CBA Round 45 (Regular Season): Shanghai beat Guangzhou by one after a very close game

The games at this stage are more interesting as they can be crucial for the final standings in Regular Season. Despite we already know who is stronger and who is weaker, there may be still last minute surprises and upsets. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Thirteenth-ranked Loong Lions (15-23) used its home court advantage to challenge first ranked Sharks (35-4) in Guangzhou on Wednesday. The visitors from Shanghai managed to secure only one-point victory 90-89. However their fans expected much easier game. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Loong Lions. Shanghai dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Loong Lions's 46. Strangely Guangzhou outrebounded Shanghai 50-32 including 18 on the offensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a good game for the former international center Zhelin Wang (214-1994) who saved his team from a defeat with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 16 rebounds (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field). American-Qatari Brandon Goodwin (188-1995, college: FGCU) contributed with 17 points and 9 assists for the winners. American swingman Deonte Burton (193-1994, college: Iowa St.) answered with a double-double by scoring 36 points (!!!) and 10 rebounds for Guangzhou. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Sharks have an impressive series of six victories in a row. Shanghai maintains first place with 35-4 record. Guangzhou at the other side keeps the thirteenth position with 23 games lost. Shanghai are looking forward to face Xinjiang (#17) in Urumqi in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Guangzhou will play on the road against Jilin NE T. (#15) in Changchun and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Guangsha Lions (29-9) against tenth ranked Loongs (20-19) on Wednesday night. Visiting Guangsha Lions were defeated by Loongs in a tough game in Taiyuan 91-100. American guard Marcos Knight (191-1989, college: MTSU, agency: Slash Sports) stepped up and scored 20 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners and Hamidou Diallo chipped in 19 points and 7 assists. The best for the losing side was American Barry Brown Jr. (190-1996, college: Kansas St.) with 41 points (!!!) and 4 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Shanxi L. maintains tenth place with 20-19 record. Defending champion Guangsha L. keeps the second position with nine games lost. Shanxi L. will play against Jiangsu D. (#19) in Nanjing in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Guangsha L. will play on the road against Nanjing (#16) in Jiangsu and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Bottom-ranked Blue Whales is still unable to win any game. This time they lost on the road their 39th consecutive match to eighteenth ranked Pioneers (13-26) 100-84 on Wednesday evening. Scottie James Jr nailed a double-double by scoring 26 points and 12 rebounds for the winning side. Kyle Vinales came up with a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 12 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) for Sichuan in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Pioneers. Tianjin P. moved-up to seventeenth place, which they share with Xinjiang. Sichuan lost their 38th game in a row. They still close the standings. Tianjin P. will meet at home higher ranked Qingdao E. (#8) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Sichuan will play against Beijing (#12) and hopes to get finally their first victory.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 45: Qingdao E. was beaten by Beijing D. on the road 87-70. Guangdong ST won against Ningbo R. on its own court 77-74. Shandong H. unfortunately lost to Beijing in a road game 81-87. Liaoning managed to beat Nanjing at home 103-95. Shenzhen L. defeated Xinjiang on the opponent's court 104-96. Jiangsu D. was beaten by Fujian S. in a home game 76-84. Zhejiang GB. won against Jilin NE T. on the road 82-66.
The most impressive performance of 45th round was 22 points and 11 rebounds by Dakari Johnson of Zhejiang GB..



Beijing D. - Qingdao E. 87-70

No shocking result in a game when fifth ranked Ducks (26-13) beat 7th ranked Eagles (23-16) in Beijing 87-70 on Tuesday. American players dominated the game. point guard Eugene German (183-1997, college: NIU) nailed 29 points and 4 assists for the winning side and center Javale McGee (213-1988, college: Nevada) accounted for 22 points (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field). Guard Joseph Young (188-1992, college: Oregon) came up with 24 points and guard Quinndary Weatherspoon (190-1996, college: MSU) added 19 points respectively for Qingdao E. in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Beijing D. maintains fifth place with 26-13 record. Loser Eagles dropped to the eighth position with 16 games lost. Beijing D. will meet Shandong H. (#7) in the next round. Qingdao E. will play against Tianjin P. and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Qingdao E.: Y.Joseph 24+2reb+1ast, W.Quinndary 19+3reb+3ast, M.Jordan 11+9reb, W.Ruize 6+1reb, L.Junhu 3+6reb, C.Tyshaun 2+2reb
Beijing D.: E.German 29+2reb+4ast, J.McGee 22+4reb, Q.Zhou 12+10reb+1ast, J.Bailey 9+1reb+1ast, R.Chen 6+2ast, L.Meng 6+3reb+2ast

Guangdong ST - Ningbo R. 77-74

Very expected game when 10th ranked Rockets (19-20) were edged by fourth ranked Guandong Tigers (27-12) in Dongguan 77-74 on Tuesday. However just three-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. American guard Trevelin Queen (197-1997, college: NM State) nailed 26 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and the former international point guard Jie Xu (181-2000) accounted for 27 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. American point guard Zavier Simpson (183-1997, college: Michigan) came up with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists and the other American import Frank Jackson (190-1998, college: Duke) added 20 points (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field) respectively for Ningbo R. in the defeat. Rockets' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. The victory was the third consecutive win for Guandong Tigers. Guangdong ST maintains fourth place with 27-12 record. Ningbo R. lost their fifth game in a row. They dropped to the eleventh position with 20 games lost. Guangdong ST will meet at home Fujian S. (#14) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Ningbo R. will play against Shenzhen L. and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Ningbo R.: S.Zavier 21+5reb+7ast, J.Frank 20+3reb+1ast, F.Tacko 14+6reb, L.Kaiwen 7+4reb+1ast, Z.Jianshu 5+2reb+3ast, B.Lutu 5+8reb
Guangdong ST: J.Xu 27+5reb+4ast, T.Queen 26+8reb+4ast, T.McCall 9+7reb+3ast, D.Runwang 6+3reb+2ast, C.Yongxi 4+3reb, H.Wang 3+3reb

Beijing RF - Shandong H. 87-81

There was a surprise result when twelfth ranked Royal Fighters (17-22) won against higher ranked Heroes (23-14) in Beijing 87-81 on Wednesday. Beijing made 29-of-32 free shots (90.6 percent) during the game. Strangely Shandong H. outrebounded Beijing 48-35 including a 25-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Beijing made 13 blocks. American Grant Riller (189-1997, college: Charleston) nailed 21 points and 8 assists for the winning side and his fellow American import point guard Jaelen House (183-2001, college: N.Mexico) accounted for 23 points and 4 assists. Four Royal Fighters players scored in double figures. The former international center Hanlin Tao (208-1991) came up with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 13 rebounds and American forward Keyontae Johnson (195-1999, college: Kansas St.) added 16 points respectively for Shandong H. in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Beijing maintains twelfth place with 17-22 record. Shandong H. lost their fifth game in a row. They dropped to the seventh position with 14 games lost. Beijing will meet at home bottom-ranked Sichuan (#20) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Shandong H. will play against Beijing D. (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Shandong H.: J.Keyontae 16+2reb+3ast, T.Hanlin 13+13reb, K.Sacha 11+3reb, X.Zhijie 10+5reb+2ast, G.Shiyan 9+3reb+6ast, S.Baylee 8+6reb
Beijing RF: J.House 23+1reb+4ast, G.Riller 21+4reb+8ast, Y.Zou 13+10reb+1ast, Z.Shen 10+4reb+1ast, J.Xin 9+2reb+1ast, R.Perry 3+3reb

Guangzhou LL - Shanghai S. 89-90

Thirteenth-ranked Loong Lions (15-23) used its home court advantage to challenge first ranked Sharks (35-4) in Guangzhou on Wednesday. The visitors from Shanghai managed to secure only one-point victory 90-89. However their fans expected much easier game. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Loong Lions. Shanghai dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Loong Lions's 46. Strangely Guangzhou outrebounded Shanghai 50-32 including 18 on the offensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a good game for the former international center Zhelin Wang (214-1994) who saved his team from a defeat with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 16 rebounds (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field). American-Qatari Brandon Goodwin (188-1995, college: FGCU) contributed with 17 points and 9 assists for the winners. Four Sharks players scored in double figures. American swingman Deonte Burton (193-1994, college: Iowa St.) answered with a double-double by scoring 36 points (!!!) and 10 rebounds and Canadian guard Lindell Wigginton (185-1998, college: Iowa St.) added 24 points in the effort for Guangzhou. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Sharks have an impressive series of six victories in a row. Shanghai maintains first place with 35-4 record. Guangzhou at the other side keeps the thirteenth position with 23 games lost. Shanghai are looking forward to face Xinjiang (#17) in Urumqi in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Guangzhou will play on the road against Jilin NE T. (#15) in Changchun and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Guangzhou LL: B.Deonte 36+10reb, W.Lindell 24+3reb+3ast, X.Xu 10+15reb, L.Yancheng 8+7reb, Y.Zhaoyao 6+5reb+3ast, S.Keifer 3+3ast
Shanghai S.: Z.Wang 20+16reb+3ast, B.Goodwin 17+4reb+9ast, T.Li 16+2reb+2ast, Z.Zhang 14+1reb+2ast, P.Yan 5+3reb, K.Fogg 4+1reb+1ast

Liaoning FL - Nanjing MK 103-95

Not a big story in a game when 16th ranked Monkey Kings (14-25) lost to ninth ranked Flying Leopards (22-17) in Yingkou 95-103 on Wednesday. Liaoning dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Monkey Kings's 28 and made 16-of-19 free shots (84.2 percent) during the game. Liaoning outrebounded Nanjing 37-25 including 27 on the defensive glass. American forward Jaedon LeDee (206-1999, college: SDSU, agency: Slash Sports) nailed a double-double by scoring 25 points and 15 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field) for the winning side and his fellow American import power forward Eric Moreland (208-1991, college: Oregon St.) accounted for 16 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). American power forward Brady Manek (206-1998, college: UNC) came up with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 11 rebounds and the former international swingman Haowen Guo (201-2000) added 18 points and 10 assists respectively for Nanjing in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Liaoning maintains ninth place with 22-17 record. Loser Monkey Kings keeps the sixteenth position with 25 games lost. Liaoning will meet at home higher ranked Zhejiang GB. (#6) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Nanjing will play against the league's second-placed Guangsha L. (#2) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
Nanjing MK: M.Brady 25+11reb+2ast, Z.Baiqing 21+3reb+3ast, G.Haowen 18+3reb+10ast, J.Parker 14+4reb+7ast, Z.Mingzheng 6+1reb, L.Binzhuo 6
Liaoning FL: J.LeDee 25+15reb+1ast, J.Zhao 20+3reb+6ast, E.Moreland 16+12reb+4ast, Y.Shouqi 15+4ast, J.Yuxing 8+3reb+1ast, D.Wells 8+1ast

Shanxi L. - Guangsha L. 100-91

Very important is a road loss of second ranked Guangsha Lions (29-9) against tenth ranked Loongs (20-19) on Wednesday night. Visiting Guangsha Lions were defeated by Loongs in a tough game in Taiyuan 91-100. Shanxi L. shot 28 for 38 from the free-throw line, while Guangsha L. only scored eleven points from the stripe. Shanxi L. players were unselfish on offense dishing 26 assists. Guangsha L. was plagued by 26 personal fouls down the stretch. American guard Marcos Knight (191-1989, college: MTSU, agency: Slash Sports) stepped up and scored 20 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners and Guinean-American Hamidou Diallo (198-1998, college: Kentucky) chipped in 19 points and 7 assists. Four Loongs players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American Barry Brown Jr. (190-1996, college: Kansas St.) with 41 points (!!!) and 4 assists and the other American import power forward Josh Carlton (209-1999, college: Houston) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Shanxi L. maintains tenth place with 20-19 record. Defending champion Guangsha L. keeps the second position with nine games lost. Shanxi L. will play against Jiangsu D. (#19) in Nanjing in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Guangsha L. will play on the road against Nanjing (#16) in Jiangsu and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Guangsha L.: B.Jr. Barry 41+3reb+4ast, C.Josh 12+12reb+1ast, S.JaKarr 10+8reb+3ast, Z.Yanhao 9+1reb+1ast, Z.Jiaren 9+2reb, L.Nelson 6+3ast
Shanxi L.: M.Knight 20+6reb+7ast, H.Diallo 19+4reb+7ast, Z.Ge 15+1reb, I.Fall-Faye 15+4reb+2ast, J.Hailong 12+11reb+2ast, J.Mingru 9+5reb+5ast

Tianjin P. - Sichuan BW 100-84

Bottom-ranked Blue Whales is still unable to win any game. This time they lost on the road their 39th consecutive match to eighteenth ranked Pioneers (13-26) 100-84 on Wednesday evening. Tianjin P. made 17-of-22 free shots (77.3 percent) during the game. Tianjin P. outrebounded Sichuan 41-30 including 27 on the defensive glass. Tianjin P. looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. American forward Scottie James Jr (202-1996, college: Liberty) nailed a double-double by scoring 26 points and 12 rebounds for the winning side and his fellow American import guard Javion Hamlet (193-1998, college: N.Texas) accounted for 12 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. American-Puerto Rican Kyle Vinales (188-1992, college: CCSU) came up with a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 12 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) and forward Weihao Li (204-1997) added 17 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Sichuan in the defeat. Four Sichuan players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Pioneers. Tianjin P. moved-up to seventeenth place, which they share with Xinjiang. Sichuan lost their 38th game in a row. They still close the standings. Tianjin P. will meet at home higher ranked Qingdao E. (#8) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Sichuan will play against Beijing (#12) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Sichuan BW: V.Kyle 33+5reb+12ast, L.Weihao 17+6reb+1ast, Z.Zhennian 15+8reb+1ast, Y.Xiaoyong 10+5reb+1ast, L.Zhang 6+1reb, H.Xin 3+4reb+1ast
Tianjin P.: J.James 26+12reb+2ast, J.Reynolds 16+4reb+2ast, J.Hamlet 12+6reb+7ast, J.Yansong 11+2reb, B.Lin 8+3ast, J.Lai 7+4reb

Xinjiang FT - Shenzhen L. 96-104

Everything went according to plan when third ranked Leopards (28-11) defeated 17th ranked Flying Tigers (13-26) in Urumqi 104-96 on Wednesday. Shenzhen L. looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. American guard Terquavion Smith (193-2002, college: NC State) nailed 45 points (!!!), 15 rebounds and 14 assists for the winning side and his fellow American import Alize Johnson (206-1996, college: Missouri St.) accounted for 29 points and 9 rebounds. American guard Zach Nutall (190-1999, college: SMU) came up with 32 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists and center Yanzhe Li (213-2000) added 12 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Xinjiang in the defeat. Four Xinjiang players scored in double figures. Flying Tigers' coach rotated twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. The victory was the fourteenth consecutive win for Leopards. Shenzhen L. maintains third place with 28-11 record having seven points less than leader Shanghai S. Xinjiang lost their third game in a row. They keep the seventeenth position with 26 games lost. They share it with Tianjin P.. Shenzhen L. will meet at home Ningbo R. (#11) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Xinjiang will play against the league's leader Shanghai (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Xinjiang FT: N.Zach 32+8reb+6ast, Q.Lin 17+1reb+1ast, L.Yanzhe 12+6reb+1ast, B.Boo 10+4reb+3ast, R.Yang 9+4reb+1ast, T.Aizimaiti 6+5reb
Shenzhen L.: T.Smith 45+15reb+14ast, A.Johnson 29+9reb+3ast, P.Zhou 11+2reb, P.Lu 5+4reb+2ast, M.Li 4+4reb, R.Zifeng 3+2ast

Jiangsu D. - Fujian S. 76-84

There was no surprise when 19th ranked Jiangsu Dragons (10-29) lost to fifteenth ranked Sturgeons (15-24) in Nanjing 76-84 on Thursday. Fujian S. made 24-of-30 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Forward Yang Zou (198-2000) nailed a double-double by scoring 19 points and 12 rebounds for the winning side and American point guard QJ Peterson (183-1994, college: VMI, agency: JCK Sports Group) accounted for 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). American forward Harry Giles III (208-1998, college: Duke) came up with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds and guard Zhenglin Pang (183-1971) added 13 points and 4 assists respectively for Jiangsu D. in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Fujian S. moved-up to fourteenth place, which they share with Jilin NE T. Jiangsu D. lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the nineteenth position with 29 games lost. Fujian S. will meet higher ranked Guangdong ST (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Jiangsu D. will play against Shanxi L. (#10) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Jiangsu D.: G.III Harry 23+10reb+3ast, P.Zhenglin 13+2reb+4ast, L.Chengyao 11+3reb+1ast, J.Haoran 10+5reb+1ast, H.Feron 6+5reb+2ast, L.Zhengqing 5
Fujian S.: Y.Zou 19+12reb+1ast, Q.Peterson 18+7reb+4ast, I.Briscoe 12+2ast, V.Brodziansky 11+1reb, J.Liu 6+3reb+2ast, X.Yang 6+2reb

Jilin NE T. - Zhejiang GB. 66-82

No shocking result in a game when seventh ranked Golden Bulls (24-15) beat 14th ranked Jilin Tigers (15-24) in Changchun 82-66 on Thursday. Zhejiang GB. outrebounded Jilin NE T. 33-21 including 25 on the defensive glass. American power forward Dakari Johnson (213-1995, college: Kentucky) nailed a double-double by scoring 22 points and 11 rebounds for the winning side and international Shuaipeng Cheng (191-1999) accounted for 17 points and 4 assists. American forward DJ Wilson (208-1996, college: Michigan) came up with 15 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and American-Albanian point guard Dallas Moore (185-1994, college: UNF) added 19 points and 6 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) respectively for Jilin NE T. in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Zhejiang GB. moved-up to sixth place. Jilin NE T. lost their third game in a row. They keep the fourteenth position with 24 games lost. They share it with Fujian S.. Zhejiang GB. will meet Liaoning (#9) in the next round. Jilin NE T. will play against Guangzhou (#13) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Jilin NE T.: M.Dallas 19+1reb+6ast, W.D.J. 15+9reb+5ast, H.Jia 10, J.Weize 6+2reb+1ast, Z.Fanri 4+2reb+1ast, L.Luan 4
Zhejiang GB.: D.Johnson 22+11reb+3ast, S.Cheng 17+4ast, Y.Li 10+2ast, A.Andrews 10+1reb+4ast, W.Lu 9+4reb+1ast, W.Zilu 8+7reb+2ast