NBL Round 30 (Regular Season): SE Melbourne defeat Adelaide

The games at this stage are more interesting as they can be crucial for the final standings in Regular Season. Despite we already know who is stronger and who is weaker, there may be still last minute surprises and upsets. 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 (21-8) in Findon on Saturday night. Hosts were rolled over by second ranked Phoenix (20-9) 97-77. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. SE Melbourne made 21-of-23 free shots (91.3 percent) during the game. SE Melbourne outrebounded Adelaide 48-32 including a 19-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. SE Melbourne looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was a good game for American power forward John Brown III (203-1992, college: High Point) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists. The former international guard Nathan Sobey (190-1990, college: Wyoming) contributed with 19 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals for the winners. Phoenix's coach Josh King used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American guard Bryce Cotton (182-1992, college: Providence, agency: Pensack Sports) replied with 26 points and 6 assists for Adelaide. SE Melbourne maintains second position with 20-9 record behind leader Adelaide, which they share with Sydney. Adelaide at the other side still keeps top place with eight games lost. SE Melbourne is looking forward to face NZL Breakers (#7) in Auckland in the next round where they are favorite. Adelaide will play on the road against Illawarra H. (#8) in Wollongong and is hoping to win this game.
Important game to mention about took place in Hobart. Sixth ranked JackJumpers (13-17) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 7th ranked Breakers (11-18) 91-89 in the game for the sixth place. American guard David Johnson (193-2001, college: Louisville) scored 33 points (!!!) to lead the charge for the winners and Josh Bannan chipped in 16 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was American guard Izaiah Brockington (193-1999, college: Iowa St.) with 24 points and 7 rebounds. Defending champion maintains sixth position with 13-17 record. NZL Breakers at the other side keep the seventh place with 18 games lost. Tasmania JJ will play against bottom-ranked Brisbane (#10) at home in the next round. NZL Breakers will play against the league's second-placed SE Melbourne and hope to get back on the winning track.
The game in Wollongong was also quite interesting. Fifth ranked Wildcats (18-11) played at the court of 8th ranked Hawks (10-18). Wildcats managed to secure a 7-point victory 106-99 on Saturday. American players dominated the game. Kristian Doolittle notched 26 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) to lead the effort. Even 22 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists by QJ Peterson did not help to save the game for Illawarra H.. Perth moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Melbourne Utd. Loser Hawks keeps the eighth position with 18 games lost. Perth will meet at home Cairns (#9) in the next round where they are favorite. Illawarra H. will play against the league's leader Adelaide and hope to secure a win.

In the last game of round 30 Sydney beat Cairns on the road 106-92.
The most impressive performance of 30th round was 35 points (!!!), 7 rebounds and 6 assists by Kendric Davis of Sydney.



Adelaide - SE Melbourne 77-97

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Adelaide 36ers (21-8) in Findon on Saturday night. Hosts were rolled over by second ranked Phoenix (20-9) 97-77. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. SE Melbourne made 21-of-23 free shots (91.3 percent) during the game. SE Melbourne outrebounded Adelaide 48-32 including a 19-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. SE Melbourne looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was a good game for American power forward John Brown III (203-1992, college: High Point) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists. The former international guard Nathan Sobey (190-1990, college: Wyoming) contributed with 19 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals for the winners. Five Phoenix players scored in double figures. Phoenix's coach Josh King used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American guard Bryce Cotton (182-1992, college: Providence, agency: Pensack Sports) replied with 26 points and 6 assists and his fellow American import forward Zylan Cheatham (203-1995, college: Arizona St.) added 13 points and 14 rebounds in the effort for Adelaide. SE Melbourne maintains second position with 20-9 record behind leader Adelaide, which they share with Sydney. Adelaide at the other side still keeps top place with eight games lost. SE Melbourne is looking forward to face NZL Breakers (#7) in Auckland in the next round where they are favorite. Adelaide will play on the road against Illawarra H. (#8) in Wollongong and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Adelaide: B.Cotton 26+4reb+6ast, F.Cameron 21+3reb+2ast, Z.Cheatham 13+14reb+3ast, J.Jenkins 7+2reb, I.Humphries 4+2reb+2ast, I.White 2+1reb
SE Melbourne: S.Nathan 19+8reb+4ast, F.Owen 16+2reb+5ast, B.John 14+13reb+5ast, H.Jordan 13+10reb, C.Ian 12+4reb+3ast, L.Malique 11+2reb

Illawarra H. - Perth 99-106

The game in Wollongong was also quite interesting. Fifth ranked Wildcats (18-11) played at the court of 8th ranked Hawks (10-18). Wildcats managed to secure a 7-point victory 106-99 on Saturday. Perth looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American players dominated the game. Forward Kristian Doolittle (201-1997, college: Oklahoma, agency: Pensack Sports) notched 26 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) to lead the effort and Dylan Windler (201-1996, college: Belmont) supported him with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Even 22 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists by point guard QJ Peterson (183-1994, college: VMI, agency: JCK Sports Group) did not help to save the game for Illawarra H.. Center Javale McGee (213-1988, college: Nevada) added 18 points and 11 rebounds. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Perth moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Melbourne Utd. Loser Hawks keeps the eighth position with 18 games lost. Perth will meet at home Cairns (#9) in the next round where they are favorite. Illawarra H. will play against the league's leader Adelaide and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Illawarra H.: Q.Peterson 22+5reb+6ast, J.McGee 18+11reb+3ast, T.Harvey 13+2reb+2ast, W.Lo Buluk 12+5reb, S.Froling 12+7reb+1ast, W.Hickey 9+1reb+6ast
Perth: D.Kristian 26+5reb+5ast, W.Dylan 22+5reb+5ast, P.Elijah 19+3reb+2ast, H.Ben 17+9reb+6ast, L.Jo 14+4reb, D.Sunday 5+1reb

Tasmania JJ - NZL Breakers 91-89

Important game to mention about took place in Hobart. Sixth ranked JackJumpers (13-17) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 7th ranked Breakers (11-18) 91-89 in the game for the sixth place. Tasmania JJ made 24-of-26 charity shots (92.3 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. American guard David Johnson (193-2001, college: Louisville) scored 33 points (!!!) to lead the charge for the winners and international forward Josh Bannan (208-2001, college: Montana) chipped in 16 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. Four JackJumpers players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American guard Izaiah Brockington (193-1999, college: Iowa St.) with 24 points and 7 rebounds and his fellow American import point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright (180-1995, college: Arizona) scored 14 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Defending champion maintains sixth position with 13-17 record. NZL Breakers at the other side keep the seventh place with 18 games lost. Tasmania JJ will play against bottom-ranked Brisbane (#10) at home in the next round. NZL Breakers will play against the league's second-placed SE Melbourne and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
NZL Breakers: I.Brockington 24+7reb+2ast, T.Webster 15+2reb+2ast, P.Jackson-Cartwright 14+7reb+5ast, M.Darling 9+3reb, K.Lopez 8+4reb, R.Loe 8+6reb+2ast
Tasmania JJ: J.David 33+4reb+2ast, D.Majok 17+5reb, B.Josh 16+11reb+5ast, M.Nick 10+8reb+3ast, C.Tyger 9+3reb+9ast, D.Anthony 6+3reb+1ast

Cairns - Sydney 92-106

No shocking result in a game when third ranked Kings (20-9) beat 9th ranked Taipans (8-21) in Cairns 106-92 on Sunday. Sydney dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Taipans' 38. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Sydney made 8 blocks. American point guard Kendric Davis (183-1999, college: Memphis) notched 35 points (!!!), 7 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the effort and the former international forward Xavier Cooks (203-1995, college: Winthrop) supported him with 15 points, 7 rebounds and 4 blocks. Even 17 points and 9 rebounds by American-New Zealand swingman Mojave King (196-2002) did not help to save the game for Cairns. American Andrew Andrews (188-1993, college: Washington) added 12 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists. Four Sydney and five Cairns players scored in double figures. Kings have an impressive seven-game winning streak. Sydney moved-up to second place, which they share with SE Melbourne. Loser Taipans keep the ninth position with 21 games lost. Sydney will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Cairns will play against Perth (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Cairns: B.Lachlan 18+1reb+3ast, M.King 17+9reb+3ast, J.McVeigh 17+5reb+4ast, K.Galloway 17+5reb, A.Andrews 12+6reb+10ast, M.Lee 6+5reb
Sydney: D.Kendric 35+7reb+6ast, C.Xavier 15+7reb+2ast, C.Torrey 13+6reb+1ast, R.Tyler 12+6reb, S.Tim 12+1reb, D.Matthew 8+4reb+7ast