Hsin Chin-chan's stellar in-your-face defense against Dacin Tiger great Tien Lei in the Jeoutai Elephants' one-point victory over the Tigers Sunday night made him just the second Elephants player to claim the weekly "Mister Hustle" honor.
The reserve defensive specialist also accounted for 13 of the Elephants' 20 fourth-quarter points to lead all scorers with 21 points for the game.
It was by far his best showing of the season.
Hsin followed the footsteps of fellow teammate Yang Yu-ming to take home the weekly award for his relentless coverage on Tien that held the Tigers scoreless during the entire third quarter, allowing the Elephants to gain the initiative and eventually win the game.
The 25-year-old forward knew he had the toughest job of anyone on his team because Tien not only has a 12cm height advantage over him, but Tien's well known first step off the dribble is tough to defend against.
"I knew what I was up against going into the game," Hsin said after the game. Tien may be taller than me, but he is not as well built, which means I don't have to worry about him being too physical with me."
Dinos versus Mars
In tonight's game, the Yulon Dinos will take on a hungry BCC Mars squad, as the league's top two offenses (the Dinos average 78.4 points per game compared to the Mars' 80.1) go head-to-head for their fourth and final regular-season game.
The Dinos are the only team that the Mars have not beaten this season, and victory, coupled with a Sina Lions loss, would move the Mars into a two-way tie for second-place in the standings.
Mars' field general Yen Hsing-shu needs to control the tempo of the game and find the open man against an aggressive defense.
LIONS VERSUS TIGERS
The Lions have a date with the Tigers tomorrow afternoon in a showdown between the No.2 and No.3 teams, respectively, in the league.
A loss to the Tigers may put them in a three-way tie for second place with the Tigers and the Mars.
Bank of Taiwan
versus Elephants
Game 2 tomorrow night features the last-place Bank of Taiwan against a red-hot Elephants team that squeezed by the Tigers last week in a one-point thriller.
The Elephants must win to remain in the playoff race, otherwise they'll be watching it on TV.
Taiwan Beer versus Dinos
Taiwan Beer standout Lin Chih-jeh's physical endurance will be tested on Sunday as he expects to play the entire game in a must-win battle against the Dinos.
A loss by the brewmasters would eliminate them from the post-season party.
TIGERS VERSUS MARS
A lot will be on the line for the Tigers on Sunday night as they face the Mars in the teams' final regular-season game.
Tien Lei should have a big game, because he is too quick for the Mars' big men and he can easily shoot over the heads of the guards.
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