CBA Round 17 (Regular Season): Guangsha L. keeps a leadership position

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Guangsha Lions as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Guangsha Lions smashed bottom-ranked Blue Whales in Hangzhou 93-69. Guangsha L. forced 21 Sichuan turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. The former international guard Minghui Sun (187-1996) orchestrated the victory by scoring 14 points and 8 assists. American guard Rayjon Tucker (191-1997, college: UALR) contributed with 12 points and 6 assists for the winners. Guard Ruiqi Duan (191-2006) answered with 14 points and 8 assists for Sichuan. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Guangsha Lions have a solid series of four victories in a row. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Sichuan at the other side still closes the standings with 15 games lost. Sichuan will play next round against Jilin NE T. trying to get back on the winning streak. Guangsha L. will try to continue on its current victory against tenth ranked Guangzhou at home.
Leading Guandong Tigers (12-3) recorded its third loss in Dongguan. Hosts were rolled over by third ranked Sharks (12-3) 113-73. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Guandong Tigers. It was a key game for the second position in the league. American forward Kenneth Lofton Jr (201-2002, college: La Tech) stepped up and scored 26 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners and Hassan Whiteside chipped in 12 points and 18 rebounds. American guard Edmond Sumner (198-1995, college: Xavier) responded with 23 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. Shanghai moved-up to second place, which they share with Guangdong ST. Shanghai will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Guangdong ST will play at home against Beijing and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Worth to mention about the upset in a game between Royal Fighters (6-9) and Jiangsu Dragons (2-13), which took place in Beijing. Higher ranked Royal Fighters lost at home to nineteenth ranked Jiangsu Dragons 100-105 on Thursday. Feron Hunt nailed 28 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side. Grant Riller came up with 40 points (!!!) (on 13-of-16 shooting from the field) for Beijing in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Jiangsu D. maintains nineteenth place with 2-13 record. Loser Royal Fighters dropped to the thirteenth position with nine games lost. They share it with Jilin NE T.. Jiangsu D. will meet at home higher ranked Shandong H. (#5) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Beijing will play against Guangdong ST (#3) and will have a slim chance for a victory.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 17: Fujian S. was smashed by Tianjin P. on the road 106-76. Zhejiang GB. won against Guangzhou on its own court 89-74. Jilin NE T. unfortunately lost to Qingdao E. in a road game 67-80. Shandong H. rolled over Ningbo R. at home 109-82.



Tianjin P. - Fujian S. 106-76

There was a small surprise when eighteenth ranked Pioneers (4-11) crushed 16th ranked Sturgeons (5-10) in Tianjin 106-76 on Wednesday. Tianjin P. dominated down low during the game scoring 46 of its points in the paint compared to Sturgeons's 24 and made 18-of-21 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. Tianjin P. looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. American guard Javion Hamlet (193-1998, college: N.Texas) nailed 33 points (!!!), 9 rebounds and 6 assists (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!) for the winning side and his fellow American import forward Scottie James Jr (202-1996, college: Liberty, agency: Pensack Sports) accounted for 15 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists. Four Pioneers players scored in double figures. Forward Yang Zou (198-2000) came up with 23 points and 8 rebounds and American point guard Travis Trice II (183-1993, college: Michigan St.) added 18 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals respectively for Fujian S. in the defeat. 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. Tianjin P. maintains eighteenth place with 4-11 record. Loser Sturgeons keeps the sixteenth position with ten games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Tianjin P.: J.Hamlet 33+9reb+6ast, H.Zheng 23+1ast, B.Lin 20+5reb+8ast, J.James 15+12reb+7ast, T.Yu 5+4reb+1ast, Z.Li 5+4reb+1ast
Fujian S.: Z.Yang 23+8reb+1ast, T.II Travis 18+5reb+5ast, Y.Ali 15+1reb+2ast, L.Yiyang 8+3reb+2ast, L.Zeng 5, W.Devin 4+1reb

Zhejiang GB. - Guangzhou LL 89-74

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 10th ranked Loong Lions' (7-7) road loss to ninth ranked Golden Bulls (9-6) in Hangzhou 74-89 on Wednesday. Zhejiang GB. made 19-of-21 free shots (90.5 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American power forward Dakari Johnson (213-1995, college: Kentucky) nailed a double-double by scoring 17 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side and his fellow American import swingman Brandon Randolph (198-1997, college: Arizona) accounted for 20 points and 4 assists. Canadian guard Lindell Wigginton (185-1998, college: Iowa St.) came up with 24 points and 8 assists and American Justin Holiday (198-1989, college: Washington) added 19 points and 9 rebounds respectively for Guangzhou in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Golden Bulls have an impressive series of five victories in a row. Zhejiang GB. moved-up to seventh place. Loser Loong Lions keeps the tenth position with seven games lost. They share it with Liaoning and Shanxi L.. Zhejiang GB. will meet higher ranked Qingdao E. (#4) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Guangzhou will play against the league's leader Guangsha L. (#1) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Zhejiang GB.: B.Randolph 20+3reb+4ast, D.Johnson 17+11reb+5ast, G.York 15+2reb+1ast, Q.Wu 11+1reb+5ast, Y.Li 8+1reb+2ast, W.Lu 8+3reb+1ast
Guangzhou LL: W.Lindell 24+4reb+8ast, H.Justin 19+9reb+1ast, X.Xu 13+2reb, Y.Zhaoyao 11+4reb+2ast, L.Yancheng 5+4reb, T.Erik 2+4reb+2ast

Beijing RF - Jiangsu D. 100-105

Worth to mention about the upset in a game between Royal Fighters (6-9) and Jiangsu Dragons (2-13), which took place in Beijing. Higher ranked Royal Fighters lost at home to nineteenth ranked Jiangsu Dragons 100-105 on Thursday. Jiangsu D. shot 60.6 percent from the field. They shot the lights out from three sinking 12 long-distance shots on high 52.2 percentage. Jiangsu D. looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Beijing's players. American forward Feron Hunt (203-1999, college: SMU) nailed 28 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side and his fellow American import forward Harry Giles III (208-1998, college: Duke) accounted for 23 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Jiangsu Dragons players scored in double figures. American Grant Riller (189-1997, college: Charleston) came up with 40 points (!!!) (on 13-of-16 shooting from the field) and international guard Sanning Liao (189-2001) added 22 points and 7 assists (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) respectively for Beijing in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Jiangsu D. maintains nineteenth place with 2-13 record. Loser Royal Fighters dropped to the thirteenth position with nine games lost. They share it with Jilin NE T.. Jiangsu D. will meet at home higher ranked Shandong H. (#5) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Beijing will play against Guangdong ST (#3) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Jiangsu D.: F.Hunt 28+6reb+6ast, Z.Liu 24+2reb+1ast, I.Giles 23+10reb+4ast, Z.Pang 14+3reb+12ast, Y.Wu 9+2ast, C.Li 5
Beijing RF: R.Grant 40+2reb+1ast, L.Sanning 22+2reb+7ast, P.Reggie 10+5reb, Z.Songwei 8+4reb+1ast, J.Linjun 6+4reb, M.Zikai 5+4reb

Guangdong ST - Shanghai S. 73-113

Leading Guandong Tigers (12-3) recorded its third loss in Dongguan. Hosts were rolled over by third ranked Sharks (12-3) 113-73. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Guandong Tigers. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Shanghai shot the lights out from three nailing 19 long-distance shots on high 54.3 percentage. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 28 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Guangdong ST's players. American forward Kenneth Lofton Jr (201-2002, college: La Tech) stepped up and scored 26 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners and his fellow American import center Hassan Whiteside (213-1989, college: Marshall) chipped in 12 points and 18 rebounds. Five Sharks players scored in double figures. American guard Edmond Sumner (198-1995, college: Xavier) responded with 23 points and the former international point guard Mingxuan Hu (191-1998) scored 12 points and 5 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. Shanghai moved-up to second place, which they share with Guangdong ST. Shanghai will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Guangdong ST will play at home against Beijing and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Shanghai S.: J.Lofton 26+6reb+5ast, Z.Zhang 22+3reb+1ast, B.Goodwin 16+1reb+7ast, H.Whiteside 12+18reb+3ast, Z.Liu 10+6reb+1ast, H.Li 8+3reb+3ast
Guangdong ST: S.Edmond 23+3reb, H.Mingxuan 12+5reb+2ast, X.Jie 10+7reb+2ast, C.Jiazheng 8+2reb, Q.Trevelin 8+6reb+4ast, S.Jared 5+9reb+1ast

Qingdao E. - Jilin NE T. 80-67

Very predictable result when fifth ranked Eagles (11-4) won against 13th ranked Jilin Tigers (6-9) in Qingdao 80-67 on Thursday. American power forward Jordan Mickey (203-1994, college: LSU) nailed a double-double by scoring 22 points and 15 rebounds for the winning side and his fellow American import guard Quinndary Weatherspoon (190-1996, college: MSU) accounted for 20 points and 5 assists. Four Eagles players scored in double figures. American-Albanian point guard Dallas Moore (185-1994, college: UNF) came up with 20 points (was perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line !!!) and American forward DJ Wilson (208-1996, college: Michigan) added 8 points and 9 rebounds respectively for Jilin NE T. in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Eagles have a solid series of three victories in a row. Qingdao E. moved-up to fourth place. Jilin NE T. lost third consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth position with nine games lost. They share it with Beijing. Qingdao E. will meet at home Zhejiang GB. (#7) in the next round. Jilin NE T. will play against Sichuan (#20) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Qingdao E.: J.Mickey 22+15reb, Q.Weatherspoon 20+4reb+5ast, Z.Jiayi 18+6reb+1ast, R.Wang 11+3reb+1ast, J.Lu 3+1reb+1ast, A.Duan 2+3ast
Jilin NE T.: M.Dallas 20+3ast, Z.Fanri 10+5reb+2ast, L.Luan 10+2reb, H.Jia 9+2reb+1ast, W.D.J. 8+9reb+2ast, Z.Zhou 5+4reb

Shandong H. - Ningbo R. 109-82

Not a big story in a game when 8th ranked Rockets (8-7) were outscored by sixth ranked Heroes (10-4) in Jinan 109-82 on Thursday. Shandong H. made 22-of-24 free shots (91.7 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Trinidad and Tobago-American swingman Devaughn Akoon-Purcell (196-1993, college: Illinois St.) nailed 27 points and 6 assists for the winning side and American Marquese Chriss (206-1997, college: Washington) accounted for 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. American point guard Zavier Simpson (183-1997, college: Michigan) came up with a double-double by scoring 31 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists and 4 steals and the other American import forward Kenyon Martin Jr (195-2001) added 11 points and 9 rebounds respectively for Ningbo R. in the defeat. 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 and allowed the starting five to rest. Heroes have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. Shandong H. moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Beijing D. Loser Rockets dropped to the ninth position with seven games lost. Shandong H. will meet Jiangsu D. (#19) in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Ningbo R. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Shandong H.: D.Akoon-Purcell 27+2reb+6ast, M.Chriss 23+7reb+4ast, M.Powell 22+5reb+2ast, H.Tao 10+4reb+1ast, Z.Xie 8+4reb+2ast, L.Chen 4+1reb
Ningbo R.: S.Zavier 31+7reb+10ast, L.Kaiwen 14+1reb, M.Jr. Kenyon 11+9reb+1ast, J.Frank 10+4reb+1ast, N.Hongyu 9+1reb, M.Yong 2

Guangsha L. - Sichuan BW 93-69

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Guangsha Lions as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Guangsha Lions smashed bottom-ranked Blue Whales in Hangzhou 93-69. Guangsha L. forced 21 Sichuan turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. The former international guard Minghui Sun (187-1996) orchestrated the victory by scoring 14 points and 8 assists. American guard Rayjon Tucker (191-1997, college: UALR) contributed with 12 points and 6 assists for the winners. Four Guangsha Lions players scored in double figures. Guard Ruiqi Duan (191-2006) answered with 14 points and 8 assists and Australian center Gorjok Gak (211-1996, college: CBU) added 6 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists in the effort for Sichuan. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Guangsha Lions have a solid series of four victories in a row. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Sichuan at the other side still closes the standings with 15 games lost. Sichuan will play next round against Jilin NE T. trying to get back on the winning streak. Guangsha L. will try to continue on its current victory against tenth ranked Guangzhou at home.
Top scorers:
Guangsha L.: J.Hu 14+2reb+2ast, M.Sun 14+8ast, R.Tucker 12+4reb+6ast, Y.Zhao 11+2reb+1ast, J.Zhao 10+4reb, J.Brown 9+1reb+3ast
Sichuan BW: D.Ruiqi 14+2reb+8ast, L.Jinxiao 11+1reb, L.Weihao 10+4reb+1ast, L.Guanshan 8, D.Zhibo 8+2reb+3ast, G.Gorjok 6+9reb+5ast