NBL Round 16: Kings lose to Perth Wildcats

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in NBL. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Top ranked Kings (17-7) recorded its seventh loss on the court of fifth ranked Perth Wildcats on Friday night. Visitors were defeated by Perth Wildcats 111-104. Perth Wildcats looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists. American guard Bryce Cotton (182-1992, college: Providence, agency: Pensack Sports) fired a double-double by scoring 21 points and 11 assists for the winners. The other American import forward Brady Manek (206-1998, college: UNC) chipped in 21 points and 8 rebounds. Forward Xavier Cooks (203-1995, college: Winthrop) produced 15 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists for lost side. Kings' coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Perth Wildcats have a solid three-game winning streak. Despite that victory Perth Wildcats went down to seventh position due to points difference. Defending champion Kings still keep top place with seven games lost. Perth Wildcats are looking forward to face higher ranked JackJumpers (#4) in Hobart in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Kings will play at home against Melbourne Phoenix and are hoping to win this game.
Very important is a home loss of second ranked Cairns Taipans (16-8) against fourth ranked JackJumpers (14-11) on Friday night. Host Cairns Taipans were defeated by JackJumpers in a tough game in Cairns 77-85. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Cairns Taipans. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Josh Magette (185-1989, college: UAH) who helped to win the game recording 14 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Milton Doyle contributed with 12 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists and 6 steals for the winners. JackJumpers' coach Scott Roth allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American forward DJ Hogg (203-1996, college: Texas A&M) replied with 17 points and 7 rebounds for Cairns Taipans. JackJumpers maintains fourth position with 14-11 record. Cairns Taipans at the other side keep the second place with eight games lost. JackJumpers will play against Perth Wildcats (#7) at home in the next round. Cairns Taipans will play against Adelaide 36ers (#8) and hope to get back on the winning track.
Very important is a home loss of first ranked Kings (17-7) against sixth ranked New Zealand Breakers (14-10) on Sunday night. Host Kings were defeated by New Zealand Breakers in a tough game in Sydney 88-93. Worth to mention a great performance of Jamaal Brantley who helped to win the game recording 30 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. At the losing side Derrick Walton Jr responded with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. New Zealand Breakers moved-up to third place. Defending champion Kings still keep top position with seven games lost. New Zealand Breakers will meet at home United (#5) in the next round. Kings will play against Melbourne Phoenix (#6) and hope to secure a win.

Rest of the games of round 16 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
SE Melbourne defeated Tasmania JJ in a road game 86-75. NZL Breakers was beaten by Illawarra at home 76-78. Adelaide lost to Brisbane on the opponent's court 101-106. Bottom-ranked Illawarra unfortunately lost to Brisbane in a home game 86-103. Melbourne managed to beat Adelaide on the road 94-87. SE Melbourne crushed Perth on its own court 112-91.

Tasmania JJ - SE Melbourne 75-86

There was a minor upset in Hobart where one of their biggest challengers JackJumpers (14-11) were defeated by seventh ranked Melbourne Phoenix (14-12) 86-75 on Wednesday. Melbourne Phoenix made 20-of-25 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international swingman Mitch Creek (196-1992) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 23 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists and American center Alan Williams (203-1993, college: UCSB) who added 14 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American Milton Doyle (193-1993, college: Loyola, IL) responded with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists and the former international forward Jack McVeigh (203-1996, college: Nebraska) scored 15 points. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Melbourne Phoenix moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Melbourne. Loser JackJumpers keep the fourth position with 11 games lost. Melbourne Phoenix will meet league's leader Kings in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. JackJumpers will play against Perth Wildcats and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Tasmania JJ: M.Doyle 16+5reb+6ast, J.McVeigh 15+3reb, R.Kelly 12+6reb, W.Magnay 7+7reb+1ast, S.McDaniel 6+2reb, J.Magette 5+1reb+3ast
SE Melbourne: M.Creek 23+11reb+5ast, G.Browne 15+3reb+3ast, A.Williams 14+6reb+1ast, R.Broekhoff 8+7reb+2ast, G.Kell III 8+4reb+5ast, T.Smith-Milner 6+2reb+1ast

NZL Breakers - Illawarra 76-78

There was a surprise result in Auckland where tenth ranked Illawarra Hawks (3-22) edged higher ranked New Zealand Breakers (14-10) 78-76 on Thursday. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Tyler Harvey (194-1993, college: EWU) who helped to win the game recording 25 points and the former international center Mangok Mathiang (208-1992, college: Louisville, agency: Octagon Europe) who added 15 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. Four Illawarra Hawks players scored in double figures. At the losing side American center Derek Pardon (203-1996, college: Northwestern) responded with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 17 rebounds and his fellow American import forward Jamaal Brantley (200-1993, college: Cameron) scored 16 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Illawarra Hawks maintains tenth position with 3-22 record. New Zealand Breakers lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the third place with ten games lost. Illawarra Hawks will meet higher ranked Perth Wildcats (#7) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. New Zealand Breakers will play against United (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
NZL Breakers: D.Pardon 19+17reb+2ast, J.Brantley 16+5reb+2ast, T.Abercrombie 13+3reb, W.McDowell-White 9+5reb+7ast, C.Gliddon 8+4reb, D.Fotu 5+1reb
Illawarra: T.Harvey 25+1reb+1ast, M.Mathiang 15+5reb+1ast, S.Froling 11+6reb+1ast, W.Swaka 10+2reb, H.William 8+4reb+4ast, L.Dent 4+3reb+1ast

Brisbane - Adelaide 106-101

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams in Brisbane where 8th ranked Adelaide 36ers (11-14) were defeated by ninth ranked Bullets (8-17) 106-101 on Thursday. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Tyler Johnson (193-1992, college: Fresno St.) who helped to win the game recording 27 points and 6 rebounds and the former international guard Jason Cadee (186-1991) who added 22 points during the contest. At the losing side American guard Antonius Cleveland (196-1994, college: SEMO) responded with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international swingman Anthony Drmic (198-1992, college: Boise St.) scored 20 points and 6 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Bullets have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain ninth position with 8-17 record. Adelaide 36ers lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with 14 games lost. Bullets will meet league's second-placed Cairns Taipans on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Adelaide 36ers will play against the league's second-placed Cairns Taipans (#2) having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Adelaide: A.Drmic 20+6reb+2ast, A.Cleveland 18+6reb+4ast, R.Franks 17+6reb+2ast, D.Johnson 13+5reb, H.Harris 10+7reb+2ast, K.Sotto 9+7reb
Brisbane: T.Johnson 27+6reb+3ast, J.Cadee 22+3reb+2ast, D.Mitchell 17+4reb+2ast, A.Baynes 16+11reb, A.White III 9+6reb, N.Sobey 9+3reb+6ast

Cairns - Tasmania JJ 77-85

Very important is a home loss of second ranked Cairns Taipans (16-8) against fourth ranked JackJumpers (14-11) on Friday night. Host Cairns Taipans were defeated by JackJumpers in a tough game in Cairns 77-85. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Cairns Taipans. JackJumpers shot the lights out from three nailing 15 long-distance shots on high 51.7 percentage. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Josh Magette (185-1989, college: UAH) who helped to win the game recording 14 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. The other American import Milton Doyle (193-1993, college: Loyola, IL) contributed with 12 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists and 6 steals for the winners. JackJumpers' coach Scott Roth allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American forward DJ Hogg (203-1996, college: Texas A&M) replied with 17 points and 7 rebounds and naturalized South Sudanese swingman Bul Kuol (201-1997, college: Detroit) added 17 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Cairns Taipans. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. JackJumpers maintains fourth position with 14-11 record. Cairns Taipans at the other side keep the second place with eight games lost. JackJumpers will play against Perth Wildcats (#7) at home in the next round. Cairns Taipans will play against Adelaide 36ers (#8) and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Cairns: D.Hogg 17+7reb+1ast, B.Kuol 17+8reb, S.Waardenburg 13+2reb+2ast, T.McCall 11+4reb+3ast, K.Pinder 7+3reb, J.Antonio 6+3reb
Tasmania JJ: J.McVeigh 18+3reb+2ast, M.Kenyon 15+4reb+2ast, J.Magette 14+6reb+7ast, M.Doyle 12+6reb+8ast, R.Kelly 7+3reb, W.Magnay 5+5reb+1ast

Perth - Sydney 111-104

Top ranked Kings (17-7) recorded its seventh loss on the court of fifth ranked Perth Wildcats on Friday night. Visitors were defeated by Perth Wildcats 111-104. Perth Wildcats looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists. American guard Bryce Cotton (182-1992, college: Providence, agency: Pensack Sports) fired a double-double by scoring 21 points and 11 assists for the winners. The other American import forward Brady Manek (206-1998, college: UNC) chipped in 21 points and 8 rebounds. Forward Xavier Cooks (203-1995, college: Winthrop) produced 15 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists and the former international guard Dejan Vasiljevic (190-1997, college: Miami, FL) added 26 points respectively for lost side. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Kings' coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Perth Wildcats have a solid three-game winning streak. Despite that victory Perth Wildcats went down to seventh position due to points difference. Defending champion Kings still keep top place with seven games lost. Perth Wildcats are looking forward to face higher ranked JackJumpers (#4) in Hobart in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Kings will play at home against Melbourne Phoenix and are hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Sydney: D.Vasiljevic 26+4reb+1ast, X.Cooks 15+9reb+8ast, A.Glover 14+1reb+2ast, J.Simon 13+3reb, D.Walton Jr. 12+6reb+6ast, T.Soares 11+6reb
Perth: B.Manek 21+8reb+3ast, B.Cotton 21+4reb+11ast, T.Thomas 20+6reb+4ast, C.Webster 18+10reb+1ast, L.Travers 16+4reb+1ast, T.Webster 8+4reb+7ast

Illawarra - Brisbane 86-103

The game between closely ranked teams ended with ninth ranked Bullets' (8-17) road victory over bottom-ranked Illawarra Hawks (3-22) 103-86 on Saturday. Bullets dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Illawarra Hawks' 38 and made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. Bullets looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Illawarra Hawks' players. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Tyler Johnson (193-1992, college: Fresno St.) who helped to win the game recording 23 points and 4 assists and the former international center Harrison Froling (210-1998, college: Marquette) who added 14 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American guard Tyler Harvey (194-1993, college: EWU) responded with 22 points and naturalized South Sudanese forward Deng Deng (203-1992, college: Baylor) scored 13 points and 6 rebounds. Five Bullets and four Illawarra Hawks players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Bullets have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain ninth position with 8-17 record. Loser Illawarra Hawks stay dead last with 22 lost games. Bullets will meet league's second-placed Cairns Taipans on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Illawarra Hawks will play against Perth Wildcats (#7) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Illawarra: T.Harvey 22+3reb+1ast, D.Grida 13+5reb, D.Deng 13+6reb+1ast, M.Mathiang 10+6reb+1ast, S.Froling 7+3reb+3ast, T.Coenraad 6+1reb
Brisbane: T.Johnson 23+3reb+4ast, A.White III 18+2reb+1ast, A.Baynes 15+6reb+1ast, H.Froling 14+9reb+2ast, J.Cadee 12+3reb+5ast, N.Sobey 8+3reb+6ast

Adelaide - Melbourne 87-94

Not a big story in a game in Findon where 8th ranked Adelaide 36ers (11-14) were defeated by sixth ranked United (14-12) 94-87 on Saturday. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Rayjon Tucker (191-1997, college: UALR) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 25 points and 10 rebounds and the former international guard Chris Goulding (192-1988) who added 28 points during the contest. United's coach Dean Vickerman used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side American forward Robert Franks (201-1996, college: WSU) responded with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists and Filipino-American center Kai Sotto (218-2002) scored 15 points and 7 rebounds. Four Adelaide 36ers players scored in double figures. United have an impressive five-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with SE Melbourne. Adelaide 36ers lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 14 games lost. United will meet higher ranked New Zealand Breakers (#3) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Adelaide 36ers will play against the league's second-placed Cairns Taipans (#2) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Adelaide: R.Franks 24+10reb+6ast, K.Sotto 15+7reb, S.Dech 14+2reb+1ast, A.Drmic 13+6reb+2ast, N.Marshall 7+1reb, D.Johnson 5+7reb+4ast
Melbourne: C.Goulding 28+2reb, R.Tucker 25+10reb+3ast, X.Rathan-Mayes 20+3reb+4ast, M.Lee 8+9reb+2ast, M.Peatling 4+3reb+1ast, B.Newley 4+3reb+2ast

SE Melbourne - Perth 112-91

There was a small surprise when seventh ranked Melbourne Phoenix (14-12) outleveled at home 5th ranked Perth Wildcats (13-11) 112-91 on Sunday. Melbourne Phoenix dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Perth Wildcats' 40. They outrebounded Perth Wildcats 46-21 including a 18-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. Melbourne Phoenix looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Alan Williams (203-1993, college: UCSB) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 27 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists and the former international swingman Mitch Creek (196-1992) who added 20 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. Five Melbourne Phoenix players scored in double figures. At the losing side American guard Bryce Cotton (182-1992, college: Providence, agency: Pensack Sports) responded with 25 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists (made all of his eight free throws) and New Zealand guard Corey Webster (188-1988, college: Lambuth) scored 21 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 moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Melbourne. Loser Perth Wildcats dropped to the seventh position with 11 games lost. Melbourne Phoenix will meet league's leader Kings in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Perth Wildcats will play against JackJumpers (#4) in Hobart and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Perth: B.Cotton 25+5reb+4ast, C.Webster 21+3reb+1ast, L.Travers 13+5reb+5ast, T.Webster 9+1ast, B.Manek 8+2reb+1ast, T.Blanchfield 8+1reb
SE Melbourne: A.Williams 27+14reb+6ast, R.Broekhoff 26+5reb, M.Creek 20+8reb+6ast, G.Browne 14+5reb+8ast, G.Kell III 10+6reb+5ast, J.Madut 5+2reb

Sydney - NZL Breakers 88-93

Very important is a home loss of first ranked Kings (17-7) against sixth ranked New Zealand Breakers (14-10) on Sunday night. Host Kings were defeated by New Zealand Breakers in a tough game in Sydney 88-93. New Zealand Breakers made 20-of-24 free shots (83.3 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Jamaal Brantley (200-1993, college: Cameron) who helped to win the game recording 30 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and the former international guard William McDowell-White (196-1998, college: Fresno St.) who added 20 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists during the contest. Brantley is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the losing side American guard Derrick Walton Jr (185-1995, college: Michigan) responded with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and his fellow American import Justin Simon (196-1996, college: St.John's) scored 16 points. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. New Zealand Breakers moved-up to third place. Defending champion Kings still keep top position with seven games lost. New Zealand Breakers will meet at home United (#5) in the next round. Kings will play against Melbourne Phoenix (#6) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Sydney: D.Walton Jr. 17+6reb+4ast, J.Simon 16+4reb+1ast, D.Vasiljevic 12+4reb+1ast, X.Cooks 11+4reb+4ast, T.Soares 8+4reb+1ast, G.Jaylin 7+3reb+1ast
NZL Breakers: J.Brantley 30+9reb+5ast, W.McDowell-White 20+6reb+10ast, R.Loe 15+5reb, D.Pardon 11+5reb+1ast, C.Gliddon 9+1reb+1ast, T.Vodanovich 4+1reb



Tags : BRYCE COTTON, PERTH WILDCATS, AUSTRALIAN BASKETBALL