NBL Round 32 (Regular Season): Sydney top SE Melbourne in the most crucial game of the week

The Regular Season in NBL is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 3 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Melbourne. Third ranked Kings faced second-ranked Phoenix. Guests from Sydney (21-9) smashed host Phoenix (21-10) 114-88. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Phoenix. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Sydney dominated down low during the game scoring 70 of its points in the paint compared to Phoenix's 50 and made 26-of-32 free shots (81.3 percent) during the game. Sydney had a 30-19 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. 26 personal fouls committed by SE Melbourne helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was American point guard Kendric Davis (183-1999, college: Memphis) who scored 30 points and 9 assists. The former international forward Xavier Cooks (203-1995, college: Winthrop) chipped in 20 points (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!). American power forward John Brown III (203-1992, college: High Point) produced 15 points and 5 rebounds for the hosts. 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 an impressive eight-game winning streak. Sydney moved-up to second place. SE Melbourne at the other side dropped to the third position with ten games lost. Sydney are looking forward to face Illawarra H. (#8) in Wollongong in the next round where they are favorite. SE Melbourne will play at home against Tasmania JJ (#6) and is hoping to win this game.
The game in Auckland was also worth to mention about. 7th ranked Hawks (11-19) played at the court of eighth ranked Breakers (12-19). Breakers defeated Hawks 106-95. American point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright (180-1995, college: Arizona) orchestrated the victory by scoring 23 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Izaiah Brockington contributed with 27 points and 4 assists for the winners. International guard William Hickey (194-1999) replied with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists for Illawarra H.Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. NZL Breakers moved-up to seventh place. Illawarra H. at the other side dropped to the eighth position with 19 games lost. NZL Breakers will play against league's leader Adelaide in Findon in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Illawarra H. will play at home against the league's second-placed Sydney (#2) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
The game in Melbourne was also quite interesting. Second ranked Adelaide 36ers (22-9) played at the court of 5th ranked United (18-12). Adelaide 36ers defeated United 87-76 on Saturday. Worth to mention a great performance of Nick Rakocevic who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). Tyson Walker responded with 16 points and 4 assists. United's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Adelaide keeps a position of league leader. Loser United keeps the fifth place with 12 games lost. Adelaide will meet at home NZL Breakers (#7) in the next round where they are favorite. Melbourne Utd will play against Cairns and hope to secure a win.

In the last game of round 32 Cairns defeated Brisbane in a road game 81-72.
The best stats of 32th round was 25 points and 9 rebounds by Terry Taylor of Brisbane.



NZL Breakers - Illawarra H. 106-95

The game in Auckland was also worth to mention about. 7th ranked Hawks (11-19) played at the court of eighth ranked Breakers (12-19). Breakers defeated Hawks 106-95. NZL Breakers made 20-of-25 charity shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. American point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright (180-1995, college: Arizona) orchestrated the victory by scoring 23 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. The other American import guard Izaiah Brockington (193-1999, college: Iowa St.) contributed with 27 points and 4 assists for the winners. International guard William Hickey (194-1999) replied with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists and the former international swingman Todd Blanchfield (198-1991) added 19 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Illawarra H.Five NZL Breakers and four Illawarra H. players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. NZL Breakers moved-up to seventh place. Illawarra H. at the other side dropped to the eighth position with 19 games lost. NZL Breakers will play against league's leader Adelaide in Findon in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Illawarra H. will play at home against the league's second-placed Sydney (#2) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Illawarra H.: T.Blanchfield 19+6reb+1ast, T.Harvey 19+1reb+5ast, J.McGee 15+7reb+1ast, W.Hickey 14+10reb+9ast, D.Grida 10, S.Froling 6+7reb+1ast
NZL Breakers: B.Izaiah 27+4reb+4ast, J.Parker 23+8reb+6ast, W.Tai 17+5reb+2ast, T.Reuben 13+2reb+2ast, L.Robert 13+2reb+2ast, J.Andrew 6+1reb+1ast

Melbourne Utd - Adelaide 76-87

The game in Melbourne was also quite interesting. Second ranked Adelaide 36ers (22-9) played at the court of 5th ranked United (18-12). Adelaide 36ers defeated United 87-76 on Saturday. Adelaide made 17-of-19 free shots (89.5 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of Serbian-American power forward Nick Rakocevic (211-1997, college: USC, agency: Slash Sports) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) and American forward Zylan Cheatham (203-1995, college: Arizona St.) who added 19 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. Five Adelaide 36ers players scored in double figures. American guard Tyson Walker (185-2000, college: Michigan St.) responded with 16 points and 4 assists and his fellow American import Milton Doyle (193-1993, college: Loyola, IL) scored 17 points. United's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Adelaide keeps a position of league leader. Loser United keeps the fifth place with 12 games lost. Adelaide will meet at home NZL Breakers (#7) in the next round where they are favorite. Melbourne Utd will play against Cairns and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Melbourne Utd: C.Goulding 18+1reb+1ast, M.Doyle 17+3reb+3ast, T.Walker 16+3reb+4ast, F.Delany 9+5reb+3ast, T.Krebs 5+3reb+1ast, J.Edwards 5+8reb+2ast
Adelaide: R.Nick 20+12reb+2ast, C.Zylan 19+9reb+3ast, C.Bryce 17+5reb+6ast, H.Isaac 13+4reb+1ast, C.Flynn 13+4reb+8ast, J.John 5+2reb

SE Melbourne - Sydney 88-114

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Melbourne. Third ranked Kings faced second-ranked Phoenix. Guests from Sydney (21-9) smashed host Phoenix (21-10) 114-88. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Phoenix. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Sydney dominated down low during the game scoring 70 of its points in the paint compared to Phoenix's 50 and made 26-of-32 free shots (81.3 percent) during the game. Sydney had a 30-19 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. 26 personal fouls committed by SE Melbourne helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was American point guard Kendric Davis (183-1999, college: Memphis) who scored 30 points and 9 assists. The former international forward Xavier Cooks (203-1995, college: Winthrop) chipped in 20 points (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!). American power forward John Brown III (203-1992, college: High Point) produced 15 points and 5 rebounds and the former international guard Owen Foxwell (188-2003) added 9 points and 7 assists respectively for the hosts. 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. Kings have an impressive eight-game winning streak. Sydney moved-up to second place. SE Melbourne at the other side dropped to the third position with ten games lost. Sydney are looking forward to face Illawarra H. (#8) in Wollongong in the next round where they are favorite. SE Melbourne will play at home against Tasmania JJ (#6) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
SE Melbourne: N.Sobey 15+1reb+2ast, J.Brown III 15+5reb+1ast, W.Iwundu 14+2reb+1ast, J.Hunter 11+7reb, M.Lewis 10+5reb+2ast, O.Foxwell 9+4reb+7ast
Sydney: D.Kendric 30+4reb+9ast, C.Xavier 20+4reb+3ast, G.Jaylin 14+4reb+5ast, C.Torrey 13+6reb+2ast, M.Makuach 10+2reb, S.Tim 9+6reb+2ast

Brisbane - Cairns 72-81

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 10th ranked Bullets' (6-25) home loss to ninth ranked Taipans (9-22) 72-81 on Sunday. Cairns made 17-of-20 free shots (85.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American Andrew Andrews (188-1993, college: Washington) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 12 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists and the former international forward Jack McVeigh (203-1996, college: Nebraska) who added 22 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. American forward Terry Taylor (196-1999, college: Austin Peay) responded with 25 points and 9 rebounds and Canadian forward Jacob Holt (206-2003, college: Sacramento St.) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points and 11 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Cairns maintains ninth position with 9-22 record. Brisbane lost eleventh consecutive game. They stay dead last with 25 lost games. Cairns will meet at home higher ranked Melbourne Utd (#5) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Brisbane will play against Perth (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Brisbane: T.Taylor 25+9reb+1ast, J.Holt 13+11reb+2ast, H.Maldonado 13+10reb, A.Ducas 11+2reb+3ast, T.Smith-Milner 4+4reb+1ast, T.Murray 4+6reb+3ast
Cairns: M.Jack 22+5reb+1ast, K.Stattmann 15+4reb+3ast, K.Mojave 13+11reb+1ast, A.Andrew 12+6reb+10ast, L.Marcus 8+9reb+2ast, G.Kyrin 5