NBL Round 5 (Regular Season): Hunan lose to Jiangsu YS in the game between Top 4 teams

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between Top Four teams took place in Changsha. Second-ranked host Hunan (4-2) was smashed by third ranked Jiangsu YS (4-2) 121-97. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Hunan. Jiangsu YS shot 63.2 percent from the field. They shot the lights out from three sinking 22 long-distance shots on high 59.5 percentage. Jiangsu YS looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Hunan's players. Czech Tomas Kyzlink (198-1993) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 35 points (!!!) and 11 assists (on 13-of-16 shooting from the field) for the winners and Slovakian power forward Vladimir Brodziansky (210-1994, college: TCU, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 20 points and 4 assists. American guard Grant Sherfield (188-1999, college: Oklahoma, agency: Octagon Europe) responded with 29 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Jiangsu YS moved-up to second place, which they share with Hunan and Hefei. Jiangsu YS is looking forward to face Hefei (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Hunan will play against Hubei and is hoping to win this game.
Guangxi has registered their first victory this season after five consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Hubei (0-6) 94-80. Serbian center Djordje Gagic (210-1990, agency: Alti Sport) nailed a double-double by scoring 12 points and 15 rebounds for the winning side and Joe Lawson accounted for 17 points and 4 assists. Guard Xiaoming Wang (190-1995) came up with 35 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds for Hubei in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guangxi maintains seventh place with 1-5 record. It was Hubei's sixth loss in a row. They still close the standings with six games lost. Guangxi will play against league's leader HK JinNiu in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Hubei will play against Jiangxi (#6) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
NBL top team - HK JinNiu (5-1) added another victory to their record on Tuesday. This time they beat fifth ranked Jiangxi (3-3) 99-94. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was Scottie James Jr who scored 28 points and 6 rebounds. Melvin Frazier Jr produced 30 points and 8 rebounds for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. HK JinNiu have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 5-1 record. Jiangxi at the other side keeps the fifth position with three games lost. They share it with Hebei. HK JinNiu will meet at home Guangxi (#7) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Jiangxi will play against Hubei and hope to secure a win.

In the last game of round 5 Hebei lost to Hefei on the opponent's court 104-110.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 29 points and 4 assists by Isaiah Briscoe of Jiangxi.



Hunan - Jiangsu YS 97-121

The game between Top Four teams took place in Changsha. Second-ranked host Hunan (4-2) was smashed by third ranked Jiangsu YS (4-2) 121-97. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Hunan. Jiangsu YS shot 63.2 percent from the field. They shot the lights out from three sinking 22 long-distance shots on high 59.5 percentage. Jiangsu YS looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Hunan's players. Czech Tomas Kyzlink (198-1993) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 35 points (!!!) and 11 assists (on 13-of-16 shooting from the field) for the winners and Slovakian power forward Vladimir Brodziansky (210-1994, college: TCU, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 20 points and 4 assists. Five Jiangsu YS players scored in double figures. American guard Grant Sherfield (188-1999, college: Oklahoma, agency: Octagon Europe) responded with 29 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import power forward Dakari Johnson (213-1995, college: Kentucky) scored 16 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. Jiangsu YS moved-up to second place, which they share with Hunan and Hefei. Jiangsu YS is looking forward to face Hefei (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Hunan will play against Hubei and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Jiangsu YS: K.Tomas 35+4reb+11ast, B.Vladimir 20+4reb+4ast, B.Ondrej 15+6reb+5ast, S.Jianhua 14+1reb, H.Zhang 13+3reb+2ast, Y.Xiang 11+3reb+5ast
Hunan: S.Grant 29+7reb+4ast, J.Dakari 16+3reb+3ast, L.Zhanglin 11+3reb+1ast, Y.Yue 10, G.Yan 9+1reb, Y.Jialong 8+7reb

Guangxi - Hubei 94-80

Guangxi has registered their first victory this season after five consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Hubei (0-6) 94-80. Guangxi dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Hubei's 36. Guangxi players were unselfish on offense dishing 29 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Hubei's players. Serbian center Djordje Gagic (210-1990, agency: Alti Sport) nailed a double-double by scoring 12 points and 15 rebounds for the winning side and American Joe Lawson (200-1992, college: Indianapolis) accounted for 17 points and 4 assists. Lawson is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Guangxi players scored in double figures. Guard Xiaoming Wang (190-1995) came up with 35 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds and American point guard Damian Chong-Qui (173-1998, college: PFW) added 15 points and 9 assists respectively for Hubei in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guangxi maintains seventh place with 1-5 record. It was Hubei's sixth loss in a row. They still close the standings with six games lost. Guangxi will play against league's leader HK JinNiu in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Hubei will play against Jiangxi (#6) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Guangxi: P.Zhenglin 17+1reb+6ast, L.Joe 17+3reb+4ast, W.Siqi 13+3ast, G.Djordje 12+15reb+1ast, W.Chung-Tsun 6, L.MingHao 3+7reb+5ast
Hubei: W.Xiaoming 35+6reb+2ast, C.Damian 15+4reb+9ast, X.Shiwei 8+11reb+2ast, X.Haoyu 7+7reb, B.Dejan 7+2reb, C.Jeantal 6+6reb

Hefei - Hebei 110-104

Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both fourth ranked Hefei and 6th ranked Hebei had identical 3-2 record. This time Hefei used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Hebei 110-104 on Monday night. Hefei shot 65.1 percent from the field. The best player for the winners was American Gerry Blakes (193-1993, college: Arizona St.) who scored 34 points (!!!), 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Forward Zihao Liu (198-1993) chipped in 19 points and 5 rebounds. Five Hefei players scored in double figures. Nigerian-American swingman EJ Anosike (199-1998, college: CS Fullerton) produced 41 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds (on 16-of-20 shooting from the field) and center Refukati Jiang (204-1998) added 18 points and 7 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Hefei (4-2) moved-up to second place, which they share with Hunan and Jiangsu YS. Hebei at the other side dropped to the fifth position with three games lost. They share it with Jiangxi. Hefei will meet league's second-placed Jiangsu YS in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Hebei will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Hefei: B.Gerry 34+8reb+5ast, L.Zihao 19+5reb+2ast, P.Radoslav 16+6reb+1ast, A.Dimitrios 14+5reb+1ast, Y.Wenbo 13+2reb+2ast, Z.Xiran 6+2ast
Hebei: A.E.J. 41+8reb+3ast, J.Refukati 18+7reb+3ast, X.Fuwen 10+2ast, P.Eric 9+1reb+1ast, W.Davion 5, C.Yusheng 5+2reb+1ast

HK JinNiu - Jiangxi 99-94

NBL top team - HK JinNiu (5-1) added another victory to their record on Tuesday. This time they beat fifth ranked Jiangxi (3-3) 99-94. HK JinNiu made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was forward Scottie James Jr (202-1996, college: Liberty, agency: Pensack Sports) who scored 28 points and 6 rebounds. Guard Michael Ertel II (186-1999, college: UAB) chipped in 30 points. Swingman Melvin Frazier Jr (196-1996, college: Tulane) produced 30 points and 8 rebounds and point guard Isaiah Briscoe (190-1996, college: Kentucky) added 29 points and 4 assists (perfect behind the arc making all five shots) respectively for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. HK JinNiu have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 5-1 record. Jiangxi at the other side keeps the fifth position with three games lost. They share it with Hebei. HK JinNiu will meet at home Guangxi (#7) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Jiangxi will play against Hubei and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
HK JinNiu: E.II Michael 30+2reb+3ast, J.Jr. Scottie 28+6reb+1ast, D.Jian 10+3reb+2ast, C.Josh 9+6reb+2ast, S.Chenran 8+3reb+5ast, Y.Wenxue 5+4reb+3ast
Jiangxi: F.Jr. Melvin 30+8reb+2ast, B.Isaiah 29+4reb+4ast, U.Robert 17+8reb+3ast, R.Jiahao 7+4reb+2ast, W.Yixiong 5+4reb, L.Shusen 2+3reb+1ast