CBA Round 31 (Regular Season): Shanghai beat Shandong H. in the most crucial game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Shanghai. First ranked Sharks faced 4th placed Heroes. Host Sharks (23-4) defeated guests from Jinan (18-9) 112-96. Shanghai dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Heroes's 38. Shanghai shot the lights out from three sinking 13 long-distance shots on high 54.2 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. American-Qatari Brandon Goodwin (188-1995, college: FGCU) fired 24 points and 8 assists for the winners. American forward Kenneth Lofton Jr (201-2002, college: La Tech) chipped in 13 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. American forward Keyontae Johnson (195-1999, college: Kansas St.) produced 24 points (made all of his fifteen free throws !!!) for lost side. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Sharks have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. Shanghai maintains first place with 23-4 record. Shandong H. at the other side keeps the fourth position with nine games lost. Shanghai will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Shandong H. will play at home against Tianjin P. (#18) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
We should mention about the upset which took place in Jiangsu, where higher ranked Golden Bulls (15-12) lost to eighteenth ranked Monkey Kings (10-17) in a road game 95-101. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Golden Bulls. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international swingman Haowen Guo (201-2000) who helped to win the game recording 28 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists. Brady Manek contributed with 21 points and 4 assists for the winners. American swingman Brandon Randolph (198-1997, college: Arizona) answered with 16 points and 7 rebounds for Zhejiang GB.Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Nanjing moved-up to seventeenth place. Zhejiang GB. at the other side keeps the eighth position with 12 games lost. They share it with Liaoning. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
The game with biggest result difference took place in Qingdao. Local Eagles (16-11) outscored 19th ranked Jiangsu Dragons (8-20) 102-69 on Wednesday night. Worth to mention a quality performance of Quinndary Weatherspoon who helped to win the game recording 27 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. At the losing side Harry Giles III responded with 17 points and 9 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Despite that victory Qingdao E. went down to seventh position due to points difference. Loser Jiangsu Dragons keeps the nineteenth place with 20 games lost. Qingdao E. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Jiangsu D. will play against Guangdong ST (#3) and hope to secure a win.

Other games of round 31 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Xinjiang was crushed by Guangdong ST in Dongguan 111-89. Shanxi L. beat Beijing at home 107-102. Guangzhou lost to Liaoning on the opponent's court 86-97. Tianjin P. unfortunately lost to Shenzhen L. in a home game 84-96. Jilin NE T. recorded a loss to Guangsha L. on the road 88-102.
The best stats of 31th round was 30 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists by Dallas Moore of Jilin NE T..



Guangdong ST - Xinjiang FT 111-89

There was no surprise in Dongguan where 14th ranked Flying Tigers (11-17) were crushed by third ranked Guandong Tigers (19-9) 111-89 on Tuesday. Guangdong ST looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists. It was a great evening for American guard Edmond Sumner (198-1995, college: Xavier) who led his team to a victory scoring 25 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists. His fellow American import guard Tahjere McCall (193-1994, college: Tennessee St., agency: Slash Sports) helped adding 17 points and 5 assists. At the losing side New Zealand forward Sam Mennenga (206-2001, college: Davidson) responded with 13 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and American guard Zach Nutall (190-1999, college: SMU) scored 14 points and 4 assists. Both teams had five 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. Guangdong ST maintains third place with 19-9 record having three points less than leader Shanghai S. Loser Flying Tigers dropped to the fifteenth position with 17 games lost. Guangdong ST will meet Jiangsu D. (#19) in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Xinjiang will play against Shenzhen L. (#6) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Guangdong ST: E.Sumner 25+5reb+9ast, T.McCall 17+3reb+5ast, T.Queen 15+3reb+4ast, J.Xu 13+1reb+4ast, J.Boqiao 12+8reb, C.Yongxi 11+5reb+3ast
Xinjiang FT: A.Abudurexiti 15+4reb+2ast, N.Zach 14+4reb+4ast, M.Sam 13+6reb+5ast, L.Yanzhe 10+6reb, L.Dedric 10+8reb+3ast, M.Yilifulati 9+1reb+2ast

Shanxi L. - Beijing RF 107-102

The game between closely ranked teams ended with eleventh ranked Loongs' (14-13) home victory over 12th ranked Royal Fighters (12-16) 107-102 on Tuesday. Shanxi L. made 25-of-28 free shots (89.3 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. It was a great evening for Guinean-American Hamidou Diallo (198-1998, college: Kentucky) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 31 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. point guard Jia Mingru (185-1997) helped adding 16 points and 4 assists (made all of his seven free throws). At the losing side American point guard Jaelen House (183-2001, college: N.Mexico) responded with 28 points and the other American import forward Reggie Perry (208-2000, college: MSU) scored 20 points and 9 rebounds. Four Beijing players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Shanxi L. moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Ningbo R. Beijing lost their third game in a row. They keep the twelfth position with 16 games lost. Shanxi L. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Beijing will play against the league's second-placed Guangsha L. (#2) having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Shanxi L.: H.Diallo 31+10reb+5ast, S.Yumiti 16+1reb, J.Mingru 16+4ast, Z.Ge 10+1reb, M.Knight 9+4reb+4ast, J.Hailong 7+7reb+2ast
Beijing RF: H.Jaelen 28+1reb+2ast, Z.Songwei 21+6reb+2ast, P.Reggie 20+9reb, L.Sanning 12+1reb+9ast, R.Grant 9+2reb, Z.Yuchen 8+7reb+1ast

Liaoning FL - Guangzhou LL 97-86

Very expected game in Yingkou where 15th ranked Loong Lions (10-16) were defeated by ninth ranked Flying Leopards (15-12) 97-86 on Wednesday. Liaoning shot the lights out from three sinking 16 long-distance shots on high 53.3 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. It was a great evening for the former international point guard Jiwei Zhao (184-1995) who led his team to a victory scoring 23 points. American power forward Eric Moreland (208-1991, college: Oregon St.) helped adding 6 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. At the losing side Canadian guard Lindell Wigginton (185-1998, college: Iowa St.) responded with 19 points and 8 assists and center Xu Xin (226-2003) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws). Four Liaoning and five Guangzhou players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Flying Leopards. Liaoning moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Zhejiang GB. Guangzhou lost their fifth game in a row. They dropped to the sixteenth position with 16 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Liaoning FL: J.Zhao 23+2reb+3ast, Y.Shouqi 13+2reb+4ast, L.Wang 12+3reb+2ast, T.Harvey 12+2reb+3ast, H.Fu 12+3reb, D.Wells 9+4reb+2ast
Guangzhou LL: W.Lindell 19+3reb+8ast, X.Xu 15+10reb, Y.Zhaoyao 12+6reb+2ast, B.Deonte 12+3reb+2ast, H.Justin 12+4reb, L.Yancheng 6+3reb

Nanjing MK - Zhejiang GB. 101-95

We should mention about the upset which took place in Jiangsu, where higher ranked Golden Bulls (15-12) lost to eighteenth ranked Monkey Kings (10-17) in a road game 95-101. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Golden Bulls. Nanjing made 32-of-36 charity shots (88.9 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. Zhejiang GB. was plagued by 27 personal fouls down the stretch. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international swingman Haowen Guo (201-2000) who helped to win the game recording 28 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists. American power forward Brady Manek (206-1998, college: UNC) contributed with 21 points and 4 assists for the winners. American swingman Brandon Randolph (198-1997, college: Arizona) answered with 16 points and 7 rebounds and the other American import Andrew Andrews (188-1993, college: Washington) added 17 points and 4 assists in the effort for Zhejiang GB.Five Zhejiang GB. players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Nanjing moved-up to seventeenth place. Zhejiang GB. at the other side keeps the eighth position with 12 games lost. They share it with Liaoning. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Nanjing MK: H.Guo 28+9reb+8ast, B.Manek 21+4reb+4ast, J.Hands 16+3reb, M.Zhu 8+4reb+2ast, P.Jackson-Cartwright 8+2reb+3ast, A.Mawein 7+3reb
Zhejiang GB.: C.Shuaipeng 21+1reb+1ast, A.Andrew 17+3reb+4ast, R.Brandon 16+7reb+3ast, L.Wenbo 11+4reb+2ast, J.Dakari 10+6reb+1ast, Z.Wang 7+2reb+2ast

Qingdao E. - Jiangsu D. 102-69

The game with biggest result difference took place in Qingdao. Local Eagles (16-11) outscored 19th ranked Jiangsu Dragons (8-20) 102-69 on Wednesday night. Qingdao E. made 22-of-26 free shots (84.6 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Worth to mention a quality performance of American guard Quinndary Weatherspoon (190-1996, college: MSU) who helped to win the game recording 27 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. His fellow American import power forward Jordan Mickey (203-1994, college: LSU) helped adding 15 points and 10 rebounds. Four Eagles players scored in double figures. At the losing side American forward Harry Giles III (208-1998, college: Duke) responded with 17 points and 9 rebounds and guard Zhenglin Pang (183-1971) scored 14 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. Despite that victory Qingdao E. went down to seventh position due to points difference. Loser Jiangsu Dragons keeps the nineteenth place with 20 games lost. Qingdao E. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Jiangsu D. will play against Guangdong ST (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Qingdao E.: Q.Weatherspoon 27+6reb+7ast, R.Wang 18+2reb+1ast, Z.Jiayi 17+4reb+1ast, J.Mickey 15+10reb+1ast, A.Duan 8+2ast, W.Lin 7+4reb+3ast
Jiangsu D.: G.III Harry 17+9reb+1ast, P.Zhenglin 14+2reb+3ast, S.T.J. 9+4reb+5ast, J.Haoran 8+1reb+2ast, H.Feron 7+9reb, W.Yujia 5+3reb

Shanghai S. - Shandong H. 112-96

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Shanghai. First ranked Sharks faced 4th placed Heroes. Host Sharks (23-4) defeated guests from Jinan (18-9) 112-96. Shanghai dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Heroes's 38. Shanghai shot the lights out from three sinking 13 long-distance shots on high 54.2 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. American-Qatari Brandon Goodwin (188-1995, college: FGCU) fired 24 points and 8 assists for the winners. American forward Kenneth Lofton Jr (201-2002, college: La Tech) chipped in 13 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. American forward Keyontae Johnson (195-1999, college: Kansas St.) produced 24 points (made all of his fifteen free throws !!!) and the former international center Hanlin Tao (208-1991) added 15 points and 6 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) respectively for lost side. Five Shanghai and four Shandong H. players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Sharks have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. Shanghai maintains first place with 23-4 record. Shandong H. at the other side keeps the fourth position with nine games lost. Shanghai will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Shandong H. will play at home against Tianjin P. (#18) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Shanghai S.: B.Goodwin 24+4reb+8ast, T.Li 21+1reb+1ast, Z.Wang 17+8reb+1ast, J.Lofton 13+8reb+8ast, Z.Zhang 13+4reb+3ast, H.Li 8+3reb+2ast
Shandong H.: J.Keyontae 24+2reb+2ast, T.Hanlin 15+6reb, A.Devaughn 12+3reb+3ast, G.Shiyan 12+2reb+7ast, W.Zheng 11+1reb+1ast, K.Sacha 9+4reb

Tianjin P. - Shenzhen L. 84-96

Very predictable result in Tianjin where seventh ranked Leopards (17-11) beat 18th ranked Pioneers (9-19) 96-84 on Wednesday. Shenzhen L. made 20-of-23 free shots (87.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. It was a great evening for American guard Terquavion Smith (193-2002, college: NC State) who led his team to a victory scoring 28 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists (made all of his nine free throws !!!). The former international Xining He (195-1997) helped adding 20 points and 12 rebounds. Leopards' coach used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to get some rest. At the losing side American guard Javion Hamlet (193-1998, college: N.Texas) responded with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 assists and the other American import forward Scottie James Jr (202-1996, college: Liberty) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points and 12 rebounds. Four Tianjin P. players scored in double figures. The victory was the third consecutive win for Leopards. Shenzhen L. moved-up to sixth place. Tianjin P. lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the eighteenth position with 19 games lost. Shenzhen L. will meet at home Xinjiang (#15) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Tianjin P. will play against Shandong H. in Jinan and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shenzhen L.: T.Smith 28+8reb+4ast, X.He 20+12reb+2ast, A.Johnson 16+9reb+4ast, H.Wang 8+3ast, P.Zhou 7+5reb, M.Johnson 6+1reb+4ast
Tianjin P.: L.Benson 21+3reb+4ast, H.Javion 19+2reb+10ast, Z.Haoran 15+5reb+1ast, J.Jr. Scottie 15+12reb+3ast, L.Zonglin 9+3reb, G.Zeyu 3+2reb+3ast

Guangsha L. - Jilin NE T. 102-88

Not a big story in a game in Hangzhou where 13th ranked Jilin Tigers (11-16) were defeated by second ranked Guangsha Lions (23-5) 102-88 on Wednesday. Guangsha L. made 23-of-28 free shots (82.1 percent) during the game. It was a great shooting night for Guangsha L. especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 52.9 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. It was a great evening for American guard Rayjon Tucker (191-1997, college: UALR) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 12 assists. The former international center Jinqiu Hu (211-1997) helped adding 21 points and 7 rebounds. Four Guangsha Lions players scored in double figures. At the losing side American-Albanian point guard Dallas Moore (185-1994, college: UNF) responded with 30 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists (made all of his nine free throws !!!) and American forward DJ Wilson (208-1996, college: Michigan) scored 12 points and 4 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Guangsha Lions. Defending champion maintains second place with 23-5 record having just one point less than leader Shanghai S. Loser Jilin Tigers keeps the thirteenth position with 16 games lost. They share it with Fujian S.. Guangsha L. will meet at home Beijing (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Jilin NE T. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Guangsha L.: R.Tucker 33+5reb+12ast, J.Hu 21+7reb+3ast, J.Sampson 18+5reb, J.Zhu 10+6reb+4ast, J.Zhao 9+1reb, N.Lin 9+3reb+3ast
Jilin NE T.: M.Dallas 30+5reb+8ast, W.D.J. 12+4reb+4ast, J.Weize 11+1reb+6ast, Y.Tengfei 9+4reb+2ast, H.Jia 8+3reb, L.Luan 8+4reb