NBL Round 12 (Regular Season): SE Melbourne beat Tasmania JJ by one after a very close game

What a coincidence that all visitors won their games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 12 in the NBL took place in Hobart. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of 6th ranked JackJumpers (5-7) to third ranked Phoenix (7-3) 103-102 on Thursday evening. SE Melbourne forced 22 Tasmania JJ turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was a good game for the former international guard Nathan Sobey (190-1990, college: Wyoming) who saved his team from a defeat with 28 points and 4 assists. Trinidad and Tobago-Spanish forward Malique Lewis (202-2004) contributed with 23 points and 4 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) for the winners. Phoenix's coach Josh King used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American guard Bryce Hamilton (193-2000, college: UNLV) replied with 36 points (!!!), 8 rebounds and 5 assists for Tasmania JJ. Phoenix have an impressive five-game winning streak. SE Melbourne maintains third position with 7-3 record having five points less than leader Melbourne Utd. Tasmania JJ lost fourth consecutive game. Defending champion keeps the sixth place with seven games lost. They share the position with Brisbane. SE Melbourne will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tasmania JJ will play at home against the league's second-placed Adelaide (#2) and is hoping to prove to their fans that they can break losing series.
Important game to mention about took place in Hobart. Eighth ranked Bullets (5-7) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging 6th ranked JackJumpers (5-7) 83-81 in the game for the sixth place. Worth to mention a great performance of American swingman Casey Prather (198-1991, college: Florida) who helped to win the game recording 28 points and 8 rebounds and Tyrell Harrison who added 21 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was international forward Josh Bannan (208-2001, college: Montana) with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds. Brisbane moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Tasmania JJ. Tasmania JJ lost fourth consecutive game. Brisbane will play against NZL Breakers (#9) in Auckland in the next round. Tasmania JJ will play at home against the league's second-placed Adelaide and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Melbourne: United (#1) and Phoenix (#3). Phoenix was defeated at home 81-92 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Phoenix. The winners were led by Tyson Walker who scored that evening 24 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Even 15 points by Nathan Sobey did not help to save the game for SE Melbourne. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Melbourne Utd maintains first position with 10-2 record. SE Melbourne at the other side keeps the third place with three games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

In the last two games of round 12 Adelaide beat NZL Breakers on the road 83-79. Cairns lost to Illawarra H. on its own court 90-107.



NZL Breakers - Adelaide 79-83

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Adelaide 36ers (7-2) beat 9th ranked Breakers (3-8) in Auckland 83-79 on Thursday. American players dominated the game. The winners were led by guard Bryce Cotton (182-1992, college: Providence, agency: Pensack Sports) who scored that evening 23 points and 6 assists and forward Zylan Cheatham (203-1995, college: Arizona St.) supported him with 13 points and 8 rebounds. Four Adelaide 36ers players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 21 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists by point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright (180-1995, college: Arizona) did not help to save the game for NZL Breakers. Guard Izaiah Brockington (193-1999, college: Iowa St.) added 25 points. Breakers' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Adelaide maintains second position with 7-2 record having 3 victories less than leader Melbourne Utd. NZL Breakers at the other side keep the ninth place with eight games lost. Adelaide will meet Tasmania JJ (#7) in the next round where they are favorite. NZL Breakers will play against Brisbane and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
NZL Breakers: I.Brockington 25+2reb+1ast, P.Jackson-Cartwright 21+5reb+10ast, K.Lopez 11+6reb+1ast, R.Baker 9+9reb, S.Mennenga 7+6reb+1ast, M.Darling 4+3reb
Adelaide: C.Bryce 23+1reb+6ast, C.Zylan 13+8reb+3ast, C.Flynn 13+8reb+2ast, W.Isaac 12+3reb+4ast, R.Nick 9+6reb, V.Dejan 7+2reb+1ast

Tasmania JJ - SE Melbourne 102-103

The most exciting game of round 12 in the NBL took place in Hobart. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of 6th ranked JackJumpers (5-7) to third ranked Phoenix (7-3) 103-102 on Thursday evening. SE Melbourne forced 22 Tasmania JJ turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was a good game for the former international guard Nathan Sobey (190-1990, college: Wyoming) who saved his team from a defeat with 28 points and 4 assists. Trinidad and Tobago-Spanish forward Malique Lewis (202-2004) contributed with 23 points and 4 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) for the winners. Five Phoenix players scored in double figures. Phoenix's coach Josh King used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American guard Bryce Hamilton (193-2000, college: UNLV) replied with 36 points (!!!), 8 rebounds and 5 assists and international forward Josh Bannan (208-2001, college: Montana) added 15 points and 10 rebounds in the effort for Tasmania JJ. Phoenix have an impressive five-game winning streak. SE Melbourne maintains third position with 7-3 record having five points less than leader Melbourne Utd. Tasmania JJ lost fourth consecutive game. Defending champion keeps the sixth place with seven games lost. They share the position with Brisbane. SE Melbourne will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tasmania JJ will play at home against the league's second-placed Adelaide (#2) and is hoping to prove to their fans that they can break losing series.
Top scorers:
Tasmania JJ: B.Hamilton 36+8reb+5ast, M.Deng 17+6reb, J.Bannan 15+10reb+2ast, T.Campbell 8+1reb+3ast, B.Ayre 8+5reb+2ast, W.Magnay 8+2reb+1ast
SE Melbourne: S.Nathan 28+3reb+4ast, L.Malique 23+4reb+4ast, F.Owen 15+4reb+4ast, I.Wes 11+1reb+1ast, B.John 10+14reb+2ast, H.Jordan 8+4reb

Cairns - Illawarra H. 90-107

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 9th ranked Taipans' (3-9) home loss to eighth ranked Hawks (4-6) in Cairns 90-107 on Friday. Illawarra H. dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Taipans' 40. Illawarra H. looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Illawarra H. made 7 blocks. The winners were led by international guard William Hickey (194-1999) who had that evening a triple-double by scoring 19 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists and American center Javale McGee (213-1988, college: Nevada) supported him with 28 points and 6 rebounds (on 12-of-13 shooting from the field). Hawks' coach Justin Tatum allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Even 32 points (on 13-of-16 shooting from the field) by American-New Zealand swingman Mojave King (196-2002) did not help to save the game for Cairns. The former international forward Jack McVeigh (203-1996, college: Nebraska) added 13 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Illawarra H. maintains eighth position with 4-6 record. Cairns at the other side dropped to the bottom place with nine games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Cairns: M.King 32+2reb+2ast, K.Galloway 15+7reb, J.McVeigh 13+8reb+8ast, A.Schofield 11+4reb+4ast, A.Andrews 10+3reb+8ast, B.Lachlan 7+1reb+1ast
Illawarra H.: M.Javale 28+6reb+2ast, P.QJ 22+4reb+2ast, H.William 19+12reb+12ast, P.Mason 14+2reb+4ast, H.Tyler 11+2reb+3ast, L.Wani 6+3reb+2ast

Tasmania JJ - Brisbane 81-83

Important game to mention about took place in Hobart. Eighth ranked Bullets (5-7) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging 6th ranked JackJumpers (5-7) 83-81 in the game for the sixth place. Worth to mention a great performance of American swingman Casey Prather (198-1991, college: Florida) who helped to win the game recording 28 points and 8 rebounds and New Zealand center Tyrell Harrison (214-1999) who added 21 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was international forward Josh Bannan (208-2001, college: Montana) with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds and international swingman Nick Marshall (198-1999, college: Clarke) scored 18 points and 9 rebounds. Four Tasmania JJ players scored in double figures. Brisbane moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Tasmania JJ. Tasmania JJ lost fourth consecutive game. Brisbane will play against NZL Breakers (#9) in Auckland in the next round. Tasmania JJ will play at home against the league's second-placed Adelaide and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Tasmania JJ: J.Bannan 18+11reb+2ast, N.Marshall 18+9reb+3ast, B.Hamilton 16+6reb+2ast, B.Ayre 14+1reb+2ast, T.Campbell 7+1reb+8ast, M.Deng 5+3reb+1ast
Brisbane: P.Casey 28+8reb+2ast, H.Tyrell 21+9reb+3ast, D.Alex 8+7reb, M.Taine 8+1reb+1ast, M.Dakota 7+1reb, N.Mitch 4+3reb+5ast

SE Melbourne - Melbourne Utd 81-92

Another interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Melbourne: United (#1) and Phoenix (#3). Phoenix was defeated at home 81-92 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Phoenix. Melbourne Utd made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. They also forced 21 SE Melbourne turnovers. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Melbourne Utd made 7 blocks. The winners were led by American guard Tyson Walker (185-2000, college: Michigan St.) who scored that evening 24 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and New Zealand-Irish Finn Delany (200-1995, college: SW Baptist) supported him with 18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Four United players scored in double figures. Even 15 points by the former international guard Nathan Sobey (190-1990, college: Wyoming) did not help to save the game for SE Melbourne. The former international guard Owen Foxwell (188-2003) added 9 points and 7 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Melbourne Utd maintains first position with 10-2 record. SE Melbourne at the other side keeps the third place with three games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
SE Melbourne: N.Sobey 15+2reb+2ast, W.Iwundu 10+6reb+1ast, J.Brown III 9+8reb+1ast, O.Foxwell 9+3reb+7ast, D.Mitchell 8+2reb+1ast, F.Daniel 8+3reb+7ast
Melbourne Utd: W.Tyson 24+6reb+6ast, D.Finn 18+5reb+4ast, G.Chris 16+3reb+1ast, D.Milton 12+1reb+5ast, E.Jesse 9+11reb, B.Kyle 6+1reb