NBL Round 7 of Regular Season

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The biggest surprise of round 7 in NBL was guest Hunan's (#2) easy road victory over Shanghai (5-2) 88-55 on Wednesday evening. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Shanghai. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Hunan shot the lights out from three sinking 15 long-distance shots on high 55.6 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The game was dominated by American players. Forward Kevin Cross (201-2000, college: Tulane) fired a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!) and 16 rebounds for the winners. Center Stephen Zimmerman (211-1996, college: UNLV, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 15 points and 21 rebounds. Forward Shemar Wilson (206-2001, college: UT Arlington) produced 13 points and 7 rebounds (perfect from the field making all six shots) for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Hunan have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain second place with 6-1 record having just one point less than leader HK JinNiu. Shanghai at the other side dropped to the third position with two games lost. They share it with Hefei. Hunan are looking forward to face Jiangsu (#7) in Yannan in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Shanghai will play at home against Guizhou (#13) and is hoping to win this game.
Important game to mention about took place in Hebei. Eighth ranked Jiangsu (3-3) saved a 3-point victory on the road edging 5th ranked Hebei (4-3) 97-94 on Tuesday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Robert Upshaw (213-1994, college: Washington) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 30 points, 12 rebounds and 5 blocks. Quade Green contributed with 31 points and 4 assists (made all of his nine free throws !!!) for the winners. Ukrainian center Vladyslav Koreniuk (210-1994, agency: BIG) answered with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 19 rebounds for Hebei. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Jiangsu have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to seventh place. Hebei at the other side keeps the fifth position with three games lost. They share it with Jiangxi. Jiangsu will play against league's second-placed Hunan in Changsha in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Hebei will play on the road against Hefei and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Undefeated leader HK JinNiu delivered the sixth consecutive victory on Wednesday night. This time they crushed 6th ranked Jiangxi (4-3) 101-68 in Hong Kong. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Jiangxi. It was a great evening for EJ Anosike who led his team to a victory scoring 26 points and 5 rebounds. At the losing side Mohamed Kone responded with 25 points and 9 rebounds. 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. Undefeated HK JinNiu (6-0) have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain first place with a perfect record of 6 victories in a row. Loser Jiangxi dropped to the fifth position with three games lost. They share it with Hebei. HK JinNiu will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Jiangxi will play against Hubei (#9) and hope to secure a win.

Other games of round 7 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
winless Zhangjiakou was crushed by Hefei in a road game 97-65. Shandong beat Guizhou at home 98-92. Jiaozuo lost to Anhui W. on the opponent's court 87-93.



Hefei - Zhangjiakou 97-65

There was no surprise when bottom-ranked Zhangjiakou (0-7) was crushed on the road by fourth ranked Hefei (5-2) 97-65 on Tuesday. Hefei dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Zhangjiakou's 30 and made 19-of-23 free shots (82.6 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Zhangjiakou 35-23 including 27 on the defensive glass. Hefei looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Zhangjiakou's players. It was a great evening for Greek forward Dimitrios Agravanis (208-1994, agency: Diamond Sports) who led his team to a victory scoring 20 points and 7 rebounds. American forward Brandon McCoy (213-1998, college: UNLV, agency: MSG) helped adding 19 points and 8 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Four Hefei players scored in double figures. At the losing side American center Robert Upshaw (213-1994, college: Washington) responded with 15 points, 5 assists and 4 steals and his fellow the other American import import point guard Quade Green (183-1998, college: Washington) scored 15 points. 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. Hefei moved-up to third place, which they share with Shanghai. Loser Zhangjiakou still closes the standings with seven games lost. Hefei will meet at home Hebei (#5) in the next round. Zhangjiakou will play against Anhui W. (#11) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Hefei: D.Agravanis 20+7reb+3ast, B.McCoy 19+8reb+1ast, R.McCallum 14+2reb+7ast, J.Zhuang 10+3reb+1ast, Z.Chen 7+1reb+8ast, X.Yu 6+1reb
Zhangjiakou: L.Junjie 15+3reb+5ast, S.Yudi 15+4reb+1ast, M.Kenneth 11+4reb+1ast, W.Ziheng 7+2reb+2ast, Z.Zibei 6+1reb, C.Jiahui 6+4reb+1ast

Hebei - Jiangsu 94-97

Important game to mention about took place in Hebei. Eighth ranked Jiangsu (3-3) saved a 3-point victory on the road edging 5th ranked Hebei (4-3) 97-94 on Tuesday evening. Jiangsu made 23-of-25 charity shots (92.0 percent) during the game, while Hebei only scored seven points from the stripe. Strangely Hebei outrebounded Jiangsu 46-33 including 17 on the offensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Robert Upshaw (213-1994, college: Washington) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 30 points, 12 rebounds and 5 blocks. His fellow American import point guard Quade Green (183-1998, college: Washington) contributed with 31 points and 4 assists (made all of his nine free throws !!!) for the winners. Ukrainian center Vladyslav Koreniuk (210-1994, agency: BIG) answered with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 19 rebounds and American guard TJ Starks (188-1998, college: CSUN) added 18 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists in the effort for Hebei. Four Hebei players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Jiangsu have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to seventh place. Hebei at the other side keeps the fifth position with three games lost. They share it with Jiangxi. Jiangsu will play against league's second-placed Hunan in Changsha in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Hebei will play on the road against Hefei and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Jiangsu: Q.Green 31+3reb+4ast, R.Upshaw 30+12reb+3ast, X.Yu 8+3reb+1ast, J.Song 7+1ast, J.Li 6+3reb+1ast, R.Qiao 5+5reb+1ast
Hebei: W.Jinlang 22+5reb+1ast, K.Vladyslav 22+19reb+1ast, S.T.J. 18+11reb+4ast, W.Ziqi 11+5reb+2ast, W.Xuan 6+2reb+1ast, D.Jiantao 6+2ast

Shandong - Guizhou 98-92

Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both eighth ranked Shandong and 12th ranked Guizhou had identical 2-4 record. This time Shandong used a home court advantage and defeated the opponent from Guizhou 98-92 on Wednesday night. However just six-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Shandong outrebounded Guizhou 35-21 including 24 on the defensive glass. The game was also dominated by American players. It was a great evening for forward Hasahn French (201-1998, college: St.Louis) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists. Center Michael Holyfield (211-1992, college: SHSU) helped adding 13 points and 6 rebounds. Five Shandong players scored in double figures. At the losing side swingman Scottie Lindsey (196-1996, college: Northwestern) responded with 34 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds and guard Brevin Galloway (188-1997, college: Clemson, agency: BIG) scored 23 points and 6 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Shandong maintains eighth place with 3-4 record, which they share with Hubei and Hangzhou. Guizhou lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eleventh position with five games lost. They share it with Anhui W. and Jiaozuo. Shandong will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Guizhou will play against Shanghai (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shandong: H.French 21+14reb+4ast, M.Holyfield 13+6reb+2ast, B.Young 13+3reb+1ast, J.Chen 13+1reb+1ast, J.Guo 10+2reb+2ast, Y.Zhao 7+2reb+2ast
Guizhou: L.Scottie 34+6reb+3ast, G.Brevin 23+1reb+6ast, L.Zhanfan 10+3reb, C.Nuo 8+1reb, L.Shusen 7, M.Sterling 5+4reb

Anhui W. - Jiaozuo 93-87

There was a minor upset when 10th ranked Jiaozuo (2-5) was defeated on the road by thirteenth ranked Anhui W. (2-5) 93-87 on Wednesday. It was a great evening for Noah Dickerson who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 17 rebounds. American Brandon Sampson (196-1997, college: LSU) helped adding 32 points. Four Anhui W. players scored in double figures. At the losing side American-Thailand guard Tra Holder (185-1995, college: Arizona St.) responded with 31 points and 6 assists (made all of his ten free throws !!!) and Australian center Jock Perry (216-1997, college: UC Riverside) scored 10 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Anhui W. moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with Guizhou and Jiaozuo. Jiaozuo lost fourth consecutive game. Anhui W. will meet at home bottom-ranked Zhangjiakou (#14) in the next round. Jiaozuo will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Anhui W.: B.Sampson 32+2reb+1ast, J.Lin 18+2reb+4ast, N.Dickerson 15+17reb+3ast, Y.Man 13+6reb+1ast, J.Evans 4+3reb, S.Wilson 4+3reb+1ast
Jiaozuo: H.Tra 31+3reb+6ast, F.Bofan 11+1reb+2ast, H.Xiaochi 10+3reb, P.Jock 10+9reb+1ast, L.Ruibo 9+5reb+1ast, L.Qishang 7+4reb

Shanghai - Hunan 55-88

The biggest surprise of round 7 in NBL was guest Hunan's (#2) easy road victory over Shanghai (5-2) 88-55 on Wednesday evening. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Shanghai. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Hunan shot the lights out from three sinking 15 long-distance shots on high 55.6 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The game was dominated by American players. Forward Kevin Cross (201-2000, college: Tulane) fired a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!) and 16 rebounds for the winners. Center Stephen Zimmerman (211-1996, college: UNLV, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in a double-double by scoring 15 points and 21 rebounds. Four Hunan players scored in double figures. Forward Shemar Wilson (206-2001, college: UT Arlington) produced 13 points and 7 rebounds (perfect from the field making all six shots) and swingman William Douglas (196-1998, college: PVAMU, agency: BIG) added 8 points and 7 rebounds respectively for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Hunan have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain second place with 6-1 record having just one point less than leader HK JinNiu. Shanghai at the other side dropped to the third position with two games lost. They share it with Hefei. Hunan are looking forward to face Jiangsu (#7) in Yannan in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Shanghai will play at home against Guizhou (#13) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Hunan: K.Cross 33+16reb+1ast, S.Zimmerman 15+21reb+3ast, J.Liu 13+5ast, Y.Deng 10+9ast, J.Liu 7+1reb+1ast, Q.Wang 5+2reb+3ast
Shanghai: W.Shemar 13+7reb, T.Jie 9+2reb, Q.Jahvon 8+5reb+2ast, D.William 8+7reb+3ast, S.Chunpeng 5+5reb+2ast, M.Tavario 4+3reb+1ast

HK JinNiu - Jiangxi 101-68

Undefeated leader HK JinNiu delivered the sixth consecutive victory on Wednesday night. This time they crushed 6th ranked Jiangxi (4-3) 101-68 in Hong Kong. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Jiangxi. HK JinNiu dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Jiangxi's 32. It was a great evening for Nigerian-American swingman EJ Anosike (199-1998, college: CS Fullerton) who led his team to a victory scoring 26 points and 5 rebounds. American guard Michael Ertel II (186-1999, college: UAB) helped adding 19 points and 7 rebounds. At the losing side American guard Mohamed Kone (188-1998, college: Bemidji St.) responded with 25 points and 9 rebounds and Senegalese forward Khadim Sy (208-1997, college: Wake Forest) scored 10 points and 8 rebounds. 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. HK JinNiu (6-0) have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain first place with a perfect record of 6 victories in a row. Loser Jiangxi dropped to the fifth position with three games lost. They share it with Hebei. HK JinNiu will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Jiangxi will play against Hubei (#9) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
HK JinNiu: E.Anosike 26+5reb+1ast, I.Ertel 19+7reb+2ast, Z.Diao 8+2reb, O.Balvin 8+6reb+1ast, Y.Lu 7+1ast, C.Sun 7+2reb+1ast
Jiangxi: K.Mohamed 25+9reb+3ast, L.Junxi 12+1reb+1ast, S.Khadim 10+8reb+1ast, L.Jiajun 9+1ast, H.Chao 5+3reb+1ast, W.Congze 2+6reb