NBL Round 28 (Regular Season): #1 Adelaide is defeated by Sydney

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Adelaide 36ers (20-7) in Sydney on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by third ranked Kings (18-9) 106-101. Sydney made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. Americans were the main players on the court. Worth to mention a great performance of point guard Kendric Davis (183-1999, college: Memphis) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points, 5 rebounds, 14 assists and 4 steals and forward Torrey Craig (198-1990, college: USC Upstate) who added 26 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side guard John Jenkins (193-1991, college: Vanderbilt, agency: Slash Sports) responded with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Kings have an impressive five-game winning streak. Sydney maintains third position with 18-9 record having just two points less than leader Adelaide. Adelaide at the other side still keeps top place with seven games lost. Sydney are looking forward to face Illawarra H. (#7) in Wollongong in the next round. Adelaide will play on the road against Brisbane (#10) and is hoping to win this game.
Important game to mention about took place in Perth. Fourth ranked United (18-10) saved a 1-point victory on the road edging 5th ranked Wildcats (16-11) 74-73 in the fight for the fourth place. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Wildcats. The winners were led by American Milton Doyle (193-1993, college: Loyola, IL) who scored that evening 24 points and 8 assists and Jesse Edwards supported him with 18 points and 17 rebounds. Even a double-double of 24 points and 11 rebounds by naturalized South Sudanese center Jo Lual-Acuil (213-1994, college: Baylor) did not help to save the game for Perth. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. United have a solid three-game winning streak. Melbourne Utd maintains fourth position with 18-10 record. Perth at the other side keeps the fifth place with 11 games lost. Melbourne Utd will play against NZL Breakers (#8) in Auckland in the next round. Perth will play at home against the league's second-placed SE Melbourne and hopes to get back on the winning track.
10th ranked Bullets (6-22) were outscored at home by eighth ranked Hawks (10-16) with the biggest margin this round 113-75 on Monday night. Tyler Harvey fired 22 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Hunter Maldonado produced 20 points and 4 assists for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Illawarra H. moved-up to seventh place. Brisbane lost eighth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 22 lost games. Illawarra H. will meet higher ranked Sydney (#3) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Brisbane will play against the league's leader Adelaide (#1) having rather not much hope for a victory.

In the last two games of round 28 Cairns were destroyed by SE Melbourne on the opponent's court 118-91. Tasmania JJ unfortunately lost to Illawarra H. in a home game 91-101.



SE Melbourne - Cairns 118-91

Very expected game in Melbourne where 9th ranked Taipans (7-20) were crushed by second ranked Phoenix (19-8) 118-91 on Saturday. SE Melbourne shot the lights out from three sinking 21 long-distance shots on high 51.2 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 33 assists comparing to just 19 passes made by Cairns' players. American forward Wes Iwundu (198-1994, college: Kansas St.) fired 21 points for the winners. The former international guard Angus Glover (192-1998) chipped in 22 points and 5 assists. Phoenix's coach Josh King felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American Andrew Andrews (188-1993, college: Washington) produced a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 assists and the former international forward Jack McVeigh (203-1996, college: Nebraska) added 21 points and 6 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Phoenix have a solid three-game winning streak. SE Melbourne maintains second position with 19-8 record behind leader Adelaide. Cairns lost third consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 20 games lost. SE Melbourne will meet Perth (#5) on the road in the next round. Cairns will play against Tasmania JJ (#6) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Cairns: J.McVeigh 21+6reb+1ast, A.Andrews 20+1reb+11ast, K.Galloway 17+4reb+2ast, B.Lachlan 11+2reb+3ast, M.King 10+8reb+1ast, A.Schofield 7+2reb+1ast
SE Melbourne: G.Angus 22+5ast, I.Wes 21+4reb+3ast, C.Ian 19+1reb+5ast, F.Owen 13+5reb+8ast, B.John 10+8reb+2ast, M.D.J. 9+1reb

Tasmania JJ - Illawarra H. 91-101

There was a small surprise in Hobart where eighth ranked Hawks (10-16) defeated 6th ranked JackJumpers (12-16) 101-91 on Saturday. Illawarra H. dominated down low during the game scoring 72 of its points in the paint compared to JackJumpers's 52. Illawarra H. looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Tasmania JJ's players. American center Javale McGee (213-1988, college: Nevada) fired 23 points and 8 rebounds (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winners. The other American import point guard QJ Peterson (183-1994, college: VMI, agency: JCK Sports Group) chipped in 19 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Hawks' coach Justin Tatum used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. International forward Josh Bannan (208-2001, college: Montana) produced 26 points and 8 rebounds and American guard David Johnson (193-2001, college: Louisville) added 21 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for lost side. Five Illawarra H. and four Tasmania JJ players scored in double figures. Illawarra H. moved-up to seventh place. Tasmania JJ lost third consecutive game. Defending champion keeps the sixth position with 16 games lost. Illawarra H. will meet higher ranked Sydney (#3) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Tasmania JJ will play against Cairns and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Tasmania JJ: J.Bannan 26+8reb, D.Johnson 21+8reb+4ast, A.Drmic 13+3reb, B.Ayre 12+3reb+1ast, N.Marshall 9+5reb+7ast, T.Campbell 8+1reb+2ast
Illawarra H.: M.Javale 23+8reb+1ast, P.QJ 19+5reb+6ast, F.Samson 16+3reb, H.William 15+1reb+6ast, G.Daniel 12+2reb+2ast, H.Tyler 6+3reb+2ast

Sydney - Adelaide 106-101

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Adelaide 36ers (20-7) in Sydney on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by third ranked Kings (18-9) 106-101. Sydney made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. Americans were the main players on the court. Worth to mention a great performance of point guard Kendric Davis (183-1999, college: Memphis) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points, 5 rebounds, 14 assists and 4 steals and forward Torrey Craig (198-1990, college: USC Upstate) who added 26 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side guard John Jenkins (193-1991, college: Vanderbilt, agency: Slash Sports) responded with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and guard Bryce Cotton (182-1992, college: Providence, agency: Pensack Sports) scored 17 points and 9 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Kings have an impressive five-game winning streak. Sydney maintains third position with 18-9 record having just two points less than leader Adelaide. Adelaide at the other side still keeps top place with seven games lost. Sydney are looking forward to face Illawarra H. (#7) in Wollongong in the next round. Adelaide will play on the road against Brisbane (#10) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Adelaide: J.Jenkins 20+6reb+5ast, D.Vasiljevic 17, B.Cotton 17+2reb+9ast, I.Humphries 17+10reb+1ast, F.Cameron 14+4reb+8ast, Z.Cheatham 7+8reb+2ast
Sydney: C.Torrey 26+8reb+3ast, D.Kendric 20+5reb+14ast, G.Jaylin 16+8reb+2ast, S.Tim 12+1reb, N.Kouat 11, M.Makuach 10+1reb+3ast

Perth - Melbourne Utd 73-74

Important game to mention about took place in Perth. Fourth ranked United (18-10) saved a 1-point victory on the road edging 5th ranked Wildcats (16-11) 74-73 in the fight for the fourth place. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Wildcats. Melbourne Utd made 24-of-31 charity shots (77.4 percent) during the game. The winners were led by American Milton Doyle (193-1993, college: Loyola, IL) who scored that evening 24 points and 8 assists and Dutch center Jesse Edwards (211-2000, college: WVU) supported him with 18 points and 17 rebounds. Even a double-double of 24 points and 11 rebounds by naturalized South Sudanese center Jo Lual-Acuil (213-1994, college: Baylor) did not help to save the game for Perth. American forward Kristian Doolittle (201-1997, college: Oklahoma, agency: Pensack Sports) added 19 points for lost side. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. United have a solid three-game winning streak. Melbourne Utd maintains fourth position with 18-10 record. Perth at the other side keeps the fifth place with 11 games lost. Melbourne Utd will play against NZL Breakers (#8) in Auckland in the next round. Perth will play at home against the league's second-placed SE Melbourne and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Perth: J.Lual-Acuil 24+11reb+3ast, K.Doolittle 19+4reb, B.Henshall 14+3reb+3ast, D.Windler 6+8reb+2ast, D.Okwera 4+3reb, J.Wagstaff 2+1reb+1ast
Melbourne Utd: D.Milton 24+4reb+8ast, E.Jesse 18+17reb, D.Finn 11+4reb, M.Machar 7+1reb, G.Chris 3+1reb+1ast, K.Fabijan 3+3reb

Brisbane - Illawarra H. 75-113

10th ranked Bullets (6-22) were outscored at home by eighth ranked Hawks (10-16) with the biggest margin this round 113-75 on Monday night. Illawarra H. dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Bullets's 38 and made 27-of-27 free shots (100 percent !!!) during the game. Illawarra H. outrebounded Brisbane 40-21 including a 31-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. Illawarra H. looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. American guard Tyler Harvey (194-1993, college: EWU) fired 22 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. The other American import center Javale McGee (213-1988, college: Nevada) chipped in a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). American guard Hunter Maldonado (201-1999, college: Wyoming, agency: Octagon Europe) produced 20 points and 4 assists and New Zealand guard Taine Murray (196-2002, college: Virginia) added 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for lost side. Five Illawarra H. and four Brisbane 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. Illawarra H. moved-up to seventh place. Brisbane lost eighth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 22 lost games. Illawarra H. will meet higher ranked Sydney (#3) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Brisbane will play against the league's leader Adelaide (#1) having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Brisbane: H.Maldonado 20+2reb+4ast, T.Murray 14+6reb+5ast, M.Norton 12+1reb+3ast, T.Taylor 10+6reb, J.Holt 7+3reb+3ast, T.Smith-Milner 3+3ast
Illawarra H.: H.Tyler 22+6reb+5ast, M.Javale 18+10reb+1ast, H.William 17+3reb+7ast, P.QJ 15+2reb+4ast, F.Samson 14+5reb+5ast, G.Daniel 13+3reb