NBL Round 19 (Regular Season): Shandong defeat Hunan in the closest game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 19 in the NBL took place in Shandong. This derby game ended with only one-point defeat on the road of 3rd placed Hunan (12-6) to eighth ranked Shandong (9-9) 84-83 on Thursday evening. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Hunan. It was a great evening for American center Michael Holyfield (211-1992, college: SHSU) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 20 rebounds. American-Bulgarian guard Brandon Young (193-1991, college: DePaul, agency: BIG) helped adding 19 points and 5 assists. Shandong's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. At the losing side American forward Michael Watkins (206-1995, college: Penn State) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds. Shandong maintains eighth place with 9-9 record. Hunan at the other side keeps the third position with six games lost. Shandong are looking forward to face higher ranked Jiangxi (#5) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Hunan will play against Guizhou and is hoping to win this game.
NBL top team - HK JinNiu (16-2) had no problems winning another game. This time they beat tenth ranked Anhui W. (7-11) in Hong Kong 102-85. It was a quality performance for Czech center Ondrej Balvin (217-1992, agency: Octagon Europe) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). Michael Ertel II accounted for 19 points and 4 assists. American Matt Mobley (194-1994, college: St.Bonaventure) came up with 25 points for Anhui W. in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. HK JinNiu maintains first place with 16-2 record. Anhui W. at the other side keeps the tenth position with 11 games lost. They share it with Hubei. HK JinNiu will play against Hangzhou (#13) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Anhui W. will play against Hubei and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Bottom-ranked Zhangjiakou (0-18) is still winless. This time they lost on the road their 18th consecutive match to fifth ranked Shanghai (11-7) 101-74 on Friday evening. Marcus LoVett Jr fired 26 points for the winners. Kenneth Miller produced 21 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists 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. Shanghai have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Jiangxi. Loser Zhangjiakou still closes the standings. Shanghai will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Zhangjiakou will play against Jiangsu (#7) and hopes to get finally their first victory.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 19: Shanghai won against Jiaozuo on the opponent's court 86-82. Hangzhou outscored Jiangxi in a home game 109-79. Hubei was rolled over Hefei on the road 104-70. Hebei crushed Guizhou on its own court 117-93.



Jiaozuo - Shanghai 82-86

Very expected game when 9th ranked Jiaozuo (7-10) was defeated at home by fifth ranked Shanghai (11-7) 86-82 on Wednesday. American guard Marcus LoVett Jr (183-1996, college: St.John's, agency: Octagon Europe) fired 28 points and 6 assists for the winners. His fellow American import forward Shemar Wilson (206-2001, college: UT Arlington) chipped in 7 points and 9 rebounds. American forward Dischon Thomas (206-2000, college: Montana, agency: JCK Sports Group) produced a double-double by scoring 26 points and 10 rebounds and guard Ruibo Liang (188-2003) added 12 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Shanghai have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Jiangxi. Loser Jiaozuo keeps the ninth position with ten games lost. Shanghai will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Jiaozuo will play against the league's second-placed Hefei (#2) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shanghai: J.LoVett 28+3reb+6ast, J.Tang 15, W.Douglas 9+5reb+2ast, W.Wangfan 8+1ast, S.Wilson 7+9reb+1ast, C.Sun 6+2reb+2ast
Jiaozuo: T.Dischon 26+10reb+3ast, H.Tra 22+1reb+1ast, L.Ruibo 12+8reb+5ast, F.Bofan 8+1reb+7ast, Y.Zishuo 4+3reb+1ast, W.Sonny 4+3reb+3ast

Shandong - Hunan 84-83

The most exciting game of round 19 in the NBL took place in Shandong. This derby game ended with only one-point defeat on the road of 3rd placed Hunan (12-6) to eighth ranked Shandong (9-9) 84-83 on Thursday evening. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Hunan. It was a great evening for American center Michael Holyfield (211-1992, college: SHSU) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 20 rebounds. American-Bulgarian guard Brandon Young (193-1991, college: DePaul, agency: BIG) helped adding 19 points and 5 assists. Shandong's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. At the losing side American forward Michael Watkins (206-1995, college: Penn State) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds and point guard Yuxin Deng (180-1995) scored 19 points and 5 assists. Four Hunan players scored in double figures. Shandong maintains eighth place with 9-9 record. Hunan at the other side keeps the third position with six games lost. Shandong are looking forward to face higher ranked Jiangxi (#5) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Hunan will play against Guizhou and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Shandong: B.Young 19+1reb+5ast, M.Holyfield 18+20reb, Y.Yerpan 11+3reb+1ast, J.Chen 9+1reb+1ast, W.Shi 8+3reb+1ast, L.Jackson 7+1reb+5ast
Hunan: D.Yuxin 19+3reb+5ast, W.Michael 17+11reb, Z.Stephen 13+5reb+3ast, T.Yuheng 13+2reb+3ast, L.Jiange 8+2ast, F.Qiurui 7+1reb

Hangzhou - Jiangxi 109-79

There was a surprise result when thirteenth ranked Hangzhou (6-12) smashed at home 4th placed Jiangxi (11-7) 109-79 on Thursday. Hangzhou made 19-of-25 free shots (76.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists comparing to just 8 passes made by Jiangxi's players. Americans were the main players on the court. Guard Rob Edwards (196-1997, college: Arizona St.) fired 20 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!) for the winners. Center Trevor Thompson (210-1994, college: Ohio St., agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 12 points and 8 rebounds. Five Hangzhou players scored in double figures. Guard Niven Glover (196-2000) produced 39 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds (made all of his ten free throws !!!) and guard Michael Bryson (193-1994, college: UCSB) added 13 points and 6 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. Hangzhou moved-up to twelfth place, which they share with Guizhou. Loser Jiangxi keeps the fourth position with seven games lost. They share it with Shanghai. Hangzhou 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 Shandong and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Hangzhou: R.Edwards 20+7reb+5ast, K.Si 16+1ast, J.Howard 15+3reb+4ast, C.McGriff 13+4reb+2ast, T.Thompson 12+8reb+3ast, Y.Gao 10+2reb+3ast
Jiangxi: G.Niven 39+8reb+1ast, B.Michael 13+6reb+2ast, K.Mohamed 7+4reb+2ast, L.Yantao 6+6reb, L.Junwen 6+3reb+1ast, L.Junxi 5+4reb

HK JinNiu - Anhui W. 102-85

NBL top team - HK JinNiu (16-2) had no problems winning another game. This time they beat tenth ranked Anhui W. (7-11) in Hong Kong 102-85. HK JinNiu dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Anhui W.'s 40 and made 19-of-25 charity shots (76.0 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Anhui W. 47-28 including 17 on the offensive glass. It was a quality performance for Czech center Ondrej Balvin (217-1992, agency: Octagon Europe) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). American guard Michael Ertel II (186-1999, college: UAB) accounted for 19 points and 4 assists for the winning side. Four HK JinNiu players scored in double figures. American Matt Mobley (194-1994, college: St.Bonaventure) came up with 25 points and the other American import point guard Jesse Jones (183, college: Bridgeport) added 15 points and 8 assists respectively for Anhui W. in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. HK JinNiu maintains first place with 16-2 record. Anhui W. at the other side keeps the tenth position with 11 games lost. They share it with Hubei. HK JinNiu will play against Hangzhou (#13) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Anhui W. will play against Hubei and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
HK JinNiu: O.Balvin 19+10reb, I.Ertel 19+4reb+4ast, E.Anosike 15+6reb+1ast, H.Qu 14+3reb, R.Yang 9+3reb+3ast, J.Dong 8+4reb+3ast
Anhui W.: M.Matt 25+2reb+1ast, J.Jesse 15+3reb+8ast, M.Yicheng 14+11reb+1ast, L.Juntao 9+2ast, Y.Wenbo 8+3reb, L.Linfeng 4+1reb

Hefei - Hubei 104-70

Not a big story in a game when 9th ranked Hubei (7-11) was rolled over on the road by second ranked Hefei (14-4) 104-70 on Friday. Hefei dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Hubei's 38. Hefei looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Hefei made 9 blocks. American point guard Jordan Walker (186-1997, college: Morehead St., agency: Octagon Europe) fired 22 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Greek forward Dimitrios Agravanis (208-1994) chipped in 21 points and 6 rebounds. Four Hefei players scored in double figures. American center Baylee Steele (213-1997, college: Duquesne, agency: Octagon Europe) produced a double-double by scoring 18 points and 14 rebounds and guard Xiaoming Wang (190) added 16 points and 5 assists 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. Hefei have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain second place with 14-4 record having just two points less than leader HK JinNiu. Hubei lost fifth consecutive game. They dropped to the tenth position with 11 games lost. They share it with Anhui W.. Hefei will meet Jiaozuo (#9) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Hubei will play against Anhui W. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hefei: J.Walker 22+5reb+6ast, D.Agravanis 21+6reb+3ast, B.McCoy 16+9reb, Z.Liu 14+4reb+1ast, J.Feng 8+2reb+3ast, Z.Chen 7+4reb+6ast
Hubei: S.Baylee 18+14reb+1ast, W.Xiaoming 16+3reb+5ast, S.Keifer 10+2reb+2ast, L.Wantong 9+4reb+1ast, G.Xiaopeng 8+3reb+1ast, X.Shiwei 5+7reb+1ast

Hebei - Guizhou 117-93

Everything went according to plan when seventh ranked Hebei (10-8) outscored at home 12th ranked Guizhou (6-12) 117-93 on Friday. Hebei dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Guizhou's 44. They outrebounded Guizhou 48-22 including a 31-15 advantage in defensive rebounds. Guard Jinlang Weng (196-2004) fired 24 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Ukrainian center Vladyslav Koreniuk (210-1994, agency: BIG) chipped in 25 points and 6 rebounds. American swingman Scottie Lindsey (196-1996, college: Northwestern) produced 20 points and the other American import power forward Sterling Manley (213-1998, college: UNC) added 15 points and 8 rebounds respectively for lost side. Four Hebei and five Guizhou players 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. Hebei moved-up to sixth place. Loser Guizhou keeps the twelfth position with 12 games lost. They share it with Hangzhou. Hebei will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Guizhou will play against Hunan (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Hebei: V.Koreniuk 25+6reb+2ast, J.Weng 24+6reb+5ast, C.Lamonte 14+8reb+3ast, Y.Fu 12+3reb+1ast, J.Adams 12+3reb+3ast, J.Horne 11+4reb+3ast
Guizhou: L.Scottie 20+4reb+2ast, V.Kyle 20+1ast, M.Sterling 15+8reb+1ast, M.Corey 11+2reb, L.Zhanfan 10+2reb+2ast, Z.Liwei 9+3reb

Shanghai - Zhangjiakou 101-74

Bottom-ranked Zhangjiakou (0-18) is still winless. This time they lost on the road their 18th consecutive match to fifth ranked Shanghai (11-7) 101-74 on Friday evening. Shanghai looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American guard Marcus LoVett Jr (183-1996, college: St.John's, agency: Octagon Europe) fired 26 points for the winners. Cameroonian center Russell Tchewa (213-2000, college: Georgia) chipped in 20 points and 8 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). American guard Kenneth Miller (186-1995, college: OVU) produced 21 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists and the other American import forward Chris Martin (195-1994) added 14 points and 6 rebounds respectively for lost side. 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. Shanghai have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Jiangxi. Loser Zhangjiakou still closes the standings. Shanghai will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Zhangjiakou will play against Jiangsu (#7) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Shanghai: J.LoVett 26+3reb+2ast, R.Tchewa 20+8reb+1ast, J.Tang 20+2reb+3ast, S.Wilson 15+7reb+1ast, W.Wangfan 7+1reb+5ast, Y.Li 4
Zhangjiakou: M.Kenneth 21+5reb+7ast, M.Chris 14+6reb+1ast, L.Yutian 11+1reb+1ast, O.Viny 10+6reb+1ast, S.Yudi 8+2reb, Y.Amir 4+6reb+2ast