NBL Round 17 (Regular Season): Melbourne Utd lose Wildcats

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The biggest surprise took place in Perth where host Wildcats (9-7) beat league's leader United (13-4) 96-84 on Thursday evening. Perth looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Kristian Doolittle (201-1997, college: Oklahoma, agency: Pensack Sports) who scored 12 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. His fellow American import Dylan Windler (201-1996, college: Belmont) chipped in 13 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. The former international guard Tanner Krebs (198-1996, college: SMC) produced 29 points (on 12-of-14 shooting from the field) for the guests. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Perth maintains fourth place with 9-7 record. Melbourne Utd at the other side dropped to the second position with four games lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by Adelaide. Melbourne Utd will play next round against Sydney trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Perth will try to continue on its current victory against ninth ranked Brisbane on the road.
The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Adelaide 36ers as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Adelaide 36ers smashed 9th ranked Bullets in Findon 90-65. American forward Zylan Cheatham (203-1995, college: Arizona St.) orchestrated the victory by scoring 20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Bryce Cotton contributed with 20 points and 6 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) for the winners. New Zealand center Tyrell Harrison (214-1999) answered with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 10 rebounds for Brisbane. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Adelaide 36ers (13-3) have an impressive series of six victories in a row. As mentioned above they took over a top position. Brisbane lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 11 games lost. Brisbane will play next round against strong Perth trying to get back on the winning streak. Adelaide will try to continue on its current victory against second ranked Melbourne Utd at home.
Top ranked United (13-4) recorded its fourth loss in Melbourne on Sunday night. Visitors were rolled over by third ranked Phoenix (10-5) 111-86. Nathan Sobey stepped up and scored 25 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Milton Doyle responded with 22 points and 5 assists. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. SE Melbourne maintains third place with 10-5 record having four points less than leader Adelaide. Loser United dropped to the second position with four games lost. SE Melbourne will meet at home NZL Breakers (#6) in the next round. Melbourne Utd will play against Sydney (#5) and hope to secure a win.

Other games of round 17 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Sydney was defeated by NZL Breakers in Auckland 95-90. Illawarra H. beat SE Melbourne at home 113-109. Tasmania JJ lost to NZL Breakers on the opponent's court 86-99. Illawarra H. unfortunately lost to Cairns in a home game 76-93. Adelaide managed to beat Perth on the road 95-94.



NZL Breakers - Sydney 95-90

There was a minor upset in Auckland where 5th ranked Kings (7-7) were defeated by seventh ranked Breakers (7-10) 95-90 on Wednesday. NZL Breakers looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright (180-1995, college: Arizona) stepped up and scored 24 points for the winners and Mexican swingman Karim Lopez (202-2007) chipped in 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Breakers' coach Petteri Koponen used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American point guard Kendric Davis (183-1999, college: Memphis) responded with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 assists and the former international forward Xavier Cooks (203-1995, college: Winthrop) scored 14 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Five NZL Breakers and four Sydney players scored in double figures. The victory was the third consecutive win for Breakers. NZL Breakers moved-up to sixth place. Loser Kings keeps the fifth position with seven games lost. NZL Breakers will meet higher ranked SE Melbourne (#3) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Sydney will play against the league's second-placed Melbourne Utd and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Sydney: K.Davis 18+4reb+11ast, J.Galloway 16+5reb, B.Kuol 15+6reb+2ast, X.Cooks 14+7reb+6ast, T.Soares 9+1reb+2ast, T.Robertson 8+1reb
NZL Breakers: J.Parker 24+2reb+3ast, L.Karim 18+6reb+4ast, B.Izaiah 17+3reb+5ast, M.Sam 13+6reb+2ast, B.Robert 10+3reb+1ast, T.Reuben 6+5reb+1ast

Illawarra H. - SE Melbourne 113-109

There was a surprise result in Wollongong where eighth ranked Hawks (5-10) defeated 3rd placed Phoenix (10-5) 113-109 on Thursday. Illawarra H. dominated down low during the game scoring 84 of its points in the paint compared to Phoenix's 42. Illawarra H. had a 38-16 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Illawarra H. made 8 blocks. The game was dominated by American players. point guard QJ Peterson (183-1994, college: VMI, agency: JCK Sports Group) stepped up and scored 42 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and center Javale McGee (213-1988, college: Nevada) chipped in 29 points and 13 rebounds. Forward Wes Iwundu (198-1994, college: Kansas St.) responded with 22 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists and power forward John Brown III (203-1992, college: High Point) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Illawarra H. and five SE Melbourne players scored in double figures. Illawarra H. maintains eighth place with 5-10 record. Loser Phoenix keeps the third position with five games lost. Illawarra H. will meet at home Brisbane (#9) in the next round. SE Melbourne will play against NZL Breakers (#6) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
SE Melbourne: W.Iwundu 22+8reb+5ast, N.Sobey 19+3reb+4ast, J.Brown III 15+10reb+4ast, A.Glover 15+5reb+2ast, J.Hunter 14+5reb, A.Akech 9+4reb+2ast
Illawarra H.: P.QJ 42+5reb+4ast, M.Javale 29+13reb+1ast, H.William 16+6reb+10ast, H.Tyler 12+3reb+6ast, P.Mason 4+4reb+1ast, L.Wani 4+13reb+3ast

Perth - Melbourne Utd 96-84

The biggest surprise took place in Perth where host Wildcats (9-7) beat league's leader United (13-4) 96-84 on Thursday evening. Perth looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Kristian Doolittle (201-1997, college: Oklahoma, agency: Pensack Sports) who scored 12 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. His fellow American import Dylan Windler (201-1996, college: Belmont) chipped in 13 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Wildcats players scored in double figures. The former international guard Tanner Krebs (198-1996, college: SMC) produced 29 points (on 12-of-14 shooting from the field) and Dutch center Jesse Edwards (211-2000, college: WVU) added 17 points and 9 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Perth maintains fourth place with 9-7 record. Melbourne Utd at the other side dropped to the second position with four games lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by Adelaide. Melbourne Utd will play next round against Sydney trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Perth will try to continue on its current victory against ninth ranked Brisbane on the road.
Top scorers:
Melbourne Utd: T.Krebs 29+2reb, J.Edwards 17+9reb, M.Doyle 12+6reb+2ast, F.Delany 8+5reb+1ast, F.Krslovic 7+5reb+2ast, T.Walker 6+4reb+5ast
Perth: L.Jo 18+4reb+2ast, D.David 15+5reb+4ast, W.Dylan 13+7reb+4ast, D.Kristian 12+9reb+7ast, O.David 11+4reb, P.Elijah 9+4reb+2ast

Adelaide - Brisbane 90-65

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Adelaide 36ers as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Adelaide 36ers smashed 9th ranked Bullets in Findon 90-65. Adelaide made 23-of-28 charity shots (82.1 percent) during the game, while Brisbane only scored six points from the stripe. Adelaide players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists. American forward Zylan Cheatham (203-1995, college: Arizona St.) orchestrated the victory by scoring 20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). His fellow American import guard Bryce Cotton (182-1992, college: Providence, agency: Pensack Sports) contributed with 20 points and 6 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) for the winners. New Zealand center Tyrell Harrison (214-1999) answered with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 10 rebounds and his fellow American import Dylan Windler (201-1996, college: Belmont) added 12 points and 4 assists in the effort for Brisbane. Both teams had four players each who 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. Adelaide 36ers (13-3) have an impressive series of six victories in a row. As mentioned above they took over a top position. Brisbane lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 11 games lost. Brisbane will play next round against strong Perth trying to get back on the winning streak. Adelaide will try to continue on its current victory against second ranked Melbourne Utd at home.
Top scorers:
Brisbane: D.Mathias 14+3reb+2ast, D.Tristan 12+3reb+4ast, A.Ducas 12+3reb+1ast, T.Harrison 11+10reb, S.McDaniel 6+2reb, T.Murray 3+1reb
Adelaide: C.Zylan 20+6reb+4ast, C.Bryce 20+3reb+6ast, H.Isaac 16+5reb+1ast, W.Isaac 10+4reb+3ast, R.Nick 7+8reb+2ast, B.Troy 6+5reb+5ast

NZL Breakers - Tasmania JJ 99-86

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams in Auckland where 6th ranked JackJumpers (6-10) were defeated by seventh ranked Breakers (7-10) 99-86 on Saturday. NZL Breakers made 19-of-25 free shots (76.0 percent) during the game. American point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright (180-1995, college: Arizona) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 6 rebounds and 12 assists for the winners and his fellow American import guard Izaiah Brockington (193-1999, college: Iowa St.) chipped in 22 points and 4 assists. Breakers' coach Petteri Koponen used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. American guard Bryce Hamilton (193-2000, college: UNLV) responded with 21 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists and international center Will Magnay (208-1998, college: Tulsa) scored 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 blocks. Five NZL Breakers and four Tasmania JJ players scored in double figures. The victory was the third consecutive win for Breakers. NZL Breakers moved-up to sixth place. Defending champion Tasmania JJ dropped to the seventh position with ten games lost. NZL Breakers will meet higher ranked SE Melbourne (#3) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Tasmania JJ will play against Cairns (#10) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Tasmania JJ: B.Hamilton 21+8reb+6ast, W.Magnay 18+7reb+2ast, J.Bannan 12+6reb+1ast, M.Deng 11+1reb, D.Johnson 10+3reb+2ast, N.Marshall 7+5reb+2ast
NZL Breakers: B.Izaiah 22+4reb+4ast, B.Robert 18+9reb, J.Parker 16+6reb+12ast, M.Sam 16+9reb, L.Karim 15+4reb, W.Tai 5+2reb

Illawarra H. - Cairns 76-93

There was a small surprise in Wollongong where tenth ranked Taipans (4-12) beat 8th ranked Hawks (5-10) 93-76 on Saturday. American Andrew Andrews (188-1993, college: Washington) stepped up and scored 27 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners and naturalized American forward Kyrin Galloway (203-1999, college: UNCG) chipped in 16 points and 14 rebounds. American center Javale McGee (213-1988, college: Nevada) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds and international guard William Hickey (194-1999) produced a double-double by scoring 10 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. Five Cairns and four Illawarra H. players scored in double figures. Cairns maintains tenth place with 4-12 record. Loser Hawks keeps the eighth position with ten games lost. Cairns will meet at home higher ranked Tasmania JJ (#7) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Illawarra H. will play against Brisbane and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Illawarra H.: D.Grida 18+1reb, J.McGee 17+11reb+3ast, T.Harvey 12+1reb+3ast, W.Hickey 10+11reb+6ast, Q.Peterson 7+5reb+3ast, M.Peatling 7+6reb+1ast
Cairns: A.Andrew 27+5reb+6ast, S.Admiral 17+11reb+2ast, G.Kyrin 16+14reb+1ast, L.Marcus 12+2reb+2ast, K.Mojave 12+2reb, K.Stattmann 5+2reb+3ast

SE Melbourne - Melbourne Utd 111-86

Top ranked United (13-4) recorded its fourth loss in Melbourne on Sunday night. Visitors were rolled over by third ranked Phoenix (10-5) 111-86. SE Melbourne shot the lights out from three sinking 16 long-distance shots on high 51.6 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The former international guard Nathan Sobey (190-1990, college: Wyoming) stepped up and scored 25 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and American power forward John Brown III (203-1992, college: High Point) chipped in 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. American Milton Doyle (193-1993, college: Loyola, IL) responded with 22 points and 5 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) and New Zealand-Irish Finn Delany (200-1995, college: SW Baptist) scored 13 points and 7 rebounds. Five SE Melbourne and four Melbourne Utd players scored in double figures. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. SE Melbourne maintains third place with 10-5 record having four points less than leader Adelaide. Loser United dropped to the second position with four games lost. SE Melbourne will meet at home NZL Breakers (#6) in the next round. Melbourne Utd will play against Sydney (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Melbourne Utd: M.Doyle 22+3reb+5ast, F.Delany 13+7reb+2ast, T.Walker 12+1reb+5ast, C.Goulding 11+1reb+1ast, F.Krslovic 8+6reb, J.Edwards 6+1reb
SE Melbourne: S.Nathan 25+5reb+4ast, B.John 14+6reb+5ast, G.Angus 14+4reb+2ast, M.D.J. 14, I.Wes 14+3reb+2ast, H.Jordan 13+4reb+2ast

Perth - Adelaide 94-95

Not a big story in a game in Perth where 4th placed Wildcats (9-7) were edged by second ranked Adelaide 36ers (13-3) 95-94 on Sunday. Adelaide looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 17 passes made by Perth's players. American guard Bryce Cotton (182-1992, college: Providence, agency: Pensack Sports) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 12 assists for the winners and his fellow American import forward Zylan Cheatham (203-1995, college: Arizona St.) chipped in 20 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. American forward Kristian Doolittle (201-1997, college: Oklahoma, agency: Pensack Sports) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists and naturalized South Sudanese center Jo Lual-Acuil (213-1994, college: Baylor) scored 19 points and 7 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Four Perth players scored in double figures. The victory was the sixth consecutive win for Adelaide 36ers. They keep a position of league leader. Loser Wildcats keeps the fourth place with seven games lost. Adelaide will meet at home league's second-placed Melbourne Utd in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Perth will play against Brisbane and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Perth: J.Lual-Acuil 19+7reb+2ast, K.Doolittle 17+11reb+6ast, D.Duke Jr. 13+2reb+1ast, D.Windler 12+3reb+1ast, E.Pepper 8+3reb+2ast, D.Okwera 8+6reb
Adelaide: H.Isaac 28+1reb+1ast, C.Bryce 21+3reb+12ast, C.Zylan 20+5reb+8ast, C.Flynn 8+8reb+4ast, V.Dejan 6+3reb+1ast, R.Nick 6+4reb