Henan vs. Shijiazhuang Preview: Henan Aims for Home Victory and Double Over Shijiazhuang

On June 29, the NBL regular season continues as the Henan Shede Laojiu hosts the Shijiazhuang Xianglan.

Henan Shede Laojiu lost their previous game to Jiangsu Guocang, ending their chance at a third consecutive win. They currently hold a 3-2 record, ranking fifth in the league. The team’s roster has undergone minimal changes compared to last season, with a relatively young squad and a few older players departing. Henan has added several 05-born rookies. Addressing the issues arising from their youth, they have conducted targeted training to compensate for their lack of experience, strength, and physicality. They set a goal to reach the playoffs during the off-season.

In five games so far, Henan has shown strong performance in their outside shooting, averaging 11.3 three-pointers per game, second in the league, with a 35.7% three-point shooting percentage, also ranking high. However, they struggle with foul control, committing an average of 22.2 fouls per game, allowing opponents to score. Additionally, ball security is a concern, with an average of 15.2 turnovers per game, among the highest in the league. In their last match, Henan Shede Laojiu lost 68-77 away to Jiangsu Guocang, with domestic player Liang Rubo shining with a team-high 20 points and 7 rebounds, though the team’s overall form dipped.

Shijiazhuang Xianglan, after losing to Changsha, now stands at 2-3, ranked seventh. Last season, they started well, surprising fans, finishing the regular season with a 10-12 record, securing sixth place and advancing to the playoffs. However, they were eliminated by Guangxi Weizhuang in the first round. During the off-season, the team underwent significant changes, essentially becoming a new squad with imports like Wilmot. Coach Li Kehua expressed ambitions for better performance and a deeper run in the new season.

This season, Shijiazhuang has been aggressive on offense, averaging 97.8 points per game, fourth in the league. They also excel in scoring from the free-throw line, averaging 23.4 attempts and converting 16.8 per game. In their last match, they lost 86-103 to Changsha Wanyue Tingyong, despite a standout performance from import Mo Ma, who scored a team-high 25 points and 8 rebounds. However, Shijiazhuang’s defense showed vulnerabilities.

In their first meeting this season, Henan Shede Laojiu narrowly defeated Shijiazhuang Xianglan 103-100 in an offensive showcase. As the two teams clash again, it remains to be seen who will emerge victorious.

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