MACAU CLASSIC GAME NOTES: GROUP A — Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (2-0) vs. Suwon KT Sonicboom (2-1)

Taoyuan seeks 3-0 start and season sweep of Suwon KT at Macau Classic

December 11, 2024 — Studio City Event Center

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Storylines:

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KT to play with one import

Rayshaun Hammonds (#13) registered a game-high 23 points to lead Suwon KT in its 80-78 victory over the Hiroshima Dragonflies on Dec. 4. Hammonds currently leads the Sonicboom in both KBL (19.2 ppg) and EASL (22.0 ppg) scoring.

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Suwon KT will compete with just one import player in its East Asia Super League (EASL) Macau Classic matchup against the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots. The team initially had two imports, Rayshaun Hammonds and Jeremiah Tilmon Jr. However, Tilmon was later replaced by Jordan Morgan, who signed with KT on November 16.

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But during Suwon KT's Korean Basketball League (KBL) game against Ulsan Hyundai Mobis on Nov. 30, Morgan suffered a hamstring injury that will require an eight-week recovery period. As a result, Hammonds is now the team’s lone import player while KT continues its search for a replacement. The team will be undermanned heading into the game against Taoyuan.

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On Dec. 4, the Sonicboom faced their first EASL test with only one import player, hosting the reigning B.LEAGUE champions, the Hiroshima Dragonflies. Despite Hiroshima fielding two imports, KT pulled off an upset victory, thanks to standout performances from role players Park Ji-won and Park Jun-yong.

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The upcoming matchup against Taoyuan presents a tougher challenge, as their two key imports, Treveon Graham and Alec Brown, are among the best in the league. However, KT has already proven it can win without relying heavily on foreign players and will aim to do so again in Macau.

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Taoyuan eyes 3-0 start

Taoyuan has dominated opponents in its 2-0 start to the 2024-25 season. The Pauian Pilots have defeated their competition by an average margin of 18.5 points and have totaled at least three double-digit scorers in both contests.

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At 2-0 and atop Group A, Taoyuan has excelled in the first half of the 2024-25 EASL season. The Pauian Pilots boast an average win margin of 18.5 points and play an impressive brand of team basketball, with their offense built around stars Treveon Graham, Alec Brown, and Lu Chun-Hsiang.

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On Dec. 11 in Macau, Taoyuan has the chance to improve to 3-0, potentially becoming only the third team in EASL history to remain undefeated through its first three games—and the first from the P. LEAGUE+. The Pauian Pilots would join the B.LEAGUE’s 2024-25 Ryukyu Golden Kings, who accomplished the feat on Dec. 4, and the 2023-24 Chiba Jets, last season’s EASL champions.

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So far, nothing can slow Taoyuan down. In addition to their offensive firepower, the Pauian Pilots excel defensively, most notably holding KT to just 70 points — an EASL season-low for a single game — during their first meeting on Oct. 23.

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Familiar Foes

Lu Chun-Hsiang (black uniform) drives on Suwon KT's Moon Jeong Hyeon during their game on Oct. 23. Both teams were neck-in-neck until the fourth quarter when the Pauian Pilots outscored KT 25-7 to capture victory.

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Taoyuan wasn’t supposed to beat KT so convincingly on Oct. 23. In unfamiliar territory, the two teams battled closely until the fourth quarter, when the Pauian Pilots dominated defensively, holding the Sonicboom to just seven points in the final 10 minutes.

This rematch at the Macau Classic presents a different dynamic. KT is riding high after a win over Hiroshima on Dec. 4, while Taoyuan, still undefeated, hasn’t played since November 13 — just before the FIBA International Break.

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In their October matchup, Taoyuan’s dominance was evident in two key areas: assists (21 to KT’s 12) and 3-point shooting (35.7% to KT’s 20.6%). The Pauian Pilots excelled at ball movement and quick decision-making, while KT leaned heavily on star point guard Heo Hoon, as Hammonds struggled. Despite their poor shooting, KT stuck to a game plan centered on 3-pointers, to little success.

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KT isn’t a weak 3-point shooting team, as shown by their 35.7% accuracy in their last game. However, if they hope to avoid a season sweep and keep their Final Four ambitions alive, they’ll need to be at their absolute best against a Taoyuan squad that has shown few vulnerabilities. And of course, another late-game collapse would be inexcusable.

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Taoyuan Pauian Pilots Players To Watch:

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#24 Treveon Graham — Forward, 6-foot-5

2024-25 EASL Averages: 28.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists
2024-25 P. LEAGUE+ Averages: 18.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists
Joined the Pauian Pilots in 2024
Graham spent time in the NBA with the Charlotte Hornets (2016-18), Brooklyn Nets (2018-19), Minnesota Timberwolves (2019-20) and Atlanta Hawks (2020)
Graham went undrafted in the 2015 NBA Draft
2-time First-Team All-Atlantic 10 (2014, 2015)
2013 Second Team All-Atlantic 10
2015 Atlantic 10 Tournament MVP
Graham attended Virginia Commonwealth University (2011-2015)
Graham is from Washington D.C., USA

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#12 Li Chia Kang — Guard, 6-foot-1