NBL Round 20 (Regular Season): Melbourne Utd is defeated by 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 second ranked United (14-7) and sixth ranked JackJumpers (9-11) on Tuesday night. United was crushed by JackJumpers at home 92-73. Tasmania JJ dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to United's 30. Tasmania JJ outrebounded Melbourne Utd 43-28 including 32 on the defensive glass. 27 personal fouls committed by Melbourne Utd helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Tyger Campbell (180-2000, college: UCLA) who helped to win the game recording 20 points and 6 rebounds and international forward Josh Bannan (208-2001, college: Montana) who added 12 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. American guard Tyson Walker (185-2000, college: Michigan St.) responded with 15 points and 6 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending champion maintains sixth position with 9-11 record. Melbourne Utd at the other side keeps the second place with seven games lost. Tasmania JJ are looking forward to face higher ranked SE Melbourne (#3) at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Melbourne Utd will play against Brisbane and is hoping to win this game.
NBL top team - Adelaide 36ers (16-4) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed tenth ranked Taipans (5-15) in Findon 93-73. The winners were led by American guard Bryce Cotton (182-1992, college: Providence, agency: Pensack Sports) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 22 points, 6 rebounds and 11 assists (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) and Nick Rakocevic supported him with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Adelaide 36ers' coach Mike Wells used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Even 19 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists by New Zealand forward Samuel Waardenburg (208-1999, college: Miami, FL) did not help to save the game for Cairns. Adelaide maintains first position with 16-4 record. Cairns at the other side stay at the bottom place with 15 games lost. Adelaide will play against Perth (#5) at home in the next round. Cairns will have a break next round.
The game in Hobart was also quite interesting. Fifth ranked Wildcats (11-9) played at the court of 6th ranked JackJumpers (9-11). Wildcats managed to secure a 9-point victory 94-85 on Sunday. The best player for the winners was Kristian Doolittle who scored 30 points and 6 rebounds. Bryce Hamilton produced 25 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the hosts. Perth maintains fifth position with 11-9 record. Defending champion Tasmania JJ keeps the sixth place with 11 games lost. Perth will meet league's leader Adelaide in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Tasmania JJ will play against SE Melbourne (#3) and hope to secure a win.

In the last two games of round 20 bottom-ranked Cairns were destroyed by Sydney on the opponent's court 119-77. Brisbane managed to outperform NZL Breakers in a home game 99-85.



Tasmania JJ - Perth 85-94

The game in Hobart was also quite interesting. Fifth ranked Wildcats (11-9) played at the court of 6th ranked JackJumpers (9-11). Wildcats managed to secure a 9-point victory 94-85 on Sunday. The best player for the winners was American forward Kristian Doolittle (201-1997, college: Oklahoma, agency: Pensack Sports) who scored 30 points and 6 rebounds. The other American import guard David Duke Jr (193-1999, college: Providence) chipped in 16 points, 5 assists and 4 steals. Four Wildcats players scored in double figures. American guard Bryce Hamilton (193-2000, college: UNLV) produced 25 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and international forward Josh Bannan (208-2001, college: Montana) added 18 points and 9 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Perth maintains fifth position with 11-9 record. Defending champion Tasmania JJ keeps the sixth place with 11 games lost. Perth will meet league's leader Adelaide in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Tasmania JJ will play against SE Melbourne (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Perth: D.Kristian 30+6reb+2ast, D.David 16+1reb+5ast, L.Jo 12+5reb, P.Elijah 10+4reb+3ast, W.Dylan 9+5reb+3ast, D.Sunday 8+4reb+1ast
Tasmania JJ: B.Hamilton 25+5reb+4ast, J.Bannan 18+9reb, N.Marshall 10+8reb+3ast, T.Campbell 9+2ast, D.Johnson 7+3reb+3ast, W.Magnay 6+6reb

Sydney - Cairns 119-77

Very expected game in Sydney where 10th ranked Taipans (5-15) were crushed by fifth ranked Kings (11-7) 119-77 on Sunday. Sydney made 21-of-27 free shots (77.8 percent) during the game. Sydney outrebounded Cairns 38-22 including 26 on the defensive glass. Sydney looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The best player for the winners was American point guard Kendric Davis (183-1999, college: Memphis) who scored 21 points and 9 assists. The former international forward Xavier Cooks (203-1995, college: Winthrop) chipped in 14 points and 6 rebounds. Four Kings players scored in double figures. American Andrew Andrews (188-1993, college: Washington) produced 14 points and 9 assists and the former international forward Jack McVeigh (203-1996, college: Nebraska) added 11 points respectively for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Kings have a solid four-game winning streak. Sydney moved-up to fourth place. Loser Taipans stay at the bottom position with 15 games lost. Sydney will meet at home Illawarra H. (#8) in the next round. Cairns will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Sydney: D.Kendric 21+4reb+9ast, C.Xavier 14+6reb+2ast, R.Tyler 14+1reb+3ast, M.Makuach 13+4reb, S.Tim 11+3reb, B.Shaun 10+2reb+2ast
Cairns: S.Kody 14+2reb+1ast, A.Andrews 14+1reb+9ast, J.McVeigh 11+3reb+3ast, M.Mawot 9, S.Waardenburg 9+1reb+3ast, B.Lachlan 8+1reb+1ast

Brisbane - NZL Breakers 99-85

There was a small surprise in Brisbane where ninth ranked Bullets (6-14) defeated 7th ranked Breakers (7-13) 99-85 on Monday. Brisbane looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Brisbane made 9 blocks. The best player for the winners was New Zealand center Tyrell Harrison (214-1999) who had a double-double by scoring 24 points and 11 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field). American guard Javon Freeman-Liberty (191-1999, college: DePaul) chipped in a double-double by scoring 13 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists. Four Bullets players scored in double figures. American point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright (180-1995, college: Arizona) produced 26 points and 4 assists and his fellow American import guard Izaiah Brockington (193-1999, college: Iowa St.) added 18 points and 6 rebounds respectively for the guests. Breakers' coach rotated ten players saving starting five for next games. Brisbane maintains ninth position with 6-14 record. NZL Breakers lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with 13 games lost. Brisbane will meet at home league's second-placed Melbourne Utd in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. NZL Breakers will play against Tasmania JJ (#6) in Hobart and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Brisbane: H.Tyrell 24+11reb+2ast, D.Alex 18+4reb+5ast, T.Terry 14+6reb+1ast, F.Javon 13+11reb+7ast, H.Jacob 9+2reb+1ast, T.Devers 8+2reb+2ast
NZL Breakers: P.Jackson-Cartwright 26+4reb+4ast, I.Brockington 18+6reb, C.Davison 15+7reb+2ast, S.Mennenga 8+2reb+3ast, T.Webster 6+4reb+2ast, R.Baker 4+1reb+1ast

Melbourne Utd - Tasmania JJ 73-92

The most important game in the last round took place in Melbourne between second ranked United (14-7) and sixth ranked JackJumpers (9-11) on Tuesday night. United was crushed by JackJumpers at home 92-73. Tasmania JJ dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to United's 30. Tasmania JJ outrebounded Melbourne Utd 43-28 including 32 on the defensive glass. 27 personal fouls committed by Melbourne Utd helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Tyger Campbell (180-2000, college: UCLA) who helped to win the game recording 20 points and 6 rebounds and international forward Josh Bannan (208-2001, college: Montana) who added 12 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. American guard Tyson Walker (185-2000, college: Michigan St.) responded with 15 points and 6 assists and Dutch center Jesse Edwards (211-2000, college: WVU) scored 13 points. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending champion maintains sixth position with 9-11 record. Melbourne Utd at the other side keeps the second place with seven games lost. Tasmania JJ are looking forward to face higher ranked SE Melbourne (#3) at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Melbourne Utd will play against Brisbane and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Tasmania JJ: C.Tyger 20+6reb+3ast, H.Bryce 18+4reb+2ast, J.David 14+1reb, B.Josh 12+12reb+3ast, M.Will 9+10reb+1ast, M.Nick 9+2reb+1ast
Melbourne Utd: T.Walker 15+3reb+6ast, M.Doyle 13+3reb+1ast, J.Edwards 13+4reb+1ast, F.Delany 11+3reb+1ast, D.Daniels 8, K.Bowen 5+4reb+1ast

Adelaide - Cairns 93-73

NBL top team - Adelaide 36ers (16-4) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed tenth ranked Taipans (5-15) in Findon 93-73. Adelaide players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. The winners were led by American guard Bryce Cotton (182-1992, college: Providence, agency: Pensack Sports) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 22 points, 6 rebounds and 11 assists (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) and Serbian-American power forward Nick Rakocevic (211-1997, college: USC, agency: Slash Sports) supported him with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Adelaide 36ers' coach Mike Wells used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Even 19 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists by New Zealand forward Samuel Waardenburg (208-1999, college: Miami, FL) did not help to save the game for Cairns. American Andrew Andrews (188-1993, college: Washington) added 15 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for the guests. Adelaide maintains first position with 16-4 record. Cairns at the other side stay at the bottom place with 15 games lost. Adelaide will play against Perth (#5) at home in the next round. Cairns will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Adelaide: C.Bryce 22+6reb+11ast, R.Nick 19+13reb+1ast, V.Dejan 15+2reb+1ast, H.Isaac 9+2reb+1ast, W.Isaac 8+4ast, C.Flynn 7+8reb+3ast
Cairns: S.Waardenburg 19+5reb+4ast, A.Andrews 15+5reb+6ast, J.McVeigh 9+3reb+4ast, M.Lee 7+5reb, M.Mawot 7+5reb+1ast, K.Galloway 7+3reb+2ast