The Hiroshima Dragonflies will head to the EASL Finals 2025 after frustrating Jeremy Lin and the New Taipei Kings for a commanding 81-65 victory.
MACAU—The Hiroshima Dragonfilies will be the first team to enter the EASL Finals 2025 after outworking the New Taipei Kings, 81-65, at the Macau Studio City Event Center on Friday, March 7.
Trailing 40-41 to start the second half, the Dragonflies used a strong third quarter surge behind Ryu Watanabe and import Dwayne Evans to give themselves some cushion over the Kings.
The defending Japan B.League champions then continued to frustrate New Taipei, building its largest lead at 75-60 after team captain Toshiki Kamisawa’s triple.
From there, Hiroshima cruised to a commanding victory to head to their first EASL Final.
Evans led the way for the Dragonflies with 20 points and 16 rebounds, while Kerry Blackshear Jr. scored 18 as well despite fouling out early in the fourth quarter.
Former NBA champion Jeremy Lin, who made his return from a right hamstring injury, struggled from the field, scoring just seven points.
Hiroshima will now await the winner between the Ryukyu Golden Kings and Taoyuan Pauian Pilots later at 9 p.m.
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The EASL Final 2025 will happen on Sunday, March 7, still at the Macau Studio City Event Center.