The Jilin Northeast Tigers finally found their rhythm on Thursday night, securing a thrilling 116-114 victory over the Ningbo Rockets in Changchun, northeast China’s Jilin Province. This hard-fought win ends the Tigers’ four-game losing streak and reignites their momentum in the league.
Despite missing their star player Dominique Jones due to injury, the home team displayed resilience and depth. Czech guard Tomas Kyzlink stepped up spectacularly, delivering a near-perfect performance. Shooting an impressive 9-for-10 from the field, Kyzlink tallied a team-high 30 points, alongside 15 assists and three steals, proving instrumental in the Tigers’ triumph.
Kyzlink was unstoppable from the outset, contributing 11 points and seven assists in the first quarter alone. His dynamic playmaking helped Jilin outscore Ningbo 37-27. The Tigers extended their lead in the second quarter, with Kyzlink’s precision from beyond the arc pushing the advantage to a commanding 21 points at 60-39.
However, the Ningbo Rockets were not deterred. Led by Jordan Howard, Wang Zirui, and Wang Junjie, the Rockets launched a resilient comeback. Their series of three-pointers narrowed the deficit to 11 points, trailing 70-59 at halftime. The second half saw Ningbo intensify their efforts, with Mangok Mathiang joining the offensive to challenge Jilin’s defense.
The tension peaked in the final moments of the game. With 19 seconds left, Luo Kaiwen sank his fourth three-pointer, bringing Ningbo within two points at 111-109. In a strategic move, Ningbo fouled Cui Jinming and Jiang Weize to stop the clock. Despite the pressure, Cui and Jiang remained composed at the free-throw line, securing the necessary points to prevent a fifth consecutive loss for Jilin.
In another matchup that evening, the Beikong Royal Fighters edged out the Nanjing Monkey Kings 107-103 in Nanjing, east China’s Jiangsu Province, marking their second consecutive win.
The Royal Fighters established an early lead, thanks to Grant Riller‘s dominant performance, leading by as much as 14 points at 48-34 in the first half. The Monkey Kings, however, rallied in the second half. Ty Leaf spearheaded Nanjing’s offense, attacking the rim relentlessly, and managed to pull ahead 89-88 early in the fourth quarter.
Beikong’s Zou Yuchen proved vital in the final quarter, delivering solid plays under the basket to reclaim the lead. Although Nanjing’s Zhao Baiqing made critical shots from beyond the arc to keep the game within reach, the Monkey Kings ultimately could not overcome the deficit, succumbing to their third straight loss.
These exciting matchups highlight the competitive spirit and unpredictability of the league, promising more thrilling games ahead for basketball fans across Asia and beyond.
Reference(s):
Jilin Northeast Tigers beat Ningbo Rockets to end 4-game losing streak
cgtn.com
