Xinjiang vs Jiangsu Preview: Smith and Peterson Aim to End Xinjiang’s Two-Game Losing Streak

On the evening of October 24, the CBA regular season continues with Xinjiang hosting Jiangsu.

Jiangsu’s start to the new season has been very poor, losing to Xinjiang in the opening game, followed by defeats against Beikong, Shenzhen, Jilin, and Shanghai, resulting in a five-game losing streak at the start of the season. They currently rank third from the bottom in the league. Jiangsu’s scoring ability is limited, averaging only 95 points per game, which places them second from the bottom, just above Guangzhou. They also allow an average of 109.8 points per game. Additionally, Jiangsu’s three-point shooting has been abysmal, hitting only 9.8 threes per game with a 30.8% success rate. Their control over turnovers and fouls is also very poor, with an average of 18.6 turnovers and 27.4 fouls per game, both ranking among the top three in the league. So far, Jiangsu has shown little improvement compared to last season.

This season, Jiangsu remains heavily reliant on foreign players, with five players averaging double-digit points, the top three being foreigners. Among them, Smith averages 28.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2.4 steals per game. Goodwin contributes 14.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, while Thompson averages 14 points and 10.8 rebounds. The two domestic players are Cui Xiaolong and Zheng Qilong.

In their most recent game, Jiangsu lost 92-100 to Shanghai at home. Despite having an advantage in rebounding, they committed 32 fouls, and four players scored in double digits. Smith had a poor shooting night, hitting only 31.6% of his shots for 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. Thompson put up 26 points and 15 rebounds, while Cui Xiaolong contributed 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Facing a Shanghai team that was also struggling to win, Jiangsu ultimately fell short, giving Shanghai their first win of the season.

Xinjiang, on the other hand, started the season strong with wins over Jiangsu, Shenzhen, and Beikong, securing a three-game winning streak. However, they have since lost to Guangdong and Beijing, suffering a two-game losing streak and currently ranking ninth in the league. Xinjiang has a solid offensive output, averaging 108 points per game, placing them in the upper half of the league. However, their defense needs improvement, allowing an average of 105.2 points per game, with a defensive rating of 109.3 points per 100 possessions. They also struggle with foul control, committing an average of 24.6 fouls per game. On the bright side, they are very active on the boards, averaging 50 rebounds per game, ranking third in the league behind Shanxi and Beijing.

Four Xinjiang players are averaging double-digit points this season. Peterson leads with 23.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game. Lawson contributes 20.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, while Qi Lin averages 17 points and 3.8 rebounds, and Li Yanzhe adds 12.4 points and 7 rebounds.

In their most recent game, Xinjiang lost 89-98 to Beijing on the road. Xinjiang kept pace with the red-hot Beijing for the first three quarters, even leading by nearly double digits at one point, but they struggled in the fourth quarter, scoring only 19 points to Beijing’s 29, ultimately falling short. Qi Lin led all scorers with 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Peterson managed only 12 points. Li Yanzhe and Qi Lin did their best, but Xinjiang’s defense has declined compared to last season.

In their head-to-head matchups last season, Jiangsu failed to secure any wins against Xinjiang. In the season opener, Jiangsu lost 98-112 to Xinjiang on the road. Peterson came off the bench to score 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, with five Xinjiang players scoring in double digits. Smith, despite his best efforts, could not carry the team, scoring a game-high 37 points. The gap between the benches was evident.

To boost their competitiveness, Jiangsu has signed South Sudanese center Akos, bringing their total number of foreign players to four. On the Xinjiang side, Zhao Rui has missed the first five games due to physical testing requirements, and it is uncertain whether he will play today. Similarly, Adbushalamu’s return is also uncertain. Although Xinjiang has suffered consecutive losses, their overall strength and form are clearly superior to Jiangsu’s. With Jiangsu continuing to play away from home, their chances of winning are slim.

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