NBL Round 4 (Regular Season): Hefei beat Jiangxi by three after a very close game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 4 in the NBL took place in . This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of 5th ranked Jiangxi (3-3) to fourth ranked Hefei (4-2) 89-86 on Friday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of Serbian center Radoslav Pekovic (216-1994, agency: Olsta) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 15 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists. American Gerry Blakes (193-1993, college: Arizona St.) contributed with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American swingman Melvin Frazier Jr (196-1996, college: Tulane) replied with 35 points (!!!) and 9 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws) for Jiangxi. Jiangxi's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Hefei moved-up to second place, which they share with Hunan and Jiangsu YS. Jiangxi at the other side keeps the fifth position with three games lost. They share it with Hebei. Hefei is looking forward to face Hebei (#5) at home in the next round. Jiangxi will play against the league's leader HK JinNiu and is hoping to prove to their fans that this time they can win.
NBL top team - HK JinNiu (5-1) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed eighth ranked Hubei (0-6) 102-77. Worth to mention a quality performance of American forward Scottie James Jr (202-1996, college: Liberty, agency: Pensack Sports) who helped to win the game recording 27 points and 7 rebounds and Michael Ertel II who added 20 points and 5 assists during the contest. At the losing side American point guard Damian Chong-Qui (173-1998, college: PFW) responded with 13 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. HK JinNiu have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 5-1 record. Hubei at the other side still closes the standings with six games lost. HK JinNiu will play against Jiangxi (#6) in the next round where they are favorite. Hubei will play against Guangxi and hopes to get finally their first victory.
The game in Guangxi was also quite interesting. Third ranked Jiangsu YS (4-2) played at the court of 7th ranked Guangxi (1-5). Jiangsu YS managed to secure a 8-point victory 102-94 on Saturday. The winners were led by Ondrej Balvin who scored that evening 24 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 28 points and 8 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field) by Joe Lawson did not help to save the game for Guangxi. Guangxi's coach let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Jiangsu YS moved-up to second place, which they share with Hunan and Hefei. Guangxi lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with five games lost. Jiangsu YS will meet Hunan (#4) in the next round. Guangxi will play against Hubei and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last game of round 4 Hebei was beaten by Hunan on the road 109-99.



Hunan - Hebei 109-99

Everything could happen in Changsha at the game between two tied teams. Both second ranked Hunan and 6th ranked Hebei had identical 3-2 record. This time Hunan used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Hebei 109-99 on Friday night. Hunan made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. Hunan outrebounded Hebei 42-28 including 29 on the defensive glass. The winners were led by American power forward Dakari Johnson (213-1995, college: Kentucky) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 40 points (!!!) and 20 rebounds and the other American import guard Grant Sherfield (188-1999, college: Oklahoma, agency: Octagon Europe) supported him with 31 points and 6 assists. Even 25 points and 7 rebounds by Nigerian-American swingman EJ Anosike (199-1998, college: CS Fullerton) did not help to save the game for Hebei. American guard Davion Warren (198-1999, college: Texas Tech) added 25 points and 5 rebounds for lost side. Four Hebei players scored in double figures. Hebei's coach let to play eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Hunan have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 4-2 record behind leader HK JinNiu, which they share with Jiangsu YS and Hefei. Loser Hebei dropped to the fifth place with three games lost. They share the position with Jiangxi. Hunan will meet at home league's second-placed Jiangsu YS in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Hebei will play against Hefei and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hebei: A.E.J. 25+7reb, W.Davion 25+5reb+1ast, W.Ziqi 18+2reb, P.Eric 15+2reb+2ast, J.Refukati 5+5reb, S.Wenhao 5+1reb+1ast
Hunan: J.Dakari 40+20reb+3ast, S.Grant 31+4reb+6ast, L.Jiaxin 11+6reb, D.Yuxin 7+6reb+4ast, L.Zhanglin 7+3reb+1ast, F.Qiurui 5

Hefei - Jiangxi 89-86

The most exciting game of round 4 in the NBL took place in . This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of 5th ranked Jiangxi (3-3) to fourth ranked Hefei (4-2) 89-86 on Friday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of Serbian center Radoslav Pekovic (216-1994, agency: Olsta) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 15 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists. American Gerry Blakes (193-1993, college: Arizona St.) contributed with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Five Hefei players scored in double figures. American swingman Melvin Frazier Jr (196-1996, college: Tulane) replied with 35 points (!!!) and 9 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws) and his fellow American import point guard Isaiah Briscoe (190-1996, college: Kentucky) added 11 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists in the effort for Jiangxi. Jiangxi's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Hefei moved-up to second place, which they share with Hunan and Jiangsu YS. Jiangxi at the other side keeps the fifth position with three games lost. They share it with Hebei. Hefei is looking forward to face Hebei (#5) at home in the next round. Jiangxi will play against the league's leader HK JinNiu and is hoping to prove to their fans that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Jiangxi: F.Jr. Melvin 35+9reb+3ast, U.Robert 16+4reb+1ast, B.Isaiah 11+5reb+6ast, L.Yantao 8+2reb, L.Junwen 6+4ast, Z.Yanman 4+5reb
Hefei: B.Gerry 19+7reb+5ast, L.Zihao 18+4reb+3ast, R.Demond 16+7reb+1ast, P.Radoslav 15+13reb+5ast, C.Zeang 10+4reb+3ast, Y.Wenbo 6+1reb+3ast

Hubei - HK JinNiu 77-102

NBL top team - HK JinNiu (5-1) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed eighth ranked Hubei (0-6) 102-77. HK JinNiu made 18-of-19 charity shots (94.7 percent) during the game. HK JinNiu outrebounded Hubei 46-20 including a 15-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a quality performance of American forward Scottie James Jr (202-1996, college: Liberty, agency: Pensack Sports) who helped to win the game recording 27 points and 7 rebounds and the other American import guard Michael Ertel II (186-1999, college: UAB) who added 20 points and 5 assists during the contest. Four HK JinNiu players scored in double figures. At the losing side American point guard Damian Chong-Qui (173-1998, college: PFW) responded with 13 points and guard Xiaoming Wang (190-1995) scored 10 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. HK JinNiu have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 5-1 record. Hubei at the other side still closes the standings with six games lost. HK JinNiu will play against Jiangxi (#6) in the next round where they are favorite. Hubei will play against Guangxi and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Hubei: C.Damian 13+1reb+1ast, W.Xiaoming 10+1reb+1ast, L.Wantong 8+4reb, B.Dejan 7+4reb, S.Yuzhuo 4+1reb, X.Shiwei 4+5reb
HK JinNiu: J.Jr. Scottie 27+7reb+2ast, E.II Michael 20+3reb+5ast, D.Jian 17+5reb+4ast, C.Josh 12+9reb+2ast, Y.Wenxue 8+11reb+6ast, S.Chenran 7+1reb+1ast

Guangxi - Jiangsu YS 94-102

The game in Guangxi was also quite interesting. Third ranked Jiangsu YS (4-2) played at the court of 7th ranked Guangxi (1-5). Jiangsu YS managed to secure a 8-point victory 102-94 on Saturday. Jiangsu YS made 24-of-29 free shots (82.8 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The winners were led by Czech center Ondrej Balvin (217-1992, agency: Octagon Europe) who scored that evening 24 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and Slovakian power forward Vladimir Brodziansky (210-1994, college: TCU, agency: Octagon Europe) supported him with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Jiangsu YS players scored in double figures. Even 28 points and 8 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field) by American Joe Lawson (200-1992, college: Indianapolis) did not help to save the game for Guangxi. His fellow American import guard Javion Hamlet (193-1998, college: N.Texas) added 13 points and 8 assists for lost side. Guangxi's coach let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Jiangsu YS moved-up to second place, which they share with Hunan and Hefei. Guangxi lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with five games lost. Jiangsu YS will meet Hunan (#4) in the next round. Guangxi will play against Hubei and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Guangxi: L.Joe 28+8reb, P.Zhenglin 18+3reb+2ast, H.Javion 13+3reb+8ast, L.MingHao 10+2reb, W.Qingming 8+4reb+3ast, Y.Kai 6+1reb
Jiangsu YS: B.Ondrej 24+9reb+4ast, K.Tomas 23+4reb+3ast, B.Vladimir 20+10reb+4ast, S.Jianhua 16+4reb, L.Jiange 8+4reb+3ast, H.Zhang 7+1reb+1ast