CBA Round 25 (Regular Season): Zhejiang GB. is defeated by Guangsha L. in a derby game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Hangzhou: Guangsha Lions (#1) and Golden Bulls (#8). Guangsha Lions (19-3) won against visiting Golden Bulls (12-10) 68-58. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Golden Bulls. American guard Rayjon Tucker (191-1997, college: UALR) stepped up and scored 18 points and 5 assists for the winners and his fellow American import forward JaKarr Sampson (206-1993, college: St.John's) chipped in 13 points and 7 rebounds. At the losing side forward Zeyi Liu (202-1999) responded with 7 points and 15 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guangsha Lions have a solid series of three victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 19-3 record. Zhejiang GB. at the other side keeps the eighth position with ten games lost. Guangsha L. are looking forward to face Jilin NE T. (#16) in Changchun in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Zhejiang GB. will have a break next round.
Bottom-ranked Blue Whales (0-22) is still winless. This time they lost on the road their 22th consecutive match to seventeenth ranked Monkey Kings (7-15) 104-72. The former international Mingzheng Zhu (196-1996) nailed 20 points and 7 rebounds for the winning side and Baiqing Zhao accounted for 16 points and 9 rebounds. Forward Weihao Li (204-1997) came up with 18 points and 5 rebounds (made all of his twelve free throws !!!) for Sichuan 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. Nanjing maintains seventeenth place with 7-15 record, which they share with Tianjin P. Sichuan at the other side still closes the standings. Nanjing will play against league's second-placed Shanghai on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Sichuan will play against Xinjiang (#14) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Ninth-ranked Loong Lions (10-11) gave a tough game to fourth ranked Heroes (15-6) in Jinan on Saturday. Heroes managed to secure only three-point victory 83-80. However their fans expected much easier game. Devaughn Akoon-Purcell fired 23 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Justin Holiday produced 25 points and 6 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Shandong H. maintains fourth place with 15-6 record. Loser Loong Lions dropped to the twelfth position with 11 games lost. Shandong H. will meet Tianjin P. (#17) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Guangzhou will have a break next round.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 25: Qingdao E. lost to Beijing on the opponent's court 64-69. Shanghai managed to outperform Shenzhen L. in a home game 101-92. Shanxi L. rolled over Jilin NE T. on the road 105-74. Liaoning defeated Tianjin P. on its own court 105-91.



Beijing RF - Qingdao E. 69-64

There was an upset in Beijing where higher ranked Eagles (13-9) were defeated by twelfth ranked Royal Fighters (11-11) 69-64 on Friday. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Beijing made 8 blocks. American forward Reggie Perry (208-2000, college: MSU) fired a double-double by scoring 20 points, 16 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. The former international power forward Yuchen Zou (206-1996) chipped in a double-double by scoring 11 points and 11 rebounds. Four Royal Fighters players scored in double figures. American guard Quinndary Weatherspoon (190-1996, college: MSU) produced 18 points and 7 rebounds and the other American import power forward Jordan Mickey (203-1994, college: LSU) added 11 points and 12 rebounds respectively for lost side. Eagles' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Royal Fighters have a solid series of four victories in a row. Beijing moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Ningbo R. and Shanxi L. Qingdao E. lost fifth consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth position with nine games lost. They share it with Beijing D.. Beijing will meet Fujian S. (#15) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Qingdao E. will play against Beijing D. (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Beijing RF: R.Perry 20+16reb+4ast, G.Riller 14+3reb+2ast, Y.Zou 11+11reb, S.Liao 10+6reb+4ast, F.Huiliu 5+1reb+3ast, Z.Shen 4+4reb
Qingdao E.: W.Quinndary 18+7reb+3ast, M.Jordan 11+12reb, L.Junhu 11+3reb, J.Zhao 9+3reb, W.Yibo 4+2reb+6ast, Y.Joseph 4

Nanjing MK - Sichuan BW 104-72

Bottom-ranked Blue Whales (0-22) is still winless. This time they lost on the road their 22th consecutive match to seventeenth ranked Monkey Kings (7-15) 104-72. Nanjing dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Blue Whales's 26. Nanjing outrebounded Sichuan 48-23 including a 35-15 advantage in defensive rebounds. Nanjing players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists. The former international Mingzheng Zhu (196-1996) nailed 20 points and 7 rebounds for the winning side and center Baiqing Zhao (204-1998) accounted for 16 points and 9 rebounds. Zhao is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Forward Weihao Li (204-1997) came up with 18 points and 5 rebounds (made all of his twelve free throws !!!) and Hanyi Jing (195-1999) added 13 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Sichuan in the defeat. 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. Nanjing maintains seventeenth place with 7-15 record, which they share with Tianjin P. Sichuan at the other side still closes the standings. Nanjing will play against league's second-placed Shanghai on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Sichuan will play against Xinjiang (#14) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Nanjing MK: M.Zhu 20+7reb+2ast, H.Guo 20+2reb+4ast, B.Zhao 16+9reb+1ast, B.Manek 13+6reb+2ast, J.Hands 11+2reb+7ast, B.Li 10
Sichuan BW: L.Weihao 18+5reb+2ast, Y.Xiaoyong 16+2reb+4ast, J.Hanyi 13+7reb+2ast, D.Ruiqi 12+4ast, Y.Wenxue 6+7reb+6ast, J.Haoyang 4

Shanghai S. - Shenzhen L. 101-92

Rather predictable result in Shanghai where second ranked Sharks (18-4) defeated 6th ranked Leopards (14-8) 101-92 on Friday. Shanghai made 22-of-29 free shots (75.9 percent) during the game. Shanghai outrebounded Shenzhen L. 48-32 including a 30-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Shanghai looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. American center Hassan Whiteside (213-1989, college: Marshall) fired a double-double by scoring 24 points and 18 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field) for the winners. His fellow American import forward Kenneth Lofton Jr (201-2002, college: La Tech) chipped in a double-double by scoring 20 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. Five Sharks players scored in double figures. The former international Xining He (195-1997) produced 43 points (!!!) and forward Haoran Wang (205-2004) added 16 points and 10 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Sharks have a solid series of three victories in a row. Shanghai maintains second place with 18-4 record behind leader Guangsha L. Loser Leopards dropped to the fifth position with eight games lost. Shanghai will meet at home Nanjing (#18) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Shenzhen L. will play against Jiangsu D. (#19) in Nanjing and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shanghai S.: H.Whiteside 24+18reb, J.Lofton 20+10reb+6ast, L.Xie 16+7reb+8ast, Z.Wang 15+3reb, Z.Zhang 12+4reb+8ast, K.Fogg 8+2reb+1ast
Shenzhen L.: H.Xining 43+4reb+2ast, W.Haoran 16+10reb+2ast, S.Terquavion 16+4reb+4ast, J.Markell 8+1reb+10ast, Z.Peng 4+1reb, M.Mingkun 2+1reb

Jilin NE T. - Shanxi L. 74-105

Not a big story in a game in Changchun where 14th ranked Jilin Tigers (8-14) were rolled over by twelfth ranked Loongs (11-11) 105-74 on Saturday. Shanxi L. made 16-of-17 free shots (94.1 percent) during the game. Shanxi L. outrebounded Jilin NE T. 41-29 including a 33-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. Shanxi L. shot the lights out from three sinking 13 long-distance shots on high 56.5 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Guinean-American Hamidou Diallo (198-1998, college: Kentucky) fired 23 points and 7 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) for the winners. Senegalese power forward Ibrahima Fall-Faye (207-1997) chipped in 16 points and 8 rebounds. American-Albanian point guard Dallas Moore (185-1994, college: UNF) produced 24 points and 4 assists and Fanri Zeng (205-1996) added 10 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists respectively for lost side. 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. Shanxi L. moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Ningbo R. and Beijing. Jilin NE T. lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fifteenth position with 14 games lost. They share it with Fujian S.. Shanxi L. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Jilin NE T. will play against the league's leader Guangsha L. (#1) having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Shanxi L.: H.Diallo 23+7reb+3ast, I.Fall-Faye 16+8reb+1ast, K.Guy 13+1reb+6ast, P.Han 10+3reb, J.Mingru 10+1reb+5ast, Z.Ge 8+4reb+1ast
Jilin NE T.: M.Dallas 24+1reb+4ast, J.Weize 13+3reb+4ast, L.Luan 10+2reb+1ast, Z.Fanri 10+7reb+6ast, H.Jia 8+3reb+1ast, W.D.J. 4+7reb+2ast

Liaoning FL - Tianjin P. 105-91

Everything went according to plan in Yingkou where thirteenth ranked Flying Leopards (10-12) beat 16th ranked Pioneers (7-15) 105-91 on Saturday. Liaoning made 18-of-22 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game. Liaoning outrebounded Tianjin P. 41-22 including 18 on the offensive glass. Liaoning looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Tianjin P.'s players. American power forward Eric Moreland (208-1991, college: Oregon St.) fired a double-double by scoring 14 points, 22 rebounds and 9 assists for the winners. The former international point guard Jiwei Zhao (184-1995) chipped in 12 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists. American guard Javion Hamlet (193-1998, college: N.Texas) produced 31 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists and Taiwanese guard Benson Lin (193-1999, college: Bryant) added 19 points and 5 assists respectively for lost side. Five Liaoning and four Tianjin P. players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Liaoning maintains thirteenth place with 10-12 record. Loser Pioneers dropped to the seventeenth position with 15 games lost. They share it with Nanjing. Liaoning will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tianjin P. will play against Shandong H. (#4) having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Liaoning FL: L.Wang 22+3reb+2ast, Y.Shouqi 18+2reb+2ast, E.Moreland 14+22reb+9ast, D.Wells 13+1ast, H.Fu 12+2reb, J.Zhao 12+6reb+9ast
Tianjin P.: H.Javion 31+5reb+7ast, L.Benson 19+5ast, L.Junhao 14+3reb, J.Jr. Scottie 10+9reb+1ast, Y.Tian 6+1reb, Z.Haoran 5+2reb

Shandong H. - Guangzhou LL 83-80

Ninth-ranked Loong Lions (10-11) gave a tough game to fourth ranked Heroes (15-6) in Jinan on Saturday. Heroes managed to secure only three-point victory 83-80. However their fans expected much easier game. Shandong H. made 28-of-30 free shots (93.3 percent) during the game, while Guangzhou only scored eleven points from the stripe. Trinidad and Tobago-American swingman Devaughn Akoon-Purcell (196-1993, college: Illinois St.) fired 23 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. The former international point guard Shiyan Gao (186-1996) chipped in 14 points and 7 assists. Four Heroes players scored in double figures. American Justin Holiday (198-1989, college: Washington) produced 25 points and 6 rebounds and Argentinian-American Erik Thomas (195-1995, college: New Orleans) added 19 points and 7 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Shandong H. maintains fourth place with 15-6 record. Loser Loong Lions dropped to the twelfth position with 11 games lost. Shandong H. will meet Tianjin P. (#17) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Guangzhou will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Shandong H.: D.Akoon-Purcell 23+5reb+3ast, M.Chriss 17+4reb+1ast, H.Tao 16+8reb, S.Gao 14+4reb+7ast, M.Powell 7+3ast, Z.Xie 6+3reb
Guangzhou LL: H.Justin 25+6reb+3ast, T.Erik 19+7reb+3ast, L.Yancheng 10+2reb+1ast, X.Xu 6+7reb+1ast, G.Kailun 6+2reb+2ast, S.Weiyun 6+3reb+2ast

Guangsha L. - Zhejiang GB. 68-58

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Hangzhou: Guangsha Lions (#1) and Golden Bulls (#8). Guangsha Lions (19-3) won against visiting Golden Bulls (12-10) 68-58. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Golden Bulls. American guard Rayjon Tucker (191-1997, college: UALR) stepped up and scored 18 points and 5 assists for the winners and his fellow American import forward JaKarr Sampson (206-1993, college: St.John's) chipped in 13 points and 7 rebounds. At the losing side forward Zeyi Liu (202-1999) responded with 7 points and 15 rebounds and American power forward Dakari Johnson (213-1995, college: Kentucky) scored 7 points and 11 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guangsha Lions have a solid series of three victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 19-3 record. Zhejiang GB. at the other side keeps the eighth position with ten games lost. Guangsha L. are looking forward to face Jilin NE T. (#16) in Changchun in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Zhejiang GB. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Guangsha L.: R.Tucker 18+4reb+5ast, J.Hu 15+3reb+1ast, J.Sampson 13+7reb, J.Brown 7+1reb+3ast, J.Zhao 6+1reb+2ast, M.Sun 6+4reb+5ast
Zhejiang GB.: Y.Gabe 11+1reb+1ast, J.Damian 9+6reb, L.Wenbo 8+2reb, L.Zeyi 7+15reb+3ast, R.Brandon 7+3reb, J.Dakari 7+11reb