NBL Round 10: Leader New Zealand Breakers lose to Kings

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Top ranked New Zealand Breakers (11-5) recorded its fifth loss in Auckland on Thursday night. Hosts were defeated by second ranked Kings (10-4) 88-81. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Forward Xavier Cooks (203-1995, college: Winthrop) fired a double-double by scoring 18 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American guard Derrick Walton Jr (185-1995, college: Michigan) chipped in 21 points. The former international guard William McDowell-White (196-1998, college: Fresno St.) produced 16 points and 8 assists for lost side. Defending champion maintains second position with 10-4 record behind leader NZL Breakers. New Zealand Breakers at the other side still keep top place with five games lost. Kings are looking forward to face Melbourne Phoenix (#3) on the road in the next round, which may be the game of the day. New Zealand Breakers will play against Perth Wildcats and are hoping to win this game.
Important game to mention about took place in Perth. Seventh ranked Perth Wildcats (7-7) saved a 1-point victory at home edging 8th ranked United (7-11) 90-89 in the game for the sixth place. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Bryce Cotton (182-1992, college: Providence, agency: Pensack Sports) who helped to win the game recording 29 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Corey Webster contributed with 20 points for the winners. Canadian guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes (193-1994, college: FSU) replied with 22 points for United. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Perth Wildcats moved-up to sixth place. United at the other side dropped to the seventh position with 11 games lost. Perth Wildcats will play against league's leader New Zealand Breakers in Auckland in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. United will play at home against Illawarra Hawks (#10) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Melbourne: United (#8) and Melbourne Phoenix (#3). United (7-11) smashed visiting Melbourne Phoenix (10-7) by 16 points 92-76. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Melbourne Phoenix. Rayjon Tucker scored 33 points (!!!) to lead the charge for the winners. At the losing side Mitch Creek responded with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds. United moved-up to seventh place. Loser Melbourne Phoenix keeps the third position with seven games lost. United will meet at home bottom-ranked Illawarra Hawks (#10) in the next round. Melbourne Phoenix will play against the league's second-placed Kings (#2) having rather not much hope for a victory.

Rest of the games of round 10 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
bottom-ranked Illawarra was crushed by SE Melbourne in a road game 111-72. Cairns beat Illawarra at home 102-101. Brisbane lost to Melbourne on the opponent's court 88-104. SE Melbourne managed to outperform Adelaide in a home game 102-84. Tasmania JJ managed to beat Sydney on the road 84-76. Cairns defeated Brisbane on its own court 85-76.

NZL Breakers - Sydney 81-88

Top ranked New Zealand Breakers (11-5) recorded its fifth loss in Auckland on Thursday night. Hosts were defeated by second ranked Kings (10-4) 88-81. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Forward Xavier Cooks (203-1995, college: Winthrop) fired a double-double by scoring 18 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American guard Derrick Walton Jr (185-1995, college: Michigan) chipped in 21 points. The former international guard William McDowell-White (196-1998, college: Fresno St.) produced 16 points and 8 assists and American Barry Brown Jr (190-1996, college: Kansas St.) added 15 points respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Defending champion maintains second position with 10-4 record behind leader NZL Breakers. New Zealand Breakers at the other side still keep top place with five games lost. Kings are looking forward to face Melbourne Phoenix (#3) on the road in the next round, which may be the game of the day. New Zealand Breakers will play against Perth Wildcats and are hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Sydney: D.Walton Jr. 21+2reb+3ast, X.Cooks 18+11reb+5ast, J.Simon 14+3reb+1ast, T.Soares 11+9reb+1ast, S.Bruce 6+5ast, D.Vasiljevic 6+4reb+1ast
NZL Breakers: I.Mauriohooho-Le'afa 17+3reb, W.McDowell-White 16+2reb+8ast, B.Brown Jr. 15+3reb+3ast, J.Brantley 12+4reb+2ast, D.Pardon 11+4reb+1ast, T.Vodanovich 7+9reb

SE Melbourne - Illawarra 111-72

There was no surprise when 10th ranked Illawarra Hawks (2-12) were crushed on the road by third ranked Melbourne Phoenix (10-7) 111-72 on Thursday. Melbourne Phoenix made 25-of-29 free shots (86.2 percent) during the game. They also forced 20 Illawarra Hawks turnovers and outrebounded them 39-26 including a 29-15 advantage in defensive rebounds. Melbourne Phoenix shot the lights out from three sinking 16 long-distance shots on high 59.3 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Illawarra Hawks' players. The former international forward Ryan Broekhoff (197-1990, college: Valpo) scored 21 points and 7 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and American center Alan Williams (203-1993, college: UCSB) chipped in 11 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. Five Melbourne Phoenix players scored in double figures. At the losing side American guard Michael Frazier II (191-1994, college: Florida) responded with 20 points and his fellow American import guard Tyler Harvey (194-1993, college: EWU) scored 13 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Melbourne Phoenix have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 10-7 record behind leader NZL Breakers. Loser Illawarra Hawks stay at the bottom place with 12 games lost. Melbourne Phoenix will meet at home league's second-placed Kings in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Illawarra Hawks will play against United (#7) in Melbourne and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
SE Melbourne: R.Broekhoff 21+7reb, M.Creek 19+2reb+5ast, G.Browne 12+2reb+10ast, A.Williams 11+11reb+4ast, K.Adnam 10+2reb+3ast, J.Madut 9+3reb+1ast
Illawarra: M.Frazier II 20+1reb+1ast, T.Harvey 13+1reb+1ast, P.Siva 8+2reb+3ast, S.Froling 8+4reb+2ast, M.Mathiang 7+6reb, D.Deng 5+4reb

Cairns - Illawarra 102-101

No shocking result in a game when fourth ranked Cairns Taipans (9-5) edged at home bottom-ranked Illawarra Hawks (2-12) 102-101 on Saturday. However just one-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Cairns Taipans outrebounded Illawarra Hawks 49-38 including 39 on the defensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The former international power forward Keanu Pinder (205-1995, college: Arizona) had a double-double by scoring 18 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners and American guard Tahjere McCall (193-1994, college: Tennessee St.) chipped in 23 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. Cairns Taipans' coach Adam Forde used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. At the losing side American guard Michael Frazier II (191-1994, college: Florida) responded with 26 points and 8 rebounds and the former international power forward Samson Froling (212-2000, college: Creighton) scored 22 points and 6 rebounds. Four Cairns Taipans and five Illawarra Hawks players scored in double figures. Cairns Taipans maintains fourth position with 9-5 record. Loser Illawarra Hawks stay at the bottom place with 12 games lost. Cairns Taipans will meet JackJumpers (#5) in the next round. Illawarra Hawks will play against United (#7) in Melbourne and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Cairns: T.McCall 23+7reb+3ast, D.Hogg 23+3reb, K.Pinder 18+14reb+6ast, S.Scott 12+13reb+6ast, J.Antonio 8+2reb, M.Deng 7+8reb+3ast
Illawarra: M.Frazier II 26+8reb+3ast, S.Froling 22+6reb+3ast, T.Harvey 21+2reb+3ast, P.Siva 13+3reb+8ast, D.Deng 11+13reb+6ast, M.Mathiang 6+2reb

Melbourne - Brisbane 104-88

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 9th ranked Bullets' (4-10) road loss to eighth ranked United (7-11) 88-104 on Saturday. United looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Bullets' players. American guard Rayjon Tucker (191-1997, college: UALR) scored 20 points to lead the charge for the winners and the former international guard Chris Goulding (192-1988) chipped in 20 points during the contest. At the losing side international guard Nathan Sobey (190-1990, college: Wyoming) responded with 24 points and the former international guard Jason Cadee (186-1991) scored 14 points and 5 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. United moved-up to seventh place. Bullets lost third consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with ten games lost. United will meet at home bottom-ranked Illawarra Hawks (#10) in the next round. Bullets will play against Adelaide 36ers in Findon and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Melbourne: R.Tucker 20+3reb+3ast, C.Goulding 20+1reb+3ast, M.Lee 18+6reb, S.Ili 15+4reb+4ast, X.Rathan-Mayes 8+1reb+10ast, B.Newley 7+1ast
Brisbane: N.Sobey 24+4reb+2ast, G.Gak 15+6reb+1ast, J.Cadee 14+4reb+5ast, T.Johnson 12+5reb+2ast, R.Bach 8+2reb+1ast, A.Baynes 7+5reb

SE Melbourne - Adelaide 102-84

Rather predictable result when third ranked Melbourne Phoenix (10-7) beat at home 6th ranked Adelaide 36ers (6-7) 102-84 on Sunday. The former international swingman Mitch Creek (196-1992) scored 24 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Syrian-American guard George Kell III (193-1996, college: SDSU, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 20 points during the contest. At the losing side American forward Robert Franks (201-1996, college: WSU) responded with 18 points and 8 rebounds and the former international guard Mitchell McCarron (189-1992, college: MSU Denver) scored 8 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Melbourne Phoenix have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 10-7 record behind leader NZL Breakers. Loser Adelaide 36ers dropped to the eighth place with seven games lost. Melbourne Phoenix will meet at home league's second-placed Kings in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Adelaide 36ers will play against JackJumpers (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
SE Melbourne: M.Creek 24+9reb+4ast, G.Kell III 20+3reb+2ast, A.Williams 18+4reb+1ast, Q.Zhou 11+10reb, K.Adnam 8+1reb+1ast, G.Browne 7+5reb+3ast
Adelaide: R.Franks 18+8reb+2ast, N.Marshall 15+1reb+1ast, D.Johnson 10+8reb+1ast, S.Dech 10+2reb+1ast, A.Cleveland 9+2reb+1ast, M.McCarron 8+9reb+4ast

Sydney - Tasmania JJ 76-84

There was a minor upset in Sydney where much higher ranked Kings (10-4) were defeated by fifth ranked JackJumpers (8-6) 84-76 on Sunday. JackJumpers made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. American Milton Doyle (193-1993, college: Loyola, IL) scored 25 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and the former international forward Jack McVeigh (203-1996, college: Nebraska) chipped in 18 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American guard Derrick Walton Jr (185-1995, college: Michigan) responded with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international guard Dejan Vasiljevic (190-1997, college: Miami, FL) scored 17 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. JackJumpers have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position with 8-6 record. Defending champion Kings keep the second place with four games lost. JackJumpers will meet Adelaide 36ers (#8) in the next round. Kings will play against Melbourne Phoenix (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tasmania JJ: M.Doyle 25+6reb+4ast, J.McVeigh 18+9reb+1ast, R.Kelly 11+3reb, S.Macdonald 10+3reb+2ast, W.Magnay 8+6reb+1ast, J.Magette 7+2reb+6ast
Sydney: D.Walton Jr. 21+5reb+4ast, D.Vasiljevic 17+6reb+3ast, X.Cooks 12+8reb+5ast, T.Soares 8+3reb, K.Noi 8+2reb, J.Simon 6+4reb

Perth - Melbourne 90-89

Important game to mention about took place in Perth. Seventh ranked Perth Wildcats (7-7) saved a 1-point victory at home edging 8th ranked United (7-11) 90-89 in the game for the sixth place. Strangely United outrebounded Perth Wildcats 43-26 including a 28-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Bryce Cotton (182-1992, college: Providence, agency: Pensack Sports) who helped to win the game recording 29 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. New Zealand guard Corey Webster (188-1988, college: Lambuth) contributed with 20 points for the winners. Canadian guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes (193-1994, college: FSU) replied with 22 points and the former international guard Chris Goulding (192-1988) added 20 points in the effort for United. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Perth Wildcats moved-up to sixth place. United at the other side dropped to the seventh position with 11 games lost. Perth Wildcats will play against league's leader New Zealand Breakers in Auckland in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. United will play at home against Illawarra Hawks (#10) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Perth: B.Cotton 29+5reb+4ast, C.Webster 20+3ast, T.Thomas 13+7reb+3ast, L.Travers 11+6reb+5ast, T.Blanchfield 8+2reb+1ast, B.Manek 3
Melbourne: X.Rathan-Mayes 22+4reb+3ast, C.Goulding 20+3reb+2ast, I.Humphries 12+8reb+1ast, S.Ili 12+1reb+3ast, M.Lee 7+8reb+1ast, R.Tucker 6+8reb+3ast

Cairns - Brisbane 85-76

Everything went according to plan when fourth ranked Cairns Taipans (9-5) won against at home 9th ranked Bullets (4-10) 85-76 on Wednesday. Naturalized South Sudanese swingman Bul Kuol (201-1997, college: Detroit) scored 23 points to lead the charge for the winners and the former international power forward Keanu Pinder (205-1995, college: Arizona) chipped in 12 points and 15 rebounds during the contest. Four Cairns Taipans players scored in double figures. Cairns Taipans' coach Adam Forde used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side international guard Nathan Sobey (190-1990, college: Wyoming) responded with 13 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals and center Gorjok Gak (211-1996, college: CBU) produced a double-double by scoring 10 points and 11 rebounds. Cairns Taipans maintains fourth position with 9-5 record. Bullets lost third consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with ten games lost. Cairns Taipans will meet JackJumpers (#5) in the next round. Bullets will play against Adelaide 36ers (#8) in Findon and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Cairns: B.Kuol 23+4reb+3ast, D.Hogg 15+5reb+3ast, T.McCall 13+8reb+7ast, K.Pinder 12+15reb+1ast, B.Ayre 8+3reb+3ast, S.Scott 5+2reb
Brisbane: A.Baynes 17+5reb+2ast, N.Sobey 13+6reb+7ast, G.Gak 10+11reb+3ast, D.Mitchell 9+7reb+2ast, A.White III 9+1reb+1ast, J.Cadee 7+2reb+8ast

Melbourne - SE Melbourne 92-76

Another interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Melbourne: United (#8) and Melbourne Phoenix (#3). United (7-11) smashed visiting Melbourne Phoenix (10-7) by 16 points 92-76. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Melbourne Phoenix. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when United made 9 blocks. American guard Rayjon Tucker (191-1997, college: UALR) scored 33 points (!!!) to lead the charge for the winners and Canadian guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes (193-1994, college: FSU) chipped in 7 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. At the losing side the former international swingman Mitch Creek (196-1992) responded with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds and American center Alan Williams (203-1993, college: UCSB) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points and 12 rebounds. Four Melbourne Phoenix players scored in double figures. United moved-up to seventh place. Loser Melbourne Phoenix keeps the third position with seven games lost. United will meet at home bottom-ranked Illawarra Hawks (#10) in the next round. Melbourne Phoenix will play against the league's second-placed Kings (#2) having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Melbourne: R.Tucker 33+1reb+1ast, C.Goulding 16+3reb+2ast, S.Ili 8+1reb+1ast, M.Peatling 7+6reb+1ast, X.Rathan-Mayes 7+9reb+5ast, O.David 6+2reb
SE Melbourne: M.Creek 22+10reb+2ast, G.Browne 16+1reb+4ast, G.Kell III 16+4reb+3ast, A.Williams 15+12reb+2ast, Q.Zhou 4+4reb, R.Broekhoff 3+3reb



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