Fang Shuo (R) of Beijing Ducks dripples during the 21th round match between Beijing Ducks and Liaoning Flying Leopards at the 2020-2021 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Zhuji, east China's Zhejiang Province, Dec. 22, 2020. (Photo: Xinhua)

Despite losing one of their key scorers, both the Liaoning Leopards and the Qingdao Eagles extended their respective winning streaks in the 21st round of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) on Tuesday.

Liaoning eased past the Beijing Ducks 105-83 for a four-game winning streak, while Qingdao outlasted the Jiangsu Dragons 120-111 for its fifth straight win.

According to Liaoning, its starting center Han Dejun is troubled by a minor injury in his right elbow and will head to Beijing for further examination.

With Han on the bench, Liaoning trailed in the first quarter 26-22, but the bellwethers soon used a 17-5 spree, highlighted by five shots from beyond the arc, to charge a second-quarter turnaround. The league leaders outscored their opponents 28-18 and 27-17 respectively in the second and third quarter and carried the game away early in the fourth.

Liaoning head coach Yang Ming spoke of the clash as "the best game that Liaoning has played this season" at the post-game press conference.

Liaoning shot 13 of 32 from downtown, with Cong Mingchen making four out of five. Jonathon Simmons put up a game-high 20 points for Liaoning, and Han's replacement Zhu Rongzhen added 17.

"This is an explosion for Zhu after long-time depression. He trained very hard and the coaching staff has done a lot to relieve his pressure," said coach Yang, emphasizing Zhu's role in the rotation after Han's absence.

Seven players scored double-digit points for Qingdao as its key shooter Darius Adams missed the winning game against Jiangsu 120-111. Dakari Johnson took a team-high 30 points and 10 rebounds, Yang Jinmeng had 22 points, and Zhang Chengyu added 20.

"Injuries influenced our tactics, but our players had good execution today, especially in defense against Jiangsu's shooters," said Qingdao head coach Wu Qinglong, satisfied that his players had taken more responsibility throughout the team's difficult time.

Qingdao trailed slightly for most of the first half until Johnson's seven points in a row and turned the tables 56-54 before the interval. Extending their lead from behind the arc, the Eagles established a 13-point advantage into the last quarter.

"We fought as one man and stayed patient when we fell behind, sticking to what the coach instructed us to do," said Yang.

The Shenzhen Aviators beat the Shanxi Loongs 98-87, staying undefeated in all their three matchups during the season. Chinese international Shen Zijie made an impressive return from injury with 18 points, 13 rebounds, and a season-high five blocks for Shenzhen.

The Shandong Heroes won over the Guangzhou Loong Lions 113-103.

The 22nd round of CBA will kick off on Wednesday with matchups between the Zhejiang Lions and the Beijing Royal Fighters, the Jilin Northeast Tigers and the Xinjiang Flying Tigers, the Sichuan Blue Whales and the Monkey Kings, the Fujian Sturgeons and the Shanghai Sharks, and the Guangdong Southern Tigers and the Tianjin Pioneers.