NBL Round 18 (Regular Season): SE Melbourne lose to Tasmania JJ

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most important game in the last round took place in Melbourne between third ranked Phoenix (11-6) and seventh ranked JackJumpers (8-10) on Wednesday night. Phoenix was defeated by JackJumpers in a tough game at home 81-89. 28 personal fouls committed by SE Melbourne helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a good game for American guard Bryce Hamilton (193-2000, college: UNLV) who led his team to a victory with 18 points and 9 rebounds. International forward Josh Bannan (208-2001, college: Montana) contributed with 12 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. American forward Wes Iwundu (198-1994, college: Kansas St.) replied with 17 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for SE Melbourne. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending champion moved-up to sixth place. SE Melbourne at the other side keeps the third position with six games lost. Tasmania JJ will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. SE Melbourne will play at home against Brisbane and is hoping to win this game.
Very important is a home loss of second ranked United (13-6) against fifth ranked Kings (9-7) on Sunday night. Host United was defeated by Kings in a tough game in Melbourne 86-92. American point guard Kendric Davis (183-1999, college: Memphis) scored 26 points and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Matthew Dellavedova chipped in 15 points during the contest. The best for the losing side was American Milton Doyle (193-1993, college: Loyola, IL) with 21 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Sydney maintains fifth position with 9-7 record. Melbourne Utd lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the second place with six games lost. Sydney will play against league's leader Adelaide in Findon in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Melbourne Utd will play at home against Illawarra H. and hopes to get back on the winning track.
An interesting game for Adelaide 36ers (14-3) which hosted in Findon second-best United (13-6). First ranked Adelaide 36ers managed to get a 9-point victory 114-105. Bryce Cotton notched a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!), 7 rebounds, 13 assists and 4 steals to lead the effort. Even 20 points and 9 rebounds by Finn Delany did not help to save the game for Melbourne Utd. United's coach rotated twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Adelaide 36ers have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 14-3 record. Melbourne Utd lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the second place with six games lost. Adelaide will meet Illawarra H. (#8) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Melbourne Utd will play against Illawarra H. (#8) and hope to secure a win.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 18: Brisbane was beaten by Illawarra H. on the road 100-85. Perth was destroyed by Sydney on its own court 79-108. Tasmania JJ managed to outperform Cairns in Hobart 81-68. SE Melbourne managed to beat NZL Breakers at home 92-80. Perth crushed Brisbane on the opponent's court 86-62.
The most impressive performance of 18th round was 18 points and 8 rebounds by Terry Taylor of Brisbane.



SE Melbourne - Tasmania JJ 81-89

The most important game in the last round took place in Melbourne between third ranked Phoenix (11-6) and seventh ranked JackJumpers (8-10) on Wednesday night. Phoenix was defeated by JackJumpers in a tough game at home 81-89. 28 personal fouls committed by SE Melbourne helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a good game for American guard Bryce Hamilton (193-2000, college: UNLV) who led his team to a victory with 18 points and 9 rebounds. International forward Josh Bannan (208-2001, college: Montana) contributed with a double-double by scoring 12 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. American forward Wes Iwundu (198-1994, college: Kansas St.) replied with 17 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and his fellow American import power forward John Brown III (203-1992, college: High Point) added 12 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for SE Melbourne. Five Tasmania JJ and four SE Melbourne players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending champion moved-up to sixth place. SE Melbourne at the other side keeps the third position with six games lost. Tasmania JJ will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. SE Melbourne will play at home against Brisbane and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
SE Melbourne: W.Iwundu 17+8reb+4ast, A.Glover 13+1reb+1ast, J.Brown III 12+7reb+3ast, N.Sobey 12+3reb+3ast, H.Maldonado 9+1reb+3ast, A.Akech 7+4reb
Tasmania JJ: H.Bryce 18+9reb+2ast, D.Majok 12+5reb+2ast, B.Josh 12+12reb+4ast, M.Will 12+7reb+1ast, M.Nick 12+7reb+1ast, A.Ben 10+1reb+3ast

Illawarra H. - Brisbane 100-85

The game between closely ranked teams ended with eighth ranked Hawks' (6-10) home victory over 9th ranked Bullets (5-13) in Wollongong 100-85 on Thursday. Illawarra H. made 19-of-20 free shots (95.0 percent) during the game. Illawarra H. outrebounded Brisbane 43-32 including 35 on the defensive glass. Illawarra H. looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American center Javale McGee (213-1988, college: Nevada) notched a double-double by scoring 30 points and 10 rebounds to lead the effort and the other American import point guard QJ Peterson (183-1994, college: VMI, agency: JCK Sports Group) supported him with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). Four Hawks players scored in double figures. Even 18 points and 8 rebounds by American forward Terry Taylor (196-1999, college: Austin Peay) did not help to save the game for Brisbane. New Zealand center Tyrell Harrison (214-1999) added 13 points and 7 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Illawarra H. maintains eighth position with 6-10 record. Brisbane lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 13 games lost. Illawarra H. will meet at home league's leader Adelaide in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Brisbane will play against SE Melbourne (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Brisbane: T.Taylor 18+8reb, T.Harrison 13+7reb+3ast, J.Freeman-Liberty 13+1reb+2ast, D.Mathias 11+3reb, A.Ducas 9+3reb+3ast, M.Norton 8+6reb+4ast
Illawarra H.: M.Javale 30+10reb, P.QJ 19+5reb+8ast, H.William 18+8reb+3ast, H.Tyler 17+1reb+5ast, P.Mason 6+7reb+6ast, L.Wani 3+3reb

Adelaide - Melbourne Utd 114-105

An interesting game for Adelaide 36ers (14-3) which hosted in Findon second-best United (13-6). First ranked Adelaide 36ers managed to get a 9-point victory 114-105. Adelaide made 30-of-35 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. Adelaide had a 33-22 advantage in offensive rebounds. American guard Bryce Cotton (182-1992, college: Providence, agency: Pensack Sports) notched a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!), 7 rebounds, 13 assists and 4 steals to lead the effort and New Zealand guard Flynn Cameron (196-2000, college: UC Riverside) supported him with 18 points and 8 rebounds. Even 20 points and 9 rebounds by New Zealand-Irish Finn Delany (200-1995, college: SW Baptist) did not help to save the game for Melbourne Utd. The former international guard Chris Goulding (192-1988) added 24 points (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. United's coach rotated twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Adelaide 36ers have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 14-3 record. Melbourne Utd lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the second place with six games lost. Adelaide will meet Illawarra H. (#8) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Melbourne Utd will play against Illawarra H. (#8) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Melbourne Utd: C.Goulding 24+3reb+2ast, F.Delany 20+9reb+2ast, M.Doyle 17+3ast, J.Edwards 14+9reb+1ast, S.Ili 13+3reb+3ast, D.Daniels 6+2reb+1ast
Adelaide: C.Bryce 33+7reb+13ast, C.Flynn 18+8reb+2ast, H.Isaac 17+6reb+1ast, V.Dejan 14+2reb, C.Zylan 13+9reb+3ast, B.Troy 8+6reb+1ast

Perth - Sydney 79-108

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams when one of their biggest challengers Wildcats (10-8) were smashed by fifth ranked Kings (9-7) in Perth 108-79 on Friday. Sydney dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Wildcats's 30. American point guard Kendric Davis (183-1999, college: Memphis) notched 38 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 8 assists to lead the effort and naturalized South Sudanese forward Kouat Noi (201-1997, college: TCU) supported him with 23 points. Even 14 points and 8 rebounds by American Dylan Windler (201-1996, college: Belmont) did not help to save the game for Perth. His fellow American import guard David Duke Jr (193-1999, college: Providence) added 13 points and 7 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Sydney maintains fifth position with 9-7 record. Loser Wildcats keeps the fourth place with eight games lost. Sydney will meet at home league's leader Adelaide in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Perth will play against SE Melbourne and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Perth: D.Windler 14+8reb+2ast, D.Duke Jr. 13+3reb+7ast, J.Lual-Acuil 9+6reb+1ast, S.Dech 9, B.Henshall 7+6reb+1ast, E.Pepper 7+3reb+3ast
Sydney: D.Kendric 38+5reb+8ast, N.Kouat 23+4reb, C.Xavier 17+6reb+3ast, K.Bul 9+3reb+2ast, S.Tim 9+5reb+1ast, M.Makuach 6+2reb+1ast

Cairns - Tasmania JJ 68-81

Rather predictable result when seventh ranked JackJumpers (8-10) won against bottom-ranked Taipans (4-13) in Cairns 81-68 on Saturday. Tasmania JJ made 16-of-19 free shots (84.2 percent) during the game. Tasmania JJ outrebounded Cairns 45-30 including a 17-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. International forward Josh Bannan (208-2001, college: Montana) notched a double-double by scoring 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead the effort and American guard Bryce Hamilton (193-2000, college: UNLV) supported him with 13 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Even 24 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists by the former international forward Jack McVeigh (203-1996, college: Nebraska) did not help to save the game for Cairns. American Andrew Andrews (188-1993, college: Washington) added 18 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. Defending champion moved-up to sixth place. Loser Taipans stay at the bottom position with 13 games lost. Tasmania JJ will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Cairns will play against NZL Breakers (#7) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Cairns: J.McVeigh 24+8reb+4ast, A.Andrews 18+5reb+8ast, S.Waardenburg 8+6reb+2ast, S.Kody 7, K.Galloway 5+3reb, B.Lachlan 4+2reb
Tasmania JJ: B.Josh 20+13reb+3ast, H.Bryce 13+7reb+7ast, J.David 13+1reb+2ast, M.Will 9+13reb+2ast, D.Majok 9+5reb, C.Tyger 8+2reb

SE Melbourne - NZL Breakers 92-80

Not a big story in a game when 6th ranked Breakers (7-11) lost to third ranked Phoenix (11-6) in Melbourne 80-92 on Saturday. SE Melbourne looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when SE Melbourne made 8 blocks. The former international guard Nathan Sobey (190-1990, college: Wyoming) notched 36 points (!!!), 7 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the effort and international center Jordan Hunter (208-1997, college: SMC) supported him with 12 points and 9 rebounds. Four Phoenix players scored in double figures. Phoenix's coach Josh King used a ten-player rotation saving starting five for next games. Even 16 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists by American point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright (180-1995, college: Arizona) did not help to save the game for NZL Breakers. His fellow American import forward Robert Baker (208-1998, college: Harvard) added 16 points. SE Melbourne maintains third position with 11-6 record having just three points less than leader Adelaide. Loser Breakers dropped to the seventh place with 11 games lost. SE Melbourne will meet at home Brisbane (#9) in the next round where they are favorite. NZL Breakers will play against Cairns and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
NZL Breakers: R.Baker 16+4reb+2ast, P.Jackson-Cartwright 16+9reb+6ast, I.Brockington 12+7reb+3ast, T.Webster 10+2reb+3ast, S.Mennenga 9+9reb, K.Lopez 8+7reb
SE Melbourne: S.Nathan 36+7reb+5ast, H.Jordan 12+9reb+2ast, B.John 10+4reb+5ast, M.Hunter 10+7reb+3ast, I.Wes 9+5reb+1ast, P.Ryan 6+1ast

Melbourne Utd - Sydney 86-92

Very important is a home loss of second ranked United (13-6) against fifth ranked Kings (9-7) on Sunday night. Host United was defeated by Kings in a tough game in Melbourne 86-92. Sydney forced 24 Melbourne Utd turnovers. Strangely Melbourne Utd outrebounded Sydney 50-33 including a 39-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. American point guard Kendric Davis (183-1999, college: Memphis) scored 26 points and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners and the former international guard Matthew Dellavedova (193-1990, college: SMC) chipped in 15 points during the contest. The best for the losing side was American Milton Doyle (193-1993, college: Loyola, IL) with 21 points and 8 rebounds and the former international forward Fabijan Krslovic (203-1995, college: Montana) produced a double-double by scoring 16 points and 12 rebounds (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Sydney maintains fifth position with 9-7 record. Melbourne Utd lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the second place with six games lost. Sydney will play against league's leader Adelaide in Findon in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Melbourne Utd will play at home against Illawarra H. and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Melbourne Utd: M.Doyle 21+8reb+1ast, F.Krslovic 16+12reb+2ast, F.Delany 16+11reb+1ast, C.Goulding 8+3reb, K.Bowen 6+2reb+2ast, T.Walker 6+7reb+5ast
Sydney: D.Kendric 26+3reb+6ast, D.Matthew 15+4reb+2ast, N.Kouat 10, K.Bul 7+2reb, S.Tim 7+4reb+3ast, C.Xavier 6+5reb+2ast

Brisbane - Perth 62-86

Everything went according to plan when fourth ranked Wildcats (10-8) outplayed 9th ranked Bullets (5-13) in Brisbane 86-62 on Sunday. American guard David Duke Jr (193-1999, college: Providence) notched 14 points to lead the effort and naturalized South Sudanese center Jo Lual-Acuil (213-1994, college: Baylor) supported him with 9 points and 9 rebounds. Even 18 points and 8 rebounds by American forward Terry Taylor (196-1999, college: Austin Peay) did not help to save the game for Brisbane. New Zealand center Tyrell Harrison (214-1999) added 10 points and 12 rebounds. 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. Perth maintains fourth position with 10-8 record. Brisbane lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 13 games lost. Perth will meet at home higher ranked SE Melbourne (#3) in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Brisbane will play against SE Melbourne (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Brisbane: T.Taylor 18+8reb, J.Holt 10+3reb+1ast, T.Harrison 10+12reb+1ast, A.Ducas 10+7reb+1ast, J.Freeman-Liberty 8+3ast, M.Norton 4+2reb+2ast
Perth: H.Ben 15+2reb+2ast, D.David 14+4reb+3ast, P.Elijah 11+6reb+2ast, W.Dylan 10+6reb+2ast, L.Jo 9+9reb+2ast, D.Kristian 8+6reb