Guo Ailun (R) of Liaoning competes during a match between Liaoning Flying Leopards and Guangzhou Loong Lions at the newly resumed 2019-2020 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, on June 23, 2020. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)
QINGDAO, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Former NBA star O.J. Mayo made his CBA debut but failed to help Liaoning Flying Leopards avoid a two-game losing steak here on Tuesday.
Mayo, the No. 3 overall pick of the 2008 NBA draft, was activated by Liaoning two days before the match. He had 28 points and six rebounds as the former CBA champions narrowly lost to Guangzhou Loong Lions 106-102.
"O.J. Mayo did a great job today, showed good skill and sense, but he still needs to integrate into the team as soon as possible," said Guo Shiqiang, head coach of Liaoning.
"Poor defense caused our defeat, we let our opponents made 15 three-pointers. We did much better on rebounds than last game," added Guo.
Liaoning's Guo Ailun finished with a game-high 32 points, and Han Dejun had 24 points and 14 rebounds. Marcus Georges-Hunt collected 29 points and 15 rebounds for Guangzhou.
Guangzhou took its biggest lead of the game at 24-8 in the first quarter, but Liaoning bounced back to tie the scores at 46-46 going into half-time.
Mayo's three-pointer gave Liaoning a 91-88 lead midway through the fourth, before Hunt scored seven points in a row to put Guangzhou 99-95 up with 2:23 left in the game.
Chen Yingjun sealed the victory for Guangzhou with a jump shot and 4-for-4 shooting from the free throw line.
"Liaoning is a great team, we are well prepared for this game, I feel grateful to my players," said Guangzhou's head coach Ding Wei. Enditem
