NBL Round 18: Bottom-ranked Henan wins against Jiangxi

The games at this stage are more interesting as they can be crucial for the final standings in Regular Season. Despite we already know who is stronger and who is weaker, there may be still last minute surprises and upsets. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Bottom-ranked Henan managed to get a seventh victory, breaking the two-game losing streak on Wednesday night. This time newly promoted Henan won against eighth-ranked Jiangxi 115-98. It's especially surprising that the victory came too easily and 17-point difference proves that Henan was well-prepared to that game. Henan (7-12) moved-up to ninth place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Jiangxi. Jiangxi lost fourth consecutive game. Henan is looking forward to face higher ranked Hebei (#6) at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Jiangxi will play against the league's second-placed Shaanxi where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
NBL top team - Anhui W. (14-5) managed to deliver another win. This time they beat tenth ranked Wuhan (7-12) 112-100. Anhui W. have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 14-5 record. Wuhan at the other side dropped to the bottom place with 12 games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Anhui W. will play against Hefei (#8) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Wuhan will play against Hunan (#5) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Hebei was also quite interesting. Third ranked Guangxi (12-7) played at the court of 6th ranked Hebei (8-11). Guangxi managed to secure a 9-point victory 119-110 on Wednesday. Guangxi have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 12-7 record having just two points less than leader Anhui W., which they share with Liaoning Y. Loser Hebei keeps the sixth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Jiangsu YS and Hefei. Guangxi will meet Liaoning Y. (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Hebei will play against Henan and hope to secure a win.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 18: HK JinNiu was beaten by Liaoning Y. on the road 112-102. Hunan lost to Jiangsu YS on its own court 118-128. Hefei unfortunately lost to Shaanxi in Xian 94-101.

Liaoning Y. - HK JinNiu 112-102

No shocking result in a game when fourth ranked Liaoning Y. (12-7) beat at home 9th ranked HK JinNiu (7-12) 112-102 on Wednesday. Liaoning Y. moved-up to third place, which they share with Guangxi. HK JinNiu at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keeps the ninth position with 12 games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Liaoning Y. will meet at home Guangxi (#4) in the next round. HK JinNiu will play against Jiangsu YS (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Henan - Jiangxi 115-98

Bottom-ranked Henan managed to get a seventh victory, breaking the two-game losing streak on Wednesday night. This time newly promoted Henan won against eighth-ranked Jiangxi 115-98. It's especially surprising that the victory came too easily and 17-point difference proves that Henan was well-prepared to that game. Henan (7-12) moved-up to ninth place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Jiangxi. Jiangxi lost fourth consecutive game. Henan is looking forward to face higher ranked Hebei (#6) at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Jiangxi will play against the league's second-placed Shaanxi where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.

Hebei - Guangxi 110-119

The game in Hebei was also quite interesting. Third ranked Guangxi (12-7) played at the court of 6th ranked Hebei (8-11). Guangxi managed to secure a 9-point victory 119-110 on Wednesday. Guangxi have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 12-7 record having just two points less than leader Anhui W., which they share with Liaoning Y. Loser Hebei keeps the sixth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Jiangsu YS and Hefei. Guangxi will meet Liaoning Y. (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Hebei will play against Henan and hope to secure a win.

Wuhan - Anhui W. 100-112

NBL top team - Anhui W. (14-5) managed to deliver another win. This time they beat tenth ranked Wuhan (7-12) 112-100. Anhui W. have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 14-5 record. Wuhan at the other side dropped to the bottom place with 12 games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Anhui W. will play against Hefei (#8) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Wuhan will play against Hunan (#5) and hopes to get back on the winning track.

Hunan - Jiangsu YS 118-128

There was an upset when higher ranked Hunan (11-8) lost to eleventh ranked Jiangsu YS (8-11) in Changsha 118-128 on Wednesday. Jiangsu YS moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Hebei and Hefei. Loser Hunan keeps the fifth position with eight games lost. Jiangsu YS will meet HK JinNiu (#11) in the next round where they are favorite. Hunan will play against Wuhan (#12) and hope to secure a win.

Shaanxi - Hefei 101-94

Very predictable result when second ranked Shaanxi (13-6) won against 7th ranked Hefei (8-11) in Xian 101-94 on Wednesday. Shaanxi maintains second position with 13-6 record behind leader Anhui W. Loser Hefei dropped to the sixth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Hebei and Jiangsu YS. Shaanxi will meet at home Jiangxi (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Hefei will play against the league's leader Anhui W. and hope to secure a win.