NBL Round 9 (Regular Season): Hunan is defeated by Hefei

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between second ranked Hunan (7-2) and fourth ranked Hefei (6-3) was the most important one in the last round on Monday night. Hunan was defeated by Hefei in a tough game in Changsha 76-82. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Hunan. Hefei made 20-of-22 free shots (90.9 percent) during the game. American forward Brandon McCoy (213-1998, college: UNLV, agency: MSG) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 14 rebounds for the winners and Greek forward Dimitrios Agravanis (208-1994, agency: Diamond Sports) chipped in 23 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. The best for the losing side was American forward Kevin Cross (201-2000, college: Tulane) with 33 points (!!!), 9 rebounds and 7 assists. Hefei maintains fourth place with 6-3 record, which they share with Hebei. Hunan at the other side keeps the second position with two games lost. Hefei is looking forward to face Guizhou (#13) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Hunan will play against Anhui W. (#12) and is hoping to win this game.
NBL top team - HK JinNiu (8-0) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed seventh ranked Shandong (3-5) 111-59. American guard Mason Jones (193-1998, college: Arkansas) nailed 13 points and 6 assists for the winning side and Chenran Sun accounted for 15 points. American center Michael Holyfield (211-1992, college: SHSU) came up with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 11 rebounds for Shandong in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Undefeated HK JinNiu have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. They maintain first place with 8-0 record. Shandong at the other side dropped to the tenth position with five games lost. HK JinNiu will play against Jiaozuo (#8) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Shandong will play against Hubei and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
NBL top team - HK JinNiu (8-0) had no problems winning another game on Tuesday. This time they crushed tenth ranked Hubei (3-6) 118-83. The best player for the winners was Ondrej Balvin who scored 20 points, 6 rebounds and 5 blocks. At the other side the best for losing team was Baylee Steele who recorded 18 points and 7 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. The victory was the eighth consecutive win for HK JinNiu. They maintain first place with 8-0 record. Hubei lost their third game in a row. They dropped to the eleventh position with six games lost. They share it with Anhui W.. HK JinNiu will meet Jiaozuo (#8) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Hubei will play against Shandong and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 9: Hangzhou lost to Jiaozuo on the opponent's court 89-94. Jiangsu managed to outperform Guizhou in a home game 113-110. Jiangxi recorded a loss to Jiaozuo on the road 84-78. Hebei defeated Anhui W. on its own court 128-112. Hangzhou smashed Zhangjiakou in a road game 95-72.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 30 points by Jordan Howard of Hangzhou.



Jiaozuo - Hangzhou 94-89

There was a minor upset when 9th ranked Hangzhou (4-5) was defeated on the road by eleventh ranked Jiaozuo (4-5) 94-89 on Sunday. Jiaozuo made 21-of-24 free shots (87.5 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The best player for the winners was American-Thailand guard Tra Holder (185-1995, college: Arizona St.) who had a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!) and 11 assists. American forward Dischon Thomas (206-2000, college: Montana, agency: JCK Sports Group) chipped in a double-double by scoring 22 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Rob Edwards (196-1997, college: Arizona St.) who recorded 18 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists and American-Puerto Rican point guard Jordan Howard (180-1996, college: Cent Arkansas) added 29 points respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Jiaozuo moved-up to eighth place, which they share with defeated Hangzhou. Jiaozuo will meet at home league's leader HK JinNiu in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Hangzhou will play against Hebei (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Hangzhou: H.Jordan 29+2ast, E.Rob 18+9reb+6ast, Z.Hao 16+8reb+2ast, B.Artjoms 10+3reb+1ast, G.Yuxiang 7+2reb+3ast, W.Zhengxian 4+4reb
Jiaozuo: T.Holder 34+2reb+11ast, D.Thomas 22+17reb+4ast, J.Li 13+3reb+3ast, R.Liang 10+3reb+2ast, H.Chang 7+4reb+1ast, Y.Wu 4

Shandong - HK JinNiu 59-111

NBL top team - HK JinNiu (8-0) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed seventh ranked Shandong (3-5) 111-59. HK JinNiu shot 69.0 percent from the field. HK JinNiu outrebounded Shandong 39-21 including a 32-12 advantage in defensive rebounds. HK JinNiu shot the lights out from three nailing 20 long-distance shots on high 64.5 percentage. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists comparing to just 6 passes made by Shandong's players. American guard Mason Jones (193-1998, college: Arkansas) nailed 13 points and 6 assists for the winning side and point guard Chenran Sun (182) accounted for 15 points. Five HK JinNiu players scored in double figures. American center Michael Holyfield (211-1992, college: SHSU) came up with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 11 rebounds and the other American import guard Branden Frazier (191-1992, college: Fordham) added 14 points and 4 assists respectively for Shandong in the defeat. 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 an impressive series of eight victories in a row. They maintain first place with 8-0 record. Shandong at the other side dropped to the tenth position with five games lost. HK JinNiu will play against Jiaozuo (#8) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Shandong will play against Hubei and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Shandong: F.Branden 14+3reb+4ast, C.Jiuzhang 11, H.Michael 10+11reb, G.Jie 8+1ast, C.Jinchang 6+1reb, X.Yimin 4+2reb+1ast
HK JinNiu: C.Sun 15+3reb+2ast, M.Jones 13+4reb+6ast, I.Ertel 13+6reb, Z.Zhang 13+6reb+1ast, C.Tang 12+2reb+4ast, Z.Diao 9+4reb+1ast

Jiangsu - Guizhou 113-110

Very predictable result in Yannan where seventh ranked Jiangsu (4-4) edged 13th ranked Guizhou (2-7) 113-110 on Monday. However just three-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was center Robert Upshaw (213-1994, college: Washington) who had a double-double by scoring 38 points (!!!) and 14 rebounds. point guard Quade Green (183-1998, college: Washington) chipped in 29 points and 7 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was power forward Sterling Manley (213-1998, college: UNC) who recorded a double-double by scoring 14 points and 14 rebounds and guard Brevin Galloway (188-1997, college: Clemson, agency: BIG) added 22 points respectively. Four Jiangsu and five Guizhou players scored in double figures. Jiangsu maintains seventh place with 4-4 record. Guizhou lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the thirteenth position with seven games lost. Jiangsu will meet at home higher ranked Shanghai (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Guizhou will play against Hefei (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Guizhou: G.Brevin 22+3reb+3ast, L.Shusen 19+5reb+1ast, L.Scottie 17+4reb+3ast, M.Sterling 14+14reb+2ast, Z.Baole 13+4reb+10ast, L.Zhanfan 9+5reb
Jiangsu: R.Upshaw 38+14reb+1ast, Q.Green 29+3reb+7ast, X.Yu 13+1reb+3ast, Y.Tao 10+5reb+2ast, I.Cleaves 9+4reb+3ast, J.Li 6+2ast

Hunan - Hefei 76-82

The game between second ranked Hunan (7-2) and fourth ranked Hefei (6-3) was the most important one in the last round on Monday night. Hunan was defeated by Hefei in a tough game in Changsha 76-82. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Hunan. Hefei made 20-of-22 free shots (90.9 percent) during the game. American forward Brandon McCoy (213-1998, college: UNLV, agency: MSG) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 14 rebounds for the winners and Greek forward Dimitrios Agravanis (208-1994, agency: Diamond Sports) chipped in 23 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. The best for the losing side was American forward Kevin Cross (201-2000, college: Tulane) with 33 points (!!!), 9 rebounds and 7 assists and the other American import center Stephen Zimmerman (211-1996, college: UNLV, agency: Slash Sports) produced a double-double by scoring 16 points and 15 rebounds. Hefei maintains fourth place with 6-3 record, which they share with Hebei. Hunan at the other side keeps the second position with two games lost. Hefei is looking forward to face Guizhou (#13) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Hunan will play against Anhui W. (#12) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Hunan: C.Kevin 33+9reb+7ast, Z.Stephen 16+15reb+3ast, L.Jiaxin 11+1reb+1ast, D.Yuxin 8+5reb+4ast, L.Jiange 6+2reb+1ast, Y.Jialong 2+2reb
Hefei: B.McCoy 23+14reb+1ast, D.Agravanis 23+8reb+5ast, T.Meng 12+1reb+3ast, J.Walker 9+4reb+2ast, J.Hu 7+3reb+2ast, J.Feng 4+1reb

Jiaozuo - Jiangxi 84-78

There was an upset when higher ranked Jiangxi (5-4) was defeated on the road by eleventh ranked Jiaozuo (4-5) 84-78 on Tuesday. Jiaozuo made 22-of-24 free shots (91.7 percent) during the game. They also forced 19 Jiangxi turnovers. The best player for the winners was American-Thailand guard Tra Holder (185-1995, college: Arizona St.) who scored 35 points (!!!), 6 assists and 4 steals (went 15 for 15 at the free throw line !!!). Australian center Jock Perry (216-1997, college: UC Riverside) chipped in 19 points and 6 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Niven Glover (196-2000) who recorded a double-double by scoring 28 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists and the other American import guard Mohamed Kone (188-1998, college: Bemidji St.) added 12 points, 7 assists and 4 steals respectively. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Jiaozuo moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Hangzhou. Loser Jiangxi keeps the sixth position with four games lost. Jiaozuo will meet at home league's leader HK JinNiu in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Jiangxi will play against Zhangjiakou (#14) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Jiangxi: G.Niven 28+10reb+6ast, K.Mohamed 12+3reb+7ast, S.Khadim 10+5reb, L.Junxi 6+5reb, L.Jiajun 5+2reb+1ast, W.Xiangbin 5+4reb+1ast
Jiaozuo: T.Holder 35+3reb+6ast, J.Perry 19+6reb+2ast, X.Huang 10+3reb, D.Thomas 7+12reb, J.Jia 3, Q.Liu 3

Hebei - Anhui W. 128-112

Everything went according to plan when fifth ranked Hebei (6-3) beat at home 12th ranked Anhui W. (3-6) 128-112 on Tuesday. Hebei made 24-of-29 free shots (82.8 percent) during the game. Hebei outrebounded Anhui W. 37-22 including a 18-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Hebei looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was Ukrainian center Vladyslav Koreniuk (210-1994, agency: BIG) who had a double-double by scoring 27 points and 12 rebounds. Forward Yongkang Fu (200-1999) chipped in 20 points and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American point guard Jawun Evans (185-1996, college: OK State) who recorded 21 points, 6 assists and 6 steals and the other American import Brandon Sampson (196-1997, college: LSU) added 23 points and 4 assists respectively. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Hebei moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Hefei. Loser Anhui W. dropped to the eleventh position with six games lost. They share it with Hubei. Hebei will meet at home Hangzhou (#9) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Anhui W. will play against the league's second-placed Hunan in Changsha and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Anhui W.: S.Brandon 23+3reb+4ast, E.Jawun 21+4reb+6ast, L.Juntao 21+2ast, M.Yicheng 17+8reb+1ast, X.Huizhuang 10+2reb, S.Yanbo 10+5reb+1ast
Hebei: V.Koreniuk 27+12reb, Y.Fu 20+3reb+4ast, C.Lamonte 18+3reb+6ast, J.Weng 15+2reb+2ast, J.Jiang 13+5reb+1ast, X.Wang 9+2reb+2ast

Hubei - HK JinNiu 83-118

NBL top team - HK JinNiu (8-0) had no problems winning another game on Tuesday. This time they crushed tenth ranked Hubei (3-6) 118-83. HK JinNiu dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Hubei's 46. HK JinNiu shot the lights out from three sinking 13 long-distance shots on high 59.1 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Hubei's players. The best player for the winners was Czech center Ondrej Balvin (217-1992, agency: Octagon Europe) who scored 20 points, 6 rebounds and 5 blocks. American guard Michael Ertel II (186-1999, college: UAB) chipped in 16 points and 7 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American center Baylee Steele (213-1997, college: Duquesne, agency: Octagon Europe) who recorded 18 points and 7 rebounds and the other American import point guard Keifer Sykes (183-1993, college: Green Bay) added 16 points respectively. Both teams had four players each who 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. The victory was the eighth consecutive win for HK JinNiu. They maintain first place with 8-0 record. Hubei lost their third game in a row. They dropped to the eleventh position with six games lost. They share it with Anhui W.. HK JinNiu will meet Jiaozuo (#8) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Hubei will play against Shandong and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hubei: G.Xiaopeng 20+1reb, S.Baylee 18+7reb, S.Keifer 16+3reb+3ast, W.Xiaoming 12+1reb+1ast, P.Eric 4+1reb+1ast, L.Zhenhao 3+2reb+1ast
HK JinNiu: O.Balvin 20+6reb+3ast, I.Ertel 16+7reb+2ast, E.Anosike 16+1reb+2ast, J.Dong 15+3reb+3ast, C.Sun 10+1reb+3ast, M.Jones 9+5reb+10ast

Zhangjiakou - Hangzhou 72-95

There was no surprise when bottom-ranked Zhangjiakou (0-9) was outplayed at home by ninth ranked Hangzhou (4-5) 95-72 on Tuesday. Hangzhou made 21-of-26 free shots (80.8 percent) during the game. They also forced 23 Zhangjiakou turnovers. The best player for the winners was American guard Rob Edwards (196-1997, college: Arizona St.) who scored 26 points and 8 rebounds. American-Puerto Rican point guard Jordan Howard (180-1996, college: Cent Arkansas) chipped in 30 points. At the other side the best for losing team was DR Congolese center Viny Okouo (214-1997) who recorded a double-double by scoring 23 points and 16 rebounds and forward Yutian Li (195-2005) added 16 points and 5 rebounds respectively. Four Zhangjiakou players scored in double figures. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Hangzhou moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Jiaozuo. Zhangjiakou lost their ninth game in a row. They still close the standings with nine games lost. Hangzhou will meet higher ranked Hebei (#4) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Zhangjiakou will play against Jiangxi (#6) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Zhangjiakou: O.Viny 23+16reb+2ast, L.Yutian 16+5reb+2ast, M.Kenneth 12+6reb+1ast, S.Yudi 10+5reb+3ast, L.Junjie 9+2reb+3ast, C.Jiahui 1+2reb+1ast
Hangzhou: J.Howard 30+1reb+1ast, R.Edwards 26+8reb+3ast, A.Butjankovs 15+8reb, X.Zhang 9+1reb+2ast, Z.Wei 8+12reb, Q.Liu 4+4reb