Preview: Hong Kong Golden Bulls vs. Changsha Baytian Tigers – Jones Aims to Lead Hong Kong to Consecutive Wins, Away Revenge Unlikely for Changsha

On June 23, the NBL regular season sees the Hong Kong Golden Bulls hosting the Changsha Baytian Tigers.

The Hong Kong Golden Bulls have so far secured a 3-0 record, tying with Anhui Wenyi as the only unbeaten teams. In their last match, they defeated Wuhan Kunpeng comfortably, 106-92. Jones contributed 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Oliver scored 14 points and 15 rebounds. Walker, coming off the bench, notched an impressive 30 points. Among domestic players, Zhu Songwei scored 15 points, and Diao Zhanxian added 11.

The Hong Kong Golden Bulls are one of the most closely watched teams in the NBL this season. They signed Jones from Xinjiang, former Guangsha import Oliver, and Walker, who averaged over 20 points per game in the NBA G League. Domestically, Zhu Songwei and Liu Chuanxing possess starting-caliber abilities in the CBA. As such, their sole objective is to win the championship. Through the first three games, they’ve averaged a net victory margin of 18 points, indicating strong performance.

The Changsha Baytian Tigers have a 2-1 record, placing them fourth in the league. In their previous game, they won on the road against Guangxi Weizhuang, 100-88. Maric scored 26 points and 12 rebounds, Fordson had 15 points and 6 assists, and Wilkes contributed 22 points. Domestic player Gao Yan chipped in with 13 points. With three solid imports, Changsha demonstrates competitive strength this season.

Changsha has also made significant investments this season. Fordson previously led Guangsha to the finals, while Wilkes was a key player for Jilin. Maric, standing at 2.11 meters, provides a height advantage in the NBL. Domestically, players like Song Jianhua and Sun Chunpeng possess CBA-caliber skills. Changsha earned a runner-up finish in the preseason tournament.

In this clash between Hong Kong and Changsha, both teams possess quality. They faced each other in the preseason final, with Hong Kong narrowly winning by a point to claim the title. This time around, Changsha’s prospects for revenge seem slim. Hong Kong’s imports hold the upper hand, and domestically, Hong Kong also has an advantage. Moreover, they have home court advantage. For Changsha, this fixture presents a significant challenge.