Let's cut to the chase, shall we? Xinjiang Flying Tigers are coming to visit Shandong Heroes for what promises to be quite the spectacle.
The Xinjiang boys have some hard-hitters in QJ Peterson and Dedrick Lawson who've been putting quite the show last month, averaging 15 and 13.7 points per game respectively. Lin Qi has also managed an impressive 17 points on average in past games, while Abudushalamu Abudurexiti is showing potential with an average of 10.3 points and 8.3 rebounds. All impressive numbers, mind you! And though the Xinjiang Flying Tigers... well, haven't been flying high recently with mixed bags of wins and losses, they can't be dismissed outright.
On the home side, the Shandong Heroes have built a strong fortress for themselves. The Heroes' Marquese Chriss and Jarmar Gulley are stealing the light with 16.6 and 15.8 points per game last month. Dallas Moore implies continuity of form with an average of 15.8 points too. The Heroes certainly know how to make their name stand proud, and their recent wins certainly bode well for them.
Past dances between these two have been as close as you could expect, with the latest act edging the Heroes' way by a narrow margin. It's a thrilling back and forth, much like a high stakes game of ping pong. And speaking of back and forth, have you seen the standings? Shandong's situated more comfortably at #4, while Xinjiang's at #8.
But the betting world loves underdogs. Or flying tigers for that matter. That said, my nod in this CBA standoff has to go to...
Albert’s Prediction: Shandong Heroes by 7