Zagars scores 19 as Golden Bulls fall to reigning Chinese champions
Latvian basketball player Arturs Zagars scored 19 points in Zhejiang Golden Bulls' loss to Shanghai Sharks in the Chinese league. Rolands Smits added 16 for Ningbo Rockets, who lost again and sit last.
Both Latvian players in China's top basketball league, the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), saw their clubs lose in round six on Friday. Arturs Zagars scored 19 points for Zhejiang Golden Bulls, while Rolands Smits had 16 for Ningbo Rockets.
Zagars top scorer for the hosts
Golden Bulls lost 88-81 (25-24, 21-15, 17-21, 25-21 in the Sharks' favour by quarter) at home to Shanghai Sharks, the current CBA champions. Zagars played 27 minutes and 34 seconds. He made three of four two-point shots, three of seven three-pointers and four of five free throws. He also had three rebounds, five assists, two steals and one turnover.
Zagars led the home side in scoring. For the visitors, Brandon Goodwin stood out with 32 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Sharks also field former NBA (North American professional basketball league) players, including D'Angelo Russell, who had nine points and seven assists, and JaVale McGee, who scored two.
Smits' team loses at home
Ningbo Rockets lost 107-91 (26-22, 31-21, 31-22, 19-26 in the visitors' favour by quarter) at home to Liaoning Flying Leopards of Shenyang. In 30 minutes and nine seconds, Smits made all five of his two-point attempts and two of five three-pointers, but missed both free throws. He added eight rebounds and three assists.
Franko Miller was the Rockets' top scorer ahead of Smits, with 18 points, five rebounds, seven assists and five turnovers. For the winners, Kyler Edwards scored 24.
Standings
After this round, Golden Bulls have four wins and hold seventh place among the league's 20 teams. Ningbo Rockets, Smits' club, have six losses and are last.
