CHN – Xinjiang nearly unbeatable at home in CBA

Urumqi (CBA) – Xinjiang have been so good this season that big man Mengke Bateer and Co have equaled Guangdong’s record 21-game home winning streak of 2005-06.

The club pulled off the feat over the weekend when winning its seventh straight contest of the season, 98-86 over Bayi on Friday.

Former China center Bateer had 28 points and 14 rebounds, while Myron Allen hit key free throws down the stretch.

Defeat was tough on Bayi’s Wang Lei, who poured in a new person high of 28 points, which included a four-of-eight effort from behind the arc.

However, he committed a costly foul at the end of the game that led to Allen’s important free throws.

Bayi head coach Adijiang Chang Bin didn’t want to blame defeat on the foul.

“It’s quite normal whether to win or lose,” he said of fouls. “There are a lot of factors that we couldn’t change. He (Wang) scored 15 three-pointers in the last five games, a very good stat.

“Holding such a shooter beyond the perimeter opens up more attacking routes. That whistle blow wasn’t that important.

“The result is a shame, but the game was exciting. I think all the players have done a good job today.

“They’ve displayed tough fighting spirit along with their own techniques. It’s a shame that we lost. Maybe we needed a bit more luck.”

Unfortunately for Bayi, they suffered further heartbreak on Sunday in an 87-86 defeat to fourth-place Shaanxi.

Wang had 18 points but cooled off considerably from long range, making just two of 11.

Guangdong, who prevailed 109-100 at Jilin on Sunday, and Xinjiang top the table with 37-5 records.

FIBA