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Zhang Zhaoxu of Shanghai Sharks slams dunk during a CBA game between Shanghai Sharks and Tianjin Golden Lions on Dec.29, 2011.[Source:Sina.com]

The Shanghai Sharks have gained a reputation for close, nail-biting games, but they took it easy last night with an easy 93-81 win over the Tianjin Golden Lions.

The Sharks lost the lead early in the second quarter, but regained it minutes later. Mike Harris finished off the quarter with an off-balance buzzer beater putting the lead at 47-38.

The feisty Lions stuck around in the second half thanks to forward Zhang Nan's sharpshooting, but never seriously threatened the lead after halftime.

Each time Tianjin would put together a few points in a row you could count a fadeaway jumper from Mike Harris or an open three pointer from Ryan Forehan-Kelly finding the net. Harris finished with 27 points and Forehan-Kelly had 24.

Point guard Liu Wei ran the offense to perfection, tossing a lob from half court for a Harris slam and driving and kicking to Taiwanese big man Tseng Wen-ting. Liu had 12 points and 4 assists.

Shanghai head coach Daniel Panaggio said his team's plan was to limit Tianjin's inside opportunities and make them hit outside shots. The plan worked to perfection as Tianjin took 35 three point shots and made only 8. Former NBA swingman Donnell Harvey worked hard inside gathering 17 rebounds and coming up with 27 tough points. Zhang finished with 21.

Without forward Peng Fei, Shanghai went with a three-guard lineup for much of the second quarter. Liu, Meng Lingyuan and Feng Tian sped up the game and picked apart a Tianjin zone defense. The trio combined for 6 assists in the quarter as Shanghai hit 5 of 8 three pointers.

The Sharks have been winning with their defense holding opposing teams to the least points a game in the league.

At the season's halfway point they are rounding into shape. Shanghai has won six of its last seven games and has as many wins as losses for the first time this season.