NBL Round 8 (Regular Season): Leader Melbourne Utd gets another victory

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Undefeated leader United delivered the eighth consecutive win on Friday night. This time they crushed 8th ranked Taipans (2-7) 94-67 in Cairns. Melbourne Utd dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Taipans' 28 and made 26-of-28 free shots (92.9 percent) during the game, while Cairns only scored nine points from the stripe. The best player for the winners was American Milton Doyle (193-1993, college: Loyola, IL) who scored 10 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. New Zealand-Irish Finn Delany (200-1995, college: SW Baptist) chipped in 11 points and 6 rebounds. United's coach Dean Vickerman felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American center Marcus Lee (208-1994, college: California) produced 8 points and 10 rebounds for the hosts. Undefeated United (8-0) have an impressive eight-game winning streak. Melbourne Utd maintains first position with a perfect record of 8 victories in a row. Cairns lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with seven games lost. They share the position with NZL Breakers. Melbourne Utd are looking forward to face league's second-placed Adelaide in Findon in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Cairns will have a break next round.
The game in Cairns supposed to be also worth to mention about. Sixth ranked Wildcats (4-3) played at the court of 8th ranked Taipans (2-7). Wildcats smashed Taipans 110-78. American forward Kristian Doolittle (201-1997, college: Oklahoma, agency: Pensack Sports) orchestrated the victory by scoring 18 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Jo Lual-Acuil contributed with 24 points for the winners. American forward Admiral Schofield (197-1997, college: Tennessee) replied with 16 points and 5 rebounds for Cairns. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Perth moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Tasmania JJ. Cairns lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with seven games lost. They share it with NZL Breakers. Perth will play against bottom-ranked Illawarra H. (#10) in Wollongong in the next round where they are favorite. Cairns will have a break next round.
A very close game took place in Auckland between Bullets and Breakers. Seventh ranked Bullets (3-5) got a very close victory on the road over 9th ranked Breakers (2-7). Bullets managed to escape with a 1-point win 84-83 in the fight for the seventh place. Worth to mention a great performance of Casey Prather who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 23 points and 12 rebounds. Sam Mennenga responded with 27 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Breakers' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Brisbane maintains seventh position with 3-5 record. NZL Breakers at the other side dropped to the eighth place with seven games lost. They share the position with Cairns. Brisbane will meet at home higher ranked SE Melbourne (#3) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. NZL Breakers will have a break next round.

In the last game of round 8 Sydney was defeated by SE Melbourne in a road game 112-95.



Cairns - Perth 78-110

The game in Cairns supposed to be also worth to mention about. Sixth ranked Wildcats (4-3) played at the court of 8th ranked Taipans (2-7). Wildcats smashed Taipans 110-78. Perth dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Taipans' 36. Perth outrebounded Cairns 38-27 including 29 on the defensive glass. It was a great shooting night for Perth especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 52.4 percentage. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. American forward Kristian Doolittle (201-1997, college: Oklahoma, agency: Pensack Sports) orchestrated the victory by scoring 18 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Naturalized South Sudanese center Jo Lual-Acuil (213-1994, college: Baylor) contributed with 24 points for the winners. American forward Admiral Schofield (197-1997, college: Tennessee) replied with 16 points and 5 rebounds and the former international guard Reyne Smith (188-2002, college: Louisville) added 13 points and 5 assists in the effort for Cairns. Five Perth and four Cairns players scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Perth moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Tasmania JJ. Cairns lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with seven games lost. They share it with NZL Breakers. Perth will play against bottom-ranked Illawarra H. (#10) in Wollongong in the next round where they are favorite. Cairns will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Perth: J.Lual-Acuil 24+3reb+2ast, E.Pepper 18+2reb+4ast, K.Doolittle 18+8reb+4ast, B.Henshall 10+6reb+2ast, J.Rillie 10+6reb+2ast, K.Noa 8+4reb
Cairns: A.Schofield 16+5reb+3ast, R.Smith 13+5ast, A.Andrews 10+1reb+4ast, S.Kody 10+5reb, A.Kyle 10+3reb+3ast, K.Galloway 6+8reb+2ast

NZL Breakers - Brisbane 83-84

A very close game took place in Auckland between Bullets and Breakers. Seventh ranked Bullets (3-5) got a very close victory on the road over 9th ranked Breakers (2-7). Bullets managed to escape with a 1-point win 84-83 in the fight for the seventh place. Worth to mention a great performance of American swingman Casey Prather (198-1991, college: Florida) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 23 points and 12 rebounds and New Zealand center Tyrell Harrison (214-1999) who added 16 points and 11 rebounds during the contest. Five Bullets players scored in double figures. New Zealand forward Sam Mennenga (206-2001, college: Davidson) responded with 27 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and American point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright (180-1995, college: Arizona) scored 17 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Breakers' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Brisbane maintains seventh position with 3-5 record. NZL Breakers at the other side dropped to the eighth place with seven games lost. They share the position with Cairns. Brisbane will meet at home higher ranked SE Melbourne (#3) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. NZL Breakers will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Brisbane: C.Prather 23+12reb+3ast, L.Patterson 20+6reb+1ast, T.Harrison 16+11reb+2ast, J.Adams 14+3reb+5ast, T.Murray 10+5reb+1ast, D.Tristan 1+1reb+1ast
NZL Breakers: S.Mennenga 27+6reb+4ast, P.Jackson-Cartwright 17+6reb+5ast, I.Brockington 12+6reb+1ast, K.Lopez 7+3reb+1ast, I.Le'afa 5+2reb+1ast, T.Britt 3+1reb+1ast

SE Melbourne - Sydney 112-95

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 6th ranked Kings' (3-4) road loss to fifth ranked Phoenix (4-2) 95-112 on Thursday. SE Melbourne looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international guard Nathan Sobey (190-1990, college: Wyoming) who helped to win the game recording 33 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 5 assists and the former international guard Owen Foxwell (188-2003) who added 17 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists during the contest. American point guard Kendric Davis (183-1999, college: Memphis) responded with 31 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists and Brazilian-American center Tim Soares (211-1997, college: Master's) scored 24 points and 5 rebounds. Five SE Melbourne and four Sydney players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. SE Melbourne moved-up to third place. Loser Kings keeps the sixth position with four games lost. SE Melbourne will meet Brisbane (#7) on the road in the next round. Sydney will play against Tasmania JJ and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
SE Melbourne: N.Sobey 33+5reb+5ast, H.Maldonado 17+4reb+1ast, O.Foxwell 17+6reb+8ast, J.Hunter 15+3reb+1ast, W.Iwundu 10, A.Akech 10+5reb+3ast
Sydney: K.Davis 31+5reb+6ast, T.Soares 24+5reb+1ast, K.Noi 14+5reb+1ast, M.Dellavedova 14+1reb+2ast, J.Galloway 9+3reb, X.Cooks 3+3reb

Cairns - Melbourne Utd 67-94

Undefeated leader United delivered the eighth consecutive win on Friday night. This time they crushed 8th ranked Taipans (2-7) 94-67 in Cairns. Melbourne Utd dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Taipans' 28 and made 26-of-28 free shots (92.9 percent) during the game, while Cairns only scored nine points from the stripe. The best player for the winners was American Milton Doyle (193-1993, college: Loyola, IL) who scored 10 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. New Zealand-Irish Finn Delany (200-1995, college: SW Baptist) chipped in 11 points and 6 rebounds. Five United players scored in double figures. United's coach Dean Vickerman felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American center Marcus Lee (208-1994, college: California) produced 8 points and 10 rebounds and his fellow American import Andrew Andrews (188-1993, college: Washington) added 13 points and 5 assists respectively for the hosts. United (8-0) have an impressive eight-game winning streak. Melbourne Utd maintains first position with a perfect record of 8 victories in a row. Cairns lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with seven games lost. They share the position with NZL Breakers. Melbourne Utd are looking forward to face league's second-placed Adelaide in Findon in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Cairns will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Melbourne Utd: C.Goulding 14+2ast, T.Walker 13+4ast, F.Delany 11+6reb+1ast, J.Edwards 10+5reb+1ast, M.Doyle 10+6reb+4ast, T.Krebs 9+1reb+1ast
Cairns: A.Andrews 13+2reb+5ast, R.Smith 13+2reb+2ast, A.Schofield 11+7reb, H.Alex 10+3reb+1ast, M.Lee 8+10reb+3ast, M.Mawot 7+10reb+2ast