the first game under coach Gao Junchao.

"Our players played tough from the first second of the game. We did experience ups and downs, but we made timely adjustments to guarantee the win tonight," commented 29-year-old Gao, who just became Jilin's coach on Wednesday.

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In other games, the Shanxi Loongs beat the Beijing Royal Fighters 104-83, while the Qingdao Eagles lost to the Guangdong Southern Tigers 94-85.