For the first time in ABL history, two teammates put up a triple-double.
Marcus Elliott and Tyler Lamb both poured in gaudy numbers as the Hong Kong Eastern Basketball came away with their ninth win of the season by routing the CLS Knights Indonesia, 104-81 on Wednesday at the Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai.
Elliott, who amazingly notched his third straight triple-double, tallied 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. Equally superb was Lamb who also scored 23 points while also adding 12 boards (ties career-high) and 10 dimes (career-high). Lamb made seven three-pointers, tying his personal best.
“We feel good. We had a lot of making up to do in this game. Coach (Edu Torres) rode us pretty hard in practice so we feel good,” Elliott said as Hong Kong improved to a league-best 9-1 in the standings.
Hong Kong was wax hot in the first quarter as they jumped to a 16-0 lead to start the game. The defending champions never relinquished their control of the match. They led by as much as 31 points in the lopsided affair.
Brian Williams had another double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds. New import Shane Edwards had a quiet debut with 15 points on 31 percent shooting. The Knights have now lost their eight straight contest.
“It’s always fun to come out here and get a big win,” Lamb shared. “Everybody gets in the game. Everybody gets a chance to shoot and score.”
Lamb and Elliott were dishing the basketball to their teammates with ease. Lee Ki hit four triples for 12 points and Lau Tsz Lai also provided hot shooting, going 5-for-7 from rainbow country.
“The result that you see from me and Tyler is actually an assist by them because they push us every day,” Elliott pointed out on the help they are getting from their local players.
“I see them every day in practice. I know what they are capable of doing. Each of them can play,” added Lamb. “So what I expect from the locals when they get into to the game is to have confidence and to shoot the shot when it’s there.”
Hong Kong had 25 assists and hit 17 three-pointers, one shy of tying the league record.
“It’s not so much about the numbers and the stats,” Elliott humbly said. “But it’s more about fine tuning the team.”
The defending champions will get to avenge their lone loss of the season when they head to Vietnam to face the Saigon Heat on February 4.
