NBL Round 16: Wuhan defeat Shaanxi

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was another loss of top-ranked Shaanxi (12-5) in Xian on Friday night. Hosts were defeated by ninth ranked Wuhan (7-10) 84-79. Wuhan have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Hefei and Jiangxi. Shaanxi at the other side still keeps top position with five games lost. They share it with Anhui W.. Wuhan is looking forward to face bottom-ranked Jiangsu YS (#12) in Yannan in the next round where they are favorite. Shaanxi will play on the road against the league's second-placed Anhui W. (#2) having rather not much hope for a victory.
The game in Hebei was also worth to mention about. 4th ranked Hunan (10-7) played at the court of sixth ranked Hebei (8-10). Hebei defeated Hunan 98-84. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Hunan. Hebei maintains sixth position with 8-10 record. Hunan at the other side keeps the fourth place with seven games lost. They share the position with Guangxi. Hebei will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Hunan will play against Liaoning Y. (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Eleventh-ranked Jiangsu YS (6-11) used its home court advantage to challenge third ranked Liaoning Y. (11-6) in Yannan on Friday. The visitors managed to secure only three-point victory 116-113. However their fans expected much easier game. Newly promoted Liaoning Y. maintains third position with 11-6 record behind leader Shaanxi. Jiangsu YS lost ninth consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Henan. Liaoning Y. will meet Hunan (#5) in the next round. Jiangsu YS will play against Wuhan (#9) and hope to secure a win.

Other games in round 16 were not that significant. Hefei was beaten by Guangxi on the road 134-119. Anhui W. destroyed Henan on its own court 107-83. Jiangxi unfortunately lost to HK JinNiu in a road game 86-103. HK JinNiu managed to beat Hebei at home 100-92.

Hebei - Hunan 98-84

The game in Hebei was also worth to mention about. 4th ranked Hunan (10-7) played at the court of sixth ranked Hebei (8-10). Hebei defeated Hunan 98-84. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Hunan. Hebei maintains sixth position with 8-10 record. Hunan at the other side keeps the fourth place with seven games lost. They share the position with Guangxi. Hebei will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Hunan will play against Liaoning Y. (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Guangxi - Hefei 134-119

No shocking result in a game when fifth ranked Guangxi (10-7) beat at home 7th ranked Hefei (7-10) 134-119 on Friday. Guangxi moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Hunan. Loser Hefei keeps the seventh position with ten games lost. They share it with Wuhan and Jiangxi. Guangxi will meet Jiangxi (#7) in the next round. Hefei will play against Henan and hope to secure a win.

Anhui W. - Henan 107-83

Very expected game when 10th ranked Henan (6-11) was smashed on the road by second ranked Anhui W. (12-5) 107-83 on Friday. Anhui W. used an opportunity after Shaanxi lost their game and moved up joining them at the top position. Newly promoted Henan dropped to the eleventh place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Jiangsu YS. Anhui W. will meet at home league's leader Shaanxi in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Henan will play against Hefei (#8) and hope to secure a win.

Shaanxi - Wuhan 79-84

The most surprising game was another loss of top-ranked Shaanxi (12-5) in Xian on Friday night. Hosts were defeated by ninth ranked Wuhan (7-10) 84-79. Wuhan have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Hefei and Jiangxi. Shaanxi at the other side still keeps top position with five games lost. They share it with Anhui W.. Wuhan is looking forward to face bottom-ranked Jiangsu YS (#12) in Yannan in the next round where they are favorite. Shaanxi will play on the road against the league's second-placed Anhui W. (#2) having rather not much hope for a victory.

Jiangsu YS - Liaoning Y. 113-116

Eleventh-ranked Jiangsu YS (6-11) used its home court advantage to challenge third ranked Liaoning Y. (11-6) in Yannan on Friday. The visitors managed to secure only three-point victory 116-113. However their fans expected much easier game. Newly promoted Liaoning Y. maintains third position with 11-6 record behind leader Shaanxi. Jiangsu YS lost ninth consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Henan. Liaoning Y. will meet Hunan (#5) in the next round. Jiangsu YS will play against Wuhan (#9) and hope to secure a win.

HK JinNiu - Jiangxi 103-86

There was a small surprise when eleventh ranked HK JinNiu (7-11) won against at home 8th ranked Jiangxi (7-10) 103-86 on Friday. HK JinNiu moved-up to tenth place. Jiangxi at the other side, also newcomer in the league, dropped to the seventh position with ten games lost. They share it with Wuhan and Hefei. HK JinNiu will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Jiangxi will play against Guangxi (#4) and hope to secure a win.

HK JinNiu - Hebei 100-92

There was an upset when higher ranked Hebei (8-10) lost on the road to eleventh ranked HK JinNiu (7-11) 100-92 on Saturday. HK JinNiu moved-up to tenth place. Loser Hebei keeps the sixth position with ten games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.