Jiangsu vs. Shijiazhuang Preview: Balvin Aims to Defend Home Court, Williams Targets Season Opener Win



On June 19th, the NBL regular season continues with Jiangsu Tonggou Guocang hosting Shijiazhuang Xianglan.

In their opening round of the new season, Jiangsu Tonggou Guocang narrowly defeated Hefei Fengfeng Junmao 86-83. Balvin showcased an impressive performance, playing 36 minutes and scoring 19 points, grabbing 18 rebounds, and dishing out 5 assists on 7-of-13 shooting. Although his free throw shooting was only 5-of-10, his overall performance met expectations. If he maintains his presence in the paint, Shijiazhuang’s interior defense and rebounding will face significant challenges.

Besides Balvin as the key import, Ledu and Paninic also demonstrated good form in rotation, while Yu Xiang’s 12 points and 8 assists in the first match caught fans’ attention with his exceptional playmaking and fast breaks. Liu Jiange contributed four three-pointers, providing outside scoring for Jiangsu.

If Jiangsu can sustain strong inside-outside connections and maintain the impact of its core players from the opening game, their chances of securing a home victory are high.

Shijiazhuang Xianglan lost their first match 100-104 to Henan Sheji Laojiu after two overtime periods. Despite Willams’ 36 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists in the final stretch when his energy was depleted, he couldn’t secure a win for Shijiazhuang.

Facing Jiangsu Tonggou Guocang, Shijiazhuang needs more support from Ndoo in the paint. Ndoo had a quiet game in the opener, scoring just 9 points on 4-of-10 shooting, with 15 rebounds and 4 turnovers, drawing criticism for his 1-of-4 performance at the free throw line. His ability to withstand Balvin’s interior pressure will be a crucial factor for Shijiazhuang’s away game success.

Additionally, Shijiazhuang shot poorly from three-point range in their first game, going 7-of-33. Many domestic players missed open threes, which lessened Williams’ playmaking effectiveness. To win on the road, Williams must maintain a convincing offensive performance, while the local players need to improve their shot-making opportunities.

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