NBL Round 18 (Regular Season): Hebei lose to Hefei

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most important game in the last round took place in between third ranked Hebei (11-9) and fourth ranked Hefei (11-9) on Wednesday night. Hebei was crushed by Hefei on the road 89-110. Hefei shot 60.5 percent from the field. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 34 assists comparing to just 17 passes made by Hebei's players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Hefei made 7 blocks. It was a good game for American Gerry Blakes (193-1993, college: Arizona St.) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 6 rebounds, 13 assists and 4 steals. Greek forward Dimitrios Agravanis (208-1994, agency: Diamond Sports) contributed with 18 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Nigerian-American swingman EJ Anosike (199-1998, college: CS Fullerton) replied with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds for Hebei. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Hefei moved-up to third place, which they share with defeated Hebei.
NBL top team - HK JinNiu (19-1) managed to deliver another win. This time they beat fifth ranked Jiangsu YS (9-11) in Yannan 97-83. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Jiangsu YS. American guard Michael Ertel II (186-1999, college: UAB) scored 26 points and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Josh Carlton chipped in 15 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. HK JinNiu's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was American guard Devonte Green (190-1997, college: Indiana) with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists. HK JinNiu have an impressive 19-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 19-1 record. Jiangsu YS at the other side keeps the fifth place with 11 games lost.
The game in supposed to be also quite interesting. Seventh ranked Guangxi (8-12) played at the court of 8th ranked Hubei (1-19). Guangxi smashed Hubei 120-93 on Wednesday. Zhenglin Pang notched 41 points (!!!) and 5 assists to lead the effort. Even a double-double of 29 points and 15 rebounds by Dejan Bjelic did not help to save the game for Hubei. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guangxi moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Jiangxi. Hubei lost eleventh consecutive game. They stay dead last with 19 lost games.

In the last game of round 18 Jiangxi was beaten by Hunan on the road 104-93.
The most impressive performance of 18th round was 23 points and 9 rebounds by Ondrej Balvin of Jiangsu YS.



Hunan - Jiangxi 104-93

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Hunan (13-7) beat 6th ranked Jiangxi (8-12) in Changsha 104-93 on Wednesday. American players dominated the game. Power forward Dakari Johnson (213-1995, college: Kentucky) notched a double-double by scoring 22 points and 15 rebounds to lead the effort and guard Dezmine Wells (196-1992, college: Maryland) supported him with 29 points. Five Hunan players scored in double figures. Even 44 points (!!!), 7 rebounds and 5 assists by point guard Isaiah Briscoe (190-1996, college: Kentucky) did not help to save the game for Jiangxi. Center Robert Upshaw (213-1994, college: Washington) added 21 points and 11 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Hunan maintains second position with 13-7 record having six points less than leader HK JinNiu. Loser Jiangxi keeps the sixth place with 12 games lost. They share the position with Guangxi.
Top scorers:
Jiangxi: B.Isaiah 44+7reb+5ast, U.Robert 21+11reb+1ast, F.Jr. Melvin 17+3reb+2ast, W.Yixiong 6+3reb, L.Lipeng 3+2reb+1ast, L.Junwen 2+1reb
Hunan: W.Dezmine 29+3reb+1ast, J.Dakari 22+15reb, D.Yuxin 15+1reb+3ast, J.Dominique 12+2reb+4ast, L.Zhanglin 10+3reb+2ast, F.Qiurui 8+3reb+2ast

Hefei - Hebei 110-89

The most important game in the last round took place in between third ranked Hebei (11-9) and fourth ranked Hefei (11-9) on Wednesday night. Hebei was crushed by Hefei on the road 89-110. Hefei shot 60.5 percent from the field. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 34 assists comparing to just 17 passes made by Hebei's players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Hefei made 7 blocks. It was a good game for American Gerry Blakes (193-1993, college: Arizona St.) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 6 rebounds, 13 assists and 4 steals. Greek forward Dimitrios Agravanis (208-1994, agency: Diamond Sports) contributed with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Nigerian-American swingman EJ Anosike (199-1998, college: CS Fullerton) replied with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds and American guard Marcus Lewis (196-1992, college: EKU) added 18 points and 4 assists in the effort for Hebei. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Hefei moved-up to third place, which they share with defeated Hebei.
Top scorers:
Hebei: A.E.J. 20+12reb+3ast, W.Ziqi 19+2reb+2ast, L.Marcus 18+1reb+4ast, T.Trevor 10+2reb+1ast, A.Remu Niyazi 8+8reb+1ast, J.Refukati 5+2reb+1ast
Hefei: B.Gerry 23+6reb+13ast, L.Zihao 19+6reb+2ast, A.Dimitrios 18+11reb+1ast, Y.Wenbo 14+1reb+4ast, P.Radoslav 11+2reb+2ast, Z.Xiran 8+3reb+7ast

Hubei - Guangxi 93-120

The game in supposed to be also quite interesting. Seventh ranked Guangxi (8-12) played at the court of 8th ranked Hubei (1-19). Guangxi smashed Hubei 120-93 on Wednesday. Guangxi dominated down low during the game scoring 82 of its points in the paint compared to Hubei's 48. They outrebounded Hubei 48-33 including a 41-26 advantage in defensive rebounds. Guard Zhenglin Pang (183-1971) notched 41 points (!!!) and 5 assists to lead the effort and Serbian center Djordje Gagic (210-1990, agency: Alti Sport) supported him with 28 points and 18 rebounds. Even a double-double of 29 points and 15 rebounds by Serbian center Dejan Bjelic (209-1990, agency: Octagon Europe) did not help to save the game for Hubei. Guard Xiaoming Wang (190-1995) added 21 points. Five Guangxi and four Hubei players scored in double figures. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guangxi moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Jiangxi. Hubei lost eleventh consecutive game. They stay dead last with 19 lost games.
Top scorers:
Hubei: B.Dejan 29+15reb, W.Xiaoming 21+3reb+2ast, L.Wantong 13+4reb+3ast, X.Haoyu 10+2reb, W.Boyang 6+2reb+4ast, S.Yuzhuo 5+2reb
Guangxi: P.Zhenglin 41+2reb+5ast, G.Djordje 28+18reb+2ast, H.Javion 17+6reb+3ast, L.MingHao 16+11reb, L.Joe 12+6reb, Z.Zhong-Fei 4+1reb

Jiangsu YS - HK JinNiu 83-97

NBL top team - HK JinNiu (19-1) managed to deliver another win. This time they beat fifth ranked Jiangsu YS (9-11) in Yannan 97-83. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Jiangsu YS. HK JinNiu shot the lights out from three nailing 15 long-distance shots on high 60.0 percentage. American guard Michael Ertel II (186-1999, college: UAB) scored 26 points and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import power forward Josh Carlton (209-1999, college: Houston) chipped in 15 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. Four HK JinNiu players scored in double figures. HK JinNiu's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was American guard Devonte Green (190-1997, college: Indiana) with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists and Czech center Ondrej Balvin (217-1992, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 23 points and 9 rebounds. HK JinNiu have an impressive 19-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 19-1 record. Jiangsu YS at the other side keeps the fifth place with 11 games lost.
Top scorers:
Jiangsu YS: G.Devonte 26+5reb+10ast, B.Ondrej 23+9reb+3ast, Y.Chunnan 10+5reb+3ast, B.Vladimir 9+5reb+1ast, S.Jianhua 7+1reb+2ast, L.Jiange 6+2reb+2ast
HK JinNiu: E.II Michael 26+2reb+6ast, C.Josh 15+9reb+1ast, L.Yiwen 12+2reb, Y.Ruihong 10+3reb+5ast, L.Duwei 9+2reb+1ast, Y.Wenxue 8+5reb+1ast