Third-ranked Nagoya Diamond Dolphins (11-11) made lots of trouble for first ranked Kawasaki Brave Thunders (19-3) in Nagoya on Saturday. The visitors from Kanagawa managed to secure only two-point victory 69-67. However their fans expected easier game. International power forward Nick Fazekas (211-85) fired a double-double by scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. Uruguayan power forward Mathias Calfani (204-92) chipped in 9 points and 6 rebounds. Brave Thunders’ coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American forward Justin Burrell (207-88) produced a double-double by scoring 16 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists and his fellow American import center Hilton Armstrong (210-84) added 12 points and 9 rebounds respectively for lost side. Four Diamond Dolphins players scored in double figures. Brave Thunders have an impressive 11-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 19-3 record. Diamond Dolphins at the other side keep the third place with 11 games lost. Brave Thunders will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Diamond Dolphins will play again at home against the league’s leader Brave Thunders and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Height: 211 cm / 6’11”
Position: PF/C
Born: Jun 17, 1985
Weight: 111 kg / 244 lbs
Team: Kawasaki BT (2012-21)
B2 Regular Season – Round 28
Game 2 (Sunday, December 22nd, 2019)
An interesting game for Sendai 89ers (19-9) which played road game in Nagoya against 3rd ranked Fighting Eagles Nagoya (15-13). Second ranked Sendai 89ers managed to get a 11-point victory 73-62. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Jerome Tillman (201-87) who helped to win the game recording 27 points and 7 rebounds and Keita Sawabe (184-95) who added 13 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American forward Josh Hawkinson (208-95) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 16 rebounds and guard Kei Sugimoto (182-92) scored 11 points, 5 assists and 4 steals. FE Nagoya’s coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Sendai 89ers have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader. FE Nagoya at the other side keeps the third place with 13 games lost. They share the position with Ehime Orange Vikings and Ibaraki Robots. Sendai 89ers will play against Yamagata (#6) at home in the next round where they are favorite. FE Nagoya will play against the league’s leader Shinshu Brave Warriors in Nagano and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
