NBL Round 31 (Regular Season): Illawarra H. defeat Adelaide in the closest game of the week

The teams have now bigger motivation at this stage of Regular Season. Every game can be crucial and decide about teams' position at the end of Regular Season. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 31 in the NBL took place in Wollongong. This derby game ended with only one-point defeat on the road of much higher ranked Adelaide 36ers (22-9) to seventh ranked Hawks (11-19) 100-99 on Thursday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the guest team. Illawarra H. looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. It was a great evening for international guard William Hickey (194-1999) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists and 4 steals. American center Javale McGee (213-1988, college: Nevada) helped adding 8 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists. Hawks' coach Justin Tatum used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. At the losing side American guard Bryce Cotton (182-1992, college: Providence, agency: Pensack Sports) responded with 28 points and 9 assists. Despite that victory Illawarra H. went down to eighth position due to points difference. Adelaide at the other side still keeps top place with nine games lost. Illawarra H. are looking forward to face higher ranked NZL Breakers (#7) in Auckland in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Adelaide will play on the road against Melbourne Utd (#5) and is hoping to win this game.
The game in Auckland supposed to be also worth to mention about. Second ranked Phoenix (21-9) played at the court of 8th ranked Breakers (12-19). Phoenix smashed Breakers 114-83. It was an exceptional evening for Trinidad and Tobago-Spanish forward Malique Lewis (202-2004) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. Nathan Sobey accounted for 21 points. American point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright (180-1995, college: Arizona) came up with 15 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for NZL Breakers in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. SE Melbourne maintains second place with 21-9 record behind leader Adelaide. NZL Breakers at the other side dropped to the seventh position with 19 games lost. SE Melbourne will play against Sydney (#3) at home in the next round, which may be the game of the day. NZL Breakers will play against Illawarra H. (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Sixth ranked JackJumpers (14-17) crushed at home 10th ranked Bullets (6-24) by 44 points 114-70, which is the biggest margin this round on Friday night. Nick Marshall fired 31 points and 6 rebounds (on 12-of-13 shooting from the field) for the winners. Hunter Maldonado produced 18 points and 5 rebounds for lost side. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending champion maintains sixth place with 14-17 record. Brisbane lost tenth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 24 lost games. Tasmania JJ will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Brisbane will play against Cairns (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last game of round 31 Cairns lost to Perth on the opponent's court 84-98.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 32 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists by Kristian Doolittle of Perth.



NZL Breakers - SE Melbourne 83-114

The game in Auckland supposed to be also worth to mention about. Second ranked Phoenix (21-9) played at the court of 8th ranked Breakers (12-19). Phoenix smashed Breakers 114-83. SE Melbourne made 21-of-25 charity shots (84.0 percent) during the game. They also forced 20 NZL Breakers turnovers. It was an exceptional evening for Trinidad and Tobago-Spanish forward Malique Lewis (202-2004) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. The former international guard Nathan Sobey (190-1990, college: Wyoming) accounted for 21 points for the winning side. Five Phoenix players scored in double figures. American point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright (180-1995, college: Arizona) came up with 15 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and New Zealand guard Tai Webster (193-1995, college: Nebraska) added 16 points and 8 rebounds respectively for NZL Breakers in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. SE Melbourne maintains second place with 21-9 record behind leader Adelaide. NZL Breakers at the other side dropped to the seventh position with 19 games lost. SE Melbourne will play against Sydney (#3) at home in the next round, which may be the game of the day. NZL Breakers will play against Illawarra H. (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
SE Melbourne: C.Ian 23+1reb+1ast, S.Nathan 21+3reb+2ast, L.Malique 13+10reb+6ast, M.D.J. 12+7reb+1ast, I.Wes 11+3reb+1ast, H.Jordan 10+10reb
NZL Breakers: I.Brockington 19+3reb+1ast, T.Webster 16+8reb+2ast, P.Jackson-Cartwright 15+7reb+5ast, C.Davison 9+5reb+2ast, R.Te Rangi 8+2ast, M.Darling 7+3reb+1ast

Illawarra H. - Adelaide 100-99

The most exciting game of round 31 in the NBL took place in Wollongong. This derby game ended with only one-point defeat on the road of much higher ranked Adelaide 36ers (22-9) to seventh ranked Hawks (11-19) 100-99 on Thursday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the guest team. Illawarra H. looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. It was a great evening for international guard William Hickey (194-1999) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists and 4 steals. American center Javale McGee (213-1988, college: Nevada) helped adding 8 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists. Hawks' coach Justin Tatum used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. At the losing side American guard Bryce Cotton (182-1992, college: Providence, agency: Pensack Sports) responded with 28 points and 9 assists and the other American import forward Zylan Cheatham (203-1995, college: Arizona St.) produced a double-double by scoring 10 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists. Four Illawarra H. and five Adelaide players scored in double figures. Despite that victory Illawarra H. went down to eighth position due to points difference. Adelaide at the other side still keeps top place with nine games lost. Illawarra H. are looking forward to face higher ranked NZL Breakers (#7) in Auckland in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Adelaide will play on the road against Melbourne Utd (#5) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Illawarra H.: H.Tyler 22+3ast, H.William 22+5reb+10ast, P.QJ 13+3reb+3ast, L.Wani 11+2reb+1ast, G.Daniel 10, M.Javale 8+14reb+4ast
Adelaide: B.Cotton 28+2reb+9ast, I.Humphries 14+4reb+3ast, N.Rakocevic 14+9reb+2ast, J.Jenkins 12+1reb, F.Cameron 10+8reb+4ast, Z.Cheatham 10+12reb+7ast

Tasmania JJ - Brisbane 114-70

Sixth ranked JackJumpers (14-17) crushed at home 10th ranked Bullets (6-24) by 44 points 114-70, which is the biggest margin this round on Friday night. Tasmania JJ looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Brisbane's players. International swingman Nick Marshall (198-1999, college: Clarke) fired 31 points and 6 rebounds (on 12-of-13 shooting from the field) for the winners. International forward Josh Bannan (208-2001, college: Montana) chipped in 18 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Five JackJumpers players scored in double figures. American guard Hunter Maldonado (201-1999, college: Wyoming, agency: Octagon Europe) produced 18 points and 5 rebounds and the former international point guard Mitch Norton (184-1993) added 17 points (made all of his eight free throws) respectively for lost side. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending champion maintains sixth place with 14-17 record. Brisbane lost tenth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 24 lost games. Tasmania JJ will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Brisbane will play against Cairns (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tasmania JJ: M.Nick 31+6reb+3ast, B.Josh 18+9reb+4ast, C.Tyger 15+3reb+3ast, S.Nicholas 11+3reb+3ast, J.David 10+5reb+5ast, D.Majok 10+4reb+5ast
Brisbane: H.Maldonado 18+5reb+2ast, M.Norton 17+3reb+2ast, J.Holt 9+9reb, T.Murray 9+2reb+3ast, T.Smith-Milner 9+3reb+2ast, C.Dalton 4+5reb

Perth - Cairns 98-84

Very expected game in Perth where 9th ranked Taipans (8-22) were defeated by fifth ranked Wildcats (19-11) 98-84 on Friday. Perth made 17-of-22 free shots (77.3 percent) during the game. Perth outrebounded Cairns 46-31 including 36 on the defensive glass. American forward Kristian Doolittle (201-1997, college: Oklahoma, agency: Pensack Sports) fired 32 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Naturalized South Sudanese center Jo Lual-Acuil (213-1994, college: Baylor) chipped in 27 points and 6 rebounds. Four Wildcats players scored in double figures. American Andrew Andrews (188-1993, college: Washington) produced 25 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists and American-New Zealand swingman Mojave King (196-2002) added 21 points and 8 rebounds respectively for lost side. Taipans' coach rotated eleven players and allowed the starting five to rest. Wildcats have a solid series of three victories in a row. Perth moved-up to fourth place. Loser Taipans keep the ninth position with 22 games lost. Perth will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Cairns will play against Brisbane (#10) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Perth: D.Kristian 32+7reb+4ast, L.Jo 27+6reb, H.Ben 12+5reb+5ast, W.Dylan 11+11reb+3ast, W.Jesse 6+2reb+1ast, R.Dontae 5+2reb
Cairns: A.Andrews 25+6reb+7ast, M.King 21+8reb+1ast, J.McVeigh 18+6reb+5ast, K.Galloway 8+1reb, A.Schofield 7+5reb+2ast, M.Lee 3