NBL Round 35 (Regular Season): SE Melbourne is defeated by Melbourne Utd in a derby game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Melbourne: United (#5) and Phoenix (#3). United (20-13) won against visiting Phoenix (22-11) 95-91. Melbourne Utd outrebounded SE Melbourne 47-28 including 18 on the offensive glass. It was a great evening for American guard Tyson Walker (185-2000, college: Michigan St.) who led his team to a victory scoring 23 points and 5 assists. Dutch center Jesse Edwards (211-2000, college: WVU) helped adding 17 points and 11 rebounds. The former international guard Nathan Sobey (190-1990, college: Wyoming) responded with 29 points and 7 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Melbourne Utd maintains fifth place with 20-13 record. SE Melbourne at the other side keeps the third position with 11 games lost.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Adelaide 36ers (23-10) against fourth ranked Wildcats (21-12) on Friday night. Visiting Adelaide 36ers were defeated by Wildcats in Perth 86-74. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Adelaide 36ers. It was an exceptional evening for the former international guard Elijah Pepper (193-2001, college: UC Davis) who led the winners and scored 22 points and 5 assists. Jo Lual-Acuil accounted for 21 points and 6 rebounds. Serbian-American power forward Nick Rakocevic (211-1997, college: USC, agency: Slash Sports) came up with 18 points and 7 rebounds for Adelaide in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Perth maintains fourth place with 21-12 record. Adelaide at the other side keeps the second position with ten games lost.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Sydney. First ranked host Kings (24-9) defeated 4th placed Wildcats (21-12) 102-84. The best player for the winners was Kendric Davis who had a double-double by scoring 30 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists. Kristian Doolittle produced 19 points and 9 rebounds for the guests. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Kings have an impressive series of eleven victories in a row. Sydney maintains first place with 24-9 record. Loser Wildcats keeps the fourth position with 12 games lost.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 35: Illawarra H. won against Melbourne Utd on the opponent's court 100-91. Tasmania JJ was outscored by Illawarra H. in a home game 70-103. Cairns were rolled over NZL Breakers on the road 115-84. Bottom-ranked Brisbane was crushed by Sydney on its own court 77-117.



Melbourne Utd - Illawarra H. 91-100

There was a minor upset in Melbourne where 5th ranked United (20-13) was defeated by eighth ranked Hawks (13-20) 100-91 on Sunday. Illawarra H. outrebounded Melbourne Utd 45-32 including a 36-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was center Javale McGee (213-1988, college: Nevada) who had a double-double by scoring 22 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists. Guard Tyler Harvey (194-1993, college: EWU) chipped in 18 points and 5 rebounds (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line). Five Hawks players scored in double figures. Guard Tyson Walker (185-2000, college: Michigan St.) produced 30 points and 4 assists (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!) and Milton Doyle (193-1993, college: Loyola, IL) added 21 points, 6 assists and 4 steals respectively for the hosts. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Illawarra H. moved-up to seventh place, which they share with NZL Breakers. Loser United keeps the fifth position with 13 games lost.
Top scorers:
Melbourne Utd: T.Walker 30+3reb+4ast, M.Doyle 21+4reb+6ast, J.Edwards 13+9reb, T.Krebs 7+2reb, F.Krslovic 7+4reb, C.Goulding 6+1ast
Illawarra H.: M.Javale 22+13reb+4ast, H.Tyler 18+5reb+2ast, P.QJ 13+5reb+6ast, H.William 13+1reb+2ast, B.Todd 11+6reb, L.Wani 11+1reb+2ast

Sydney - Perth 102-84

The game between Top Four teams took place in Sydney. First ranked host Kings (24-9) defeated 4th placed Wildcats (21-12) 102-84. Sydney looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was American point guard Kendric Davis (183-1999, college: Memphis) who had a double-double by scoring 30 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists. The former international forward Xavier Cooks (203-1995, college: Winthrop) chipped in a double-double by scoring 14 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. American forward Kristian Doolittle (201-1997, college: Oklahoma, agency: Pensack Sports) produced 19 points and 9 rebounds and the former international guard Elijah Pepper (193-2001, college: UC Davis) added 14 points and 10 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Kings have an impressive series of eleven victories in a row. Sydney maintains first place with 24-9 record. Loser Wildcats keeps the fourth position with 12 games lost.
Top scorers:
Perth: K.Doolittle 19+9reb+2ast, E.Pepper 14+10reb+1ast, D.Russo-Nance 12+2reb+2ast, J.Lual-Acuil 12+3reb+2ast, D.Duke Jr. 9+1reb+1ast, S.Dech 9+1reb
Sydney: D.Kendric 30+5reb+10ast, M.Makuach 18+4reb, S.Tim 14+4reb+1ast, C.Xavier 14+10reb+4ast, G.Jaylin 9+4reb+2ast, N.Kouat 7+3reb+1ast

Tasmania JJ - Illawarra H. 70-103

There was a small surprise in Hobart where eighth ranked Hawks (13-20) smashed 6th ranked JackJumpers (14-19) 103-70 on Wednesday. Illawarra H. made 20-of-23 free shots (87.0 percent) during the game. Illawarra H. outrebounded Tasmania JJ 55-33 including a 39-26 advantage in defensive rebounds. Illawarra H. looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American guard Tyler Harvey (194-1993, college: EWU) who scored 21 points and 4 assists. His fellow American import center Javale McGee (213-1988, college: Nevada) chipped in a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds. Four Hawks players scored in double figures. International forward Josh Bannan (208-2001, college: Montana) produced 17 points and American point guard Tyger Campbell (180-2000, college: UCLA) added 17 points respectively 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. Illawarra H. moved-up to seventh place, which they share with NZL Breakers. Defending champion Tasmania JJ keeps the sixth position with 19 games lost.
Top scorers:
Tasmania JJ: J.Bannan 17+4reb+1ast, T.Campbell 17+3reb+1ast, M.Deng 11+4reb, D.Johnson 9+6reb+2ast, A.Drmic 5+2reb, W.Archie 5+5reb
Illawarra H.: H.Tyler 21+4reb+4ast, P.QJ 20+2reb+3ast, M.Javale 15+10reb+2ast, F.Samson 11+10reb+3ast, P.Mason 9+8reb+3ast, H.William 8+7reb+3ast

NZL Breakers - Cairns 115-84

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 9th ranked Taipans' (9-24) road loss to eighth ranked Breakers (13-20) 84-115 on Thursday. NZL Breakers dominated down low during the game scoring 82 of its points in the paint compared to Taipans' 40. NZL Breakers looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The best player for the winners was New Zealand forward Sam Mennenga (206-2001, college: Davidson) who scored 32 points and 9 rebounds (on 15-of-19 shooting from the field). American point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright (180-1995, college: Arizona) chipped in a double-double by scoring 19 points and 13 assists. Five Breakers players scored in double figures. American Andrew Andrews (188-1993, college: Washington) produced 24 points and 7 assists and swingman Kody Stattmann (202-2000, college: Virginia) added 20 points and 5 rebounds 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. NZL Breakers moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Illawarra H. Loser Taipans keep the ninth position with 24 games lost.
Top scorers:
Cairns: A.Andrews 24+2reb+7ast, S.Kody 20+5reb, R.Smith 13+1reb+2ast, J.McVeigh 6+7reb+2ast, B.Lachlan 6+2reb+1ast, M.Lloyd 6+2reb
NZL Breakers: M.Sam 32+9reb+3ast, J.Parker 19+2reb+13ast, D.Carlin 15+11reb+3ast, L.Karim 15+6reb+2ast, L.Robert 11+4reb+1ast, T.Cooper 7+1reb

Melbourne Utd - SE Melbourne 95-91

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Melbourne: United (#5) and Phoenix (#3). United (20-13) won against visiting Phoenix (22-11) 95-91. Melbourne Utd outrebounded SE Melbourne 47-28 including 18 on the offensive glass. It was a great evening for American guard Tyson Walker (185-2000, college: Michigan St.) who led his team to a victory scoring 23 points and 5 assists. Dutch center Jesse Edwards (211-2000, college: WVU) helped adding 17 points and 11 rebounds. The former international guard Nathan Sobey (190-1990, college: Wyoming) responded with 29 points and 7 rebounds and American forward Wes Iwundu (198-1994, college: Kansas St.) scored 17 points. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Melbourne Utd maintains fifth place with 20-13 record. SE Melbourne at the other side keeps the third position with 11 games lost.
Top scorers:
SE Melbourne: N.Sobey 29+7reb+1ast, W.Iwundu 17+4reb+1ast, I.Clark 14+1ast, J.Brown III 10+6reb+2ast, M.Lewis 7+4reb+4ast, J.Hunter 4+4reb+1ast
Melbourne Utd: D.Milton 25+3reb+2ast, W.Tyson 23+3reb+5ast, E.Jesse 17+11reb+3ast, G.Chris 14+3reb, D.Finn 7+9reb+3ast, K.Tanner 5+10reb

Brisbane - Sydney 77-117

Everything went according to plan in Brisbane where first ranked Kings (24-9) outscored bottom-ranked Bullets (6-27) 117-77 on Friday. Sydney dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Bullets's 30 and made 16-of-16 free shots (100 percent !!!) during the game. Sydney looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. The best player for the winners was American point guard Kendric Davis (183-1999, college: Memphis) who scored 31 points and 8 assists (on 13-of-15 shooting from the field). The former international forward Xavier Cooks (203-1995, college: Winthrop) chipped in 13 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Five Kings players scored in double figures. American guard Hunter Maldonado (201-1999, college: Wyoming, agency: Octagon Europe) produced 16 points and 6 assists and the other American import forward Terry Taylor (196-1999, college: Austin Peay) added 11 points respectively 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. The victory was the eleventh consecutive win for Kings. Sydney maintains first place with 24-9 record. Brisbane lost their thirteenth game in a row. They stay dead last with 27 lost games.
Top scorers:
Brisbane: H.Maldonado 16+4reb+6ast, T.Murray 13+3ast, T.Taylor 11+4reb+2ast, J.Purchase 9+2reb, T.Harrison 8+2reb+1ast, T.Smith-Milner 6+2reb+2ast
Sydney: D.Kendric 31+1reb+8ast, M.Makuach 15+3reb+1ast, C.Torrey 14+7reb+1ast, C.Xavier 13+8reb+5ast, D.Matthew 13+4reb+5ast, R.Tyler 11+2ast

Perth - Adelaide 86-74

Very important is a road loss of second ranked Adelaide 36ers (23-10) against fourth ranked Wildcats (21-12) on Friday night. Visiting Adelaide 36ers were defeated by Wildcats in Perth 86-74. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Adelaide 36ers. Perth made 16-of-19 charity shots (84.2 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. It was an exceptional evening for the former international guard Elijah Pepper (193-2001, college: UC Davis) who led the winners and scored 22 points and 5 assists. Naturalized South Sudanese center Jo Lual-Acuil (213-1994, college: Baylor) accounted for 21 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side. Serbian-American power forward Nick Rakocevic (211-1997, college: USC, agency: Slash Sports) came up with 18 points and 7 rebounds and American forward Zylan Cheatham (203-1995, college: Arizona St.) added 11 points and 11 rebounds respectively for Adelaide in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Perth maintains fourth place with 21-12 record. Adelaide at the other side keeps the second position with ten games lost.
Top scorers:
Adelaide: N.Rakocevic 18+7reb+1ast, Z.Cheatham 11+11reb+1ast, F.Cameron 10+2reb+7ast, I.White 10+3reb+6ast, D.Vasiljevic 6+2reb+1ast, J.Jenkins 5
Perth: P.Elijah 22+3reb+5ast, L.Jo 21+6reb, W.Jesse 18+7reb+1ast, D.David 13+1reb+3ast, D.Kristian 5+6reb+8ast, O.David 4+2reb+1ast