NBL Round 20 (Regular Season): HK JinNiu lose to Hangzhou

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Top ranked HK JinNiu (16-3) recorded its third loss on the court of thirteenth ranked Hangzhou on Monday night. Visitors were defeated by Hangzhou 96-90. The best player for the winners was American center Trevor Thompson (210-1994, college: Ohio St., agency: Octagon Europe) who scored 18 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. The other American import forward Cameron McGriff (201-1997, college: OK State) chipped in 25 points (perfect from downtown making all six shots !!!). Nigerian-American swingman EJ Anosike (199-1998, college: CS Fullerton) produced a double-double by scoring 24 points and 12 rebounds for the guests. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Hangzhou have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with Hubei and Guizhou. HK JinNiu at the other side still keeps top position with three games lost. Hangzhou is looking forward to face Hubei (#13) on the road in the next round. HK JinNiu will play against Jiangxi (#5) and is hoping to win this game.
Important game to mention about took place in Shandong. Seventh ranked Shandong (10-9) saved a 3-point victory at home edging 5th ranked Jiangxi (11-8) 91-88 on Monday evening. The game was dominated by American players. point guard Loren Jackson (170-1996, college: Akron) orchestrated the victory by scoring 34 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Michael Holyfield contributed with 13 points and 16 rebounds for the winners. Guard Michael Bryson (193-1994, college: UCSB) replied with 29 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals for Jiangxi. Jiangxi's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Shandong maintains seventh position with 10-9 record, which they share with Jiangsu. Jiangxi at the other side keeps the fifth place with eight games lost. Shandong will play against Guizhou (#11) on the road in the next round. Jiangxi will play against the league's leader HK JinNiu (#1) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Hunan (12-7) against twelfth ranked Guizhou (7-12) on Sunday night. Visiting Hunan was defeated by Guizhou in a tough game in Guizhou 90-97. Worth to mention a great performance of Sterling Manley who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 28 points and 12 rebounds. Guizhou's coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Michael Watkins responded with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds. Guizhou moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with Hubei and Hangzhou. Loser Hunan keeps the third position with seven games lost. Guizhou will meet at home higher ranked Shandong (#7) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Hunan will have a break next round.

Rest of the games of round 20 were very predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Jiangsu was defeated by Jiaozuo in a road game 85-76. Winless Zhangjiakou was beaten by Jiangsu at home 97-113. Hefei destroyed Jiaozuo on the opponent's court 93-71. Anhui W. outscored Hubei in a home game 113-93.



Jiaozuo - Jiangsu 85-76

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams when 8th ranked Jiangsu (10-9) was defeated on the road by ninth ranked Jiaozuo (8-11) 85-76 on Saturday. Jiaozuo looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Jiaozuo made 9 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of American swingman Sonny Weems (198-1986, college: Arkansas) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds and guard Bofan Feng (190-2003) who added 16 points and 6 assists during the contest. Four Jiaozuo players scored in double figures. American center Robert Upshaw (213-1994, college: Washington) responded with 20 points and 8 rebounds and his fellow American import point guard Quade Green (183-1998, college: Washington) scored 18 points and 8 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Jiaozuo maintains ninth position with 8-11 record, which they share with Anhui W. Loser Jiangsu dropped to the seventh place with nine games lost. They share the position with Shandong. Jiaozuo will meet at home Anhui W. (#9) in the next round. Jiangsu will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Jiaozuo: S.Weems 20+11reb+2ast, D.Thomas 17+4reb+3ast, B.Feng 16+3reb+6ast, O.Akonobi 10+7reb+1ast, R.Liang 6+6reb+1ast, T.Holder 6+1reb+4ast
Jiangsu: U.Robert 20+8reb+2ast, G.Quade 18+4reb+8ast, L.Jiahui 14+2reb+1ast, S.Henry 9+9reb+1ast, S.Jianhua 7+3reb+2ast, T.Yanru 3+2reb

Guizhou - Hunan 97-90

Very important is a road loss of third ranked Hunan (12-7) against twelfth ranked Guizhou (7-12) on Sunday night. Visiting Hunan was defeated by Guizhou in a tough game in Guizhou 90-97. Guizhou dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Hunan's 30 and made 17-of-19 free shots (89.5 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of American power forward Sterling Manley (213-1998, college: UNC) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 28 points and 12 rebounds and the other American import swingman Scottie Lindsey (196-1996, college: Northwestern) who added 33 points (!!!) (was perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line !!!) during the contest. Guizhou's coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. American forward Michael Watkins (206-1995, college: Penn State) responded with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds and point guard Jiange Liu (195-1999) scored 18 points. Five Hunan players scored in double figures. Guizhou moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with Hubei and Hangzhou. Loser Hunan keeps the third position with seven games lost. Guizhou will meet at home higher ranked Shandong (#7) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Hunan will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Guizhou: S.Lindsey 33+3reb+2ast, S.Manley 28+12reb+3ast, B.Zhao 8+1reb+4ast, Z.Li 8+3reb+1ast, S.Lin 7+2reb+1ast, K.Vinales 6+2reb+2ast
Hunan: W.Michael 18+11reb, L.Jiange 18+4reb+3ast, L.Jiaxin 14+3reb+1ast, D.Yuxin 13+3reb+5ast, T.Yuheng 12+3reb+3ast, W.Qingming 7+2reb

Hangzhou - HK JinNiu 96-90

Top ranked HK JinNiu (16-3) recorded its third loss on the court of thirteenth ranked Hangzhou on Monday night. Visitors were defeated by Hangzhou 96-90. The best player for the winners was American center Trevor Thompson (210-1994, college: Ohio St., agency: Octagon Europe) who scored 18 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. The other American import forward Cameron McGriff (201-1997, college: OK State) chipped in 25 points (perfect from downtown making all six shots !!!). Four Hangzhou players scored in double figures. Nigerian-American swingman EJ Anosike (199-1998, college: CS Fullerton) produced a double-double by scoring 24 points and 12 rebounds and American guard Michael Ertel II (186-1999, college: UAB) added 25 points and 8 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Hangzhou have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with Hubei and Guizhou. HK JinNiu at the other side still keeps top position with three games lost. Hangzhou is looking forward to face Hubei (#13) on the road in the next round. HK JinNiu will play against Jiangxi (#5) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Hangzhou: C.McGriff 25, T.Thompson 18+8reb+4ast, R.Edwards 12+5reb+4ast, J.Howard 11+1reb+3ast, K.Si 9+4reb+1ast, X.Huang 9+1reb+1ast
HK JinNiu: E.II Michael 25+8reb+2ast, A.E.J. 24+12reb+3ast, B.Ondrej 6+2reb, L.Duwei 6+3reb, H.Tianyi 6, T.Caiyu 5+1ast

Zhangjiakou - Jiangsu 97-113

No shocking result in a game when eighth ranked Jiangsu (10-9) defeated on the road bottom-ranked Zhangjiakou (0-19) 113-97 on Monday. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Henry Sims (208-1990, college: Georgetown) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 40 points (!!!), 17 rebounds and 4 blocks and the other American import guard Kendall Smith (190-1995, college: OK State) who added 27 points and 4 assists during the contest. Four Jiangsu players scored in double figures. DR Congolese center Viny Okouo (214-1997) responded with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 12 rebounds and American guard Kenneth Miller (186-1995, college: OVU) scored 22 points and 4 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. Jiangsu moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Shandong. Loser Zhangjiakou still closes the standings. Jiangsu will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Zhangjiakou will play against the league's second-placed Hefei (#2) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Jiangsu: H.Sims 40+17reb+1ast, K.Smith 27+2reb+4ast, Q.Green 12+2reb+7ast, R.Upshaw 11+9reb, J.Song 9+1reb, X.Chen 8+3reb+1ast
Zhangjiakou: O.Viny 23+12reb, M.Kenneth 22+4reb+4ast, M.Chris 9+3reb+1ast, Z.Zibei 9+2reb+1ast, S.Yudi 8+1reb+1ast, C.Jiahui 6+1ast

Jiaozuo - Hefei 71-93

Very expected game when 9th ranked Jiaozuo (8-11) was rolled over at home by second ranked Hefei (15-4) 93-71 on Monday. Hefei made 35-of-44 free shots (79.5 percent) during the game, while Jiaozuo only scored eighteen points from the stripe. They outrebounded Jiaozuo 44-28 including 32 on the defensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of Greek forward Dimitrios Agravanis (208-1994) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 17 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists and American forward Brandon McCoy (213-1998, college: UNLV, agency: MSG) who added 16 points and 13 rebounds during the contest. Five Hefei players scored in double figures. American swingman Sonny Weems (198-1986, college: Arkansas) responded with 14 points and guard Bofan Feng (190-2003) scored 15 points. 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 six-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 15-4 record behind leader HK JinNiu. Loser Jiaozuo keeps the ninth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Anhui W.. Hefei will meet bottom-ranked Zhangjiakou (#14) on the road in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Jiaozuo will play against Anhui W. (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hefei: D.Agravanis 17+12reb+4ast, J.Walker 17+4reb+2ast, B.McCoy 16+13reb+2ast, Z.Chen 13+1ast, Z.Liu 12+2ast, J.Feng 6+1reb+1ast
Jiaozuo: F.Bofan 15+2reb+3ast, W.Sonny 14+4reb+3ast, H.Tra 11+1ast, J.Jiakai 9+4reb+1ast, T.Dischon 8+8reb+1ast, L.Ruibo 7+1reb+4ast

Anhui W. - Hubei 113-93

Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both eleventh ranked Anhui W. and 10th ranked Hubei had identical 7-11 record. This time Anhui W. used a home court advantage and outscored the opponent from Hubei 113-93 on Monday night. They outrebounded Hubei 46-35 including 33 on the defensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Jesse Jones (183, college: Bridgeport) who helped to win the game recording 26 points and 5 assists and the other American import center Noah Dickerson (207-1997, college: Washington) who added 21 points and 11 rebounds during the contest. American forward Eric Paschall (198-1996, college: Villanova) responded with 18 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists and guard Xiaoming Wang (190) scored 21 points and 5 rebounds. Five Anhui W. and four Hubei players scored in double figures. Anhui W. (8-11) moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Jiaozuo. Hubei lost sixth consecutive game. They dropped to the eleventh position with 12 games lost. They share it with Guizhou and Hangzhou. Anhui W. will meet Jiaozuo (#10) on the road in the next round. Hubei will play against Hangzhou and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Anhui W.: J.Jones 26+3reb+5ast, N.Dickerson 21+11reb+2ast, Y.Man 18+7reb+4ast, W.Yang 18+6reb+1ast, M.Mobley 16+6reb+4ast, Z.Yuan 6+9reb
Hubei: W.Xiaoming 21+5reb, L.Wantong 21+3reb+1ast, P.Eric 18+8reb+6ast, S.Keifer 12+4reb+5ast, S.Baylee 9+10reb+3ast, X.Shiwei 6+3reb+2ast

Shandong - Jiangxi 91-88

Important game to mention about took place in Shandong. Seventh ranked Shandong (10-9) saved a 3-point victory at home edging 5th ranked Jiangxi (11-8) 91-88 on Monday evening. The game was dominated by American players. point guard Loren Jackson (170-1996, college: Akron) orchestrated the victory by scoring 34 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Center Michael Holyfield (211-1992, college: SHSU) contributed with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 16 rebounds for the winners. Four Shandong players scored in double figures. Guard Michael Bryson (193-1994, college: UCSB) replied with 29 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals and guard Niven Glover (196-2000) added 22 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in the effort for Jiangxi. Jiangxi's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Shandong maintains seventh position with 10-9 record, which they share with Jiangsu. Jiangxi at the other side keeps the fifth place with eight games lost. Shandong will play against Guizhou (#11) on the road in the next round. Jiangxi will play against the league's leader HK JinNiu (#1) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Shandong: L.Jackson 34+6reb+6ast, B.Young 14+2reb+2ast, M.Holyfield 13+16reb, J.Chen 12+1reb, Y.Yerpan 8+4reb+3ast, J.Zhao 4
Jiangxi: B.Michael 29+6reb+4ast, G.Niven 22+7reb+4ast, H.Chao 10+3reb+2ast, W.Congze 9+4reb, L.Junwen 7+1reb+3ast, L.Junxi 5+4reb+1ast