NBL Round 20 (Regular Season): HK JinNiu keep a leadership position

Coincidentally all hosts won their games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked HK JinNiu as it allowed them to take a leadership position. HK JinNiu smashed 7th ranked Jiangsu YS at home 107-75. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Jiangsu YS. HK JinNiu (20-3) have an impressive five-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Anhui W. Jiangsu YS at the other side keeps the seventh place with 15 games lost. Jiangsu YS will play next round against strong Anhui W. trying to get back on the winning streak. HK JinNiu will try to continue on its current victory against fifth ranked Guangxi at home.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Changsha (14-10) against tenth ranked Hefei (7-16) on Monday night. Visiting Changsha was edged by Hefei in a tough game on the road 85-87. Hefei moved-up to ninth place. Changsha at the other side keeps the third position with ten games lost. Hefei will play against higher ranked Hebei (#4) at home in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Changsha will play against Wuhan and hopes to get back on the winning track.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 20: Guangxi was smashed by Hebei on the road 119-88. Changsha destroyed Henan on its own court 113-86. Jiangxi unfortunately lost to Hebei in a road game 99-115. Guangxi managed to beat Wuhan at home 105-98.



Hefei - Changsha 87-85

Very important is a road loss of third ranked Changsha (14-10) against tenth ranked Hefei (7-16) on Monday night. Visiting Changsha was edged by Hefei in a tough game on the road 85-87. Hefei moved-up to ninth place. Changsha at the other side keeps the third position with ten games lost. Hefei will play against higher ranked Hebei (#4) at home in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Changsha will play against Wuhan and hopes to get back on the winning track.

Hebei - Guangxi 119-88

No shocking result in a game when fourth ranked Hebei (13-11) crushed at home 6th ranked Guangxi (11-13) 119-88. Hebei maintains fourth position with 13-11 record. Guangxi lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fifth place with 13 games lost. Hebei will play against Hefei (#9) in the next round where they are favorite. Guangxi will play against the league's leader HK JinNiu (#1) and hopes to get back on the winning track.

HK JinNiu - Jiangsu YS 107-75

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked HK JinNiu as it allowed them to take a leadership position. HK JinNiu smashed 7th ranked Jiangsu YS at home 107-75. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Jiangsu YS. HK JinNiu (20-3) have an impressive five-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Anhui W. Jiangsu YS at the other side keeps the seventh place with 15 games lost. Jiangsu YS will play next round against strong Anhui W. trying to get back on the winning streak. HK JinNiu will try to continue on its current victory against fifth ranked Guangxi at home.

Changsha - Henan 113-86

Very expected game when 10th ranked Henan (7-17) was smashed on the road by third ranked Changsha (14-10) 113-86. Changsha maintains third position with 14-10 record having five points less than leader HK JinNiu. Henan at the other side stay at the bottom place with 17 games lost. Changsha will play against Wuhan (#8) in the next round where they are favorite. Henan will play against Jiangxi and hopes to get back on the winning track.

Hebei - Jiangxi 115-99

The game between closely ranked teams ended with fourth ranked Hebei's (13-11) home victory over 5th ranked Jiangxi (10-14) 115-99. Hebei maintains fourth position with 13-11 record. Jiangxi at the other side dropped to the sixth place with 14 games lost. Hebei will play against Hefei (#9) in the next round where they are favorite. Jiangxi will play against Henan and hopes to get back on the winning track.

Guangxi - Wuhan 105-98

Not a big story in a game when 8th ranked Wuhan (8-16) lost on the road to sixth ranked Guangxi (11-13) 105-98. Guangxi moved-up to fifth place. Wuhan at the other side keeps the eighth position with 16 games lost. Guangxi will play against league's leader HK JinNiu in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Wuhan will play against Changsha (#3) and hopes to get back on the winning track.