Chiba dominate the Braves to continue perfect season

December 27, 2023 – Funabashi Arena, Chiba, Japan‍

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Chiba Jets' perfect season continues after a dominating, 76-60 win Wednesday against P. LEAGUE+ champions Taipei Fubon Braves.

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John Mooney won his third straight EASL Player of the Game award after posting his third straight double-double, this time for 21 points and 15 rebounds.

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Post-game triple

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1. Fubon's imports struggle again

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The Braves sat out their two leading scorers, Michael Singletary and Chris Johnson, electing to go with Ihor Zaytsev and Stephen Zimmerman as their two registered imports.

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Zimmerman made his EASL debut and recorded a modest 11 points and 13 rebounds in over 32 minutes of play.

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Meanwhile, Zaytsev scored a season-low seven points, shooting a horrid two for 13, for 15 percent from the field.

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2. Jets win the game with balanced scoring

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Chiba Jets have been the standout team in EASL this season and have now gone a perfect 5-0.

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Multiple players have contributed to the scoresheets during Chiba's wins this season. This evening, nine of their 10 active players recorded at least three points. Center John Mooney led the charge with a game-high 21 points.

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3. Chiba's Twin Peaks trump Taipei's bigs

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While the Braves were able to limit Jets talisman Yuki Togashi to 33 percent shooting for 11 points, the Japanese team dominated down low to take the game.

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Center John Mooney and Australian import Xavier Cooks combined for 30 rebounds, each player getting 15 boards apiece.

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The Braves countered with Zimmerman and Zaytsev, but they only combined for 19 rebounds.

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As a team, Chiba outrebounded Taipei 54-41 and outscored the Braves 11-6 in second-chance points.

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‍EASL Player of the Game: John Mooney, Chiba Jets‍

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Center John Mooney wins his third straight EASL Player of the Game award after posting a 21-point, 15-rebound stat line.

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Mooney is now averaging 24.3 points and 17.6 rebounds in three EASL games this season.

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If the Jets can continue to feed their big man, their perfect EASL season may run further.

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‍Stat of the day

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The Jets were extremely efficient in the paint against the Braves, shooting 22 for 38 in two-point shots for nearly 58 percent from the field.

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On the other hand, the Braves couldn't get their easy shots to go, shooting 18 for 47, for 38 percent in two-pointers on Wednesday.

Next games‍

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Chiba Jets: Home vs. Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (KBL) – January 10, 2024

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Taipei Fubon Braves: Home vs. Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (KBL) – February 7, 2024