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Just when you thought the first two rounds meant Sydney and the Wildcats were on a collision course for a Grand Final showdown, Cairns upset the Kings on their court and Melbourne United do likewise in Perth.
The Wildcats and Kings fans looked a class above over the first fortnight of the NBL but Cairns lowered Sydney’s colours 83-78 on Friday in the upset of the season before Melbourne came away from RAC Arena with an 84-81 triumph.
Cairns are shaping up as the big improvers this season with road wins in Hobart and Sydney over the first three weeks while the Breakers have shown they won’t be easybeats with their victory in Melbourne over the Phoenix.
Grand pre-season expectations in Brisbane are looking dicey after they’ve lost all three games to sit at the bottom of the standings.
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Here’s all the pre- and post-game talking points for this weekend’s Round 3 fixtures.
Adelaide 72 Tasmania 97 at Adelaide Entertainment Centre, 7.30pm AEDT
Sixers fans got their first look at new import trio Robert Franks, Craig Randall II and Antonius Cleveland but the JackJumpers spoiled the homecoming party by racing out to a 32-10 lead in the first quarter. They cut the deficit to 51-37 at the main break but Adelaide, after winning the Blitz and blitzing it in the US, looked heavy legged. Tassie star Josh Magette broke out of his early-season funk with 23 points, seven assists and four steals while Rashard Lewis added 19 points to lift Tassie to a 2-3 record.
Craig Randall II of the Adelaide 36ers dribbles around Damion Lee of the Phoenix Suns. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Sydney 78 Cairns 83 at Qudos Bank Arena, 7.30pm AEDT
The Taipans had their very early-season bubble burst by Perth on Monday night and were at long odds to get an upset on the road against the Kings but are now 3-1 after their boilover in the Harbour City. Dejan Vasiljevic (20 points) led the way for the hosts after early MVP contenders Xavier Cooks and Derrick Walton jnr were stifled by the Snakes’ defence. Even with star import Tahjere McCall sidelined with a hip complaint, Cairns were the better side with Keanu Pinder (16 points, 11 rebounds) and Shannon Scott (16 points, five assists) stepping up big time.
Perth 81 Melbourne 84 at RAC Arena, 9.30pm AEDT
United were embarrassed after falling down by 38 in the second half on their home floor to the Kings last week and they responded in the best possible way. Rayjon Tucker declared himself the NBL’s best import in the pre-season but he’s been failing to walk the walk. A 14-point haul in Perth was a step in the right direction as Isaac Humphries (17 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (17) and Chris Goulding (16) shouldered the lion’s share of the offensive load.
Bryce Cotton poured in a game-high 32 points but a stepback three late in the game which rattled out proved decisive. Perth veteran Jesse Wagstaff faces sanctions after he was cited by the game review panel for unduly rough play for an incident in the first half when he floored Lachie Barker with a heavy screen.
Squad update:
Lachie Barker suffered a concussion late in the first quarter, and will not return to tonight’s game. pic.twitter.com/JQQMtPiFo9
Adelaide 90 Illawarra 80 at Adelaide Entertainment Centre, 5.30pm AEDT
The Hawks, with former NBA guard Justin Robinson out for the season with a knee injury, are too hot and cold at the moment and desperately need a new import. The visitors started slowly in Adelaide to trail 25-17 after the first term but looked to be on the way to an upset when they clawed back to a 60-58 advantage heading into the final quarter. But 36ers import Craig Randall hit 17 of his game-high 28 points in the fourth as the hosts swamped the Hawks 32-20 in the final frame.
South East Melbourne 77 New Zealand 85 at John Cain Arena, 8pm AEDT
The Breakers hadn’t won in their past 11 matches in Australia so this was a huge relief. Even without Barry Brown jnr (hamstring), they were clearly the better team with Rob Loe (18 points) and Izayah Le’afa (14 points, 10 assists and six rebounds), against his old club, leading the way.
Chinese star Zhou Qi, who averaged 11.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and two blocks a game last season, made his first appearance for the season along with import Trey Kell and Boomers veteran Ryan Broekhoff but they only combined for 26 points as Mitch Creek (20) and Kyle Adnam (17) tried to spark the home side.
Phoenix coach Simon Mitchell should be worried about his team and his job security after their 1-3 start.
Melbourne vs Tasmania at John Cain Arena, 2pm AEDT
Unless United can come away from Perth with a rare win or Tasmania do likewise in Adelaide, these teams could be entering this match with 1-2 and 1-4 records respectively.
Gotta keep grinding ????
First home game, Sunday 3pm.#RIVERCITYSTRONG pic.twitter.com/zfMErdM8uU
Brisbane vs Sydney at Nissan Arena, 4pm AEDT
Aron Baynes looks uncharacteristically tentative in the Boomers big man’s return to the court after a year out with his spinal injury but the greater concern for the Bullets (0-3) is Tyler Johnson.
The former NBA guard has averaged a decent 16.7 points across his first three games but dished out only three assists per game. His shooting percentage has been strong at 54% but he’s not having enough of an impact so he needs to put up more shots this Sunday in a crucial home date with Sydney.
Illawarra vs New Zealand at WIN Entertainment Centre, 7.30pm AEDT
Still way too early to get a gauge on the new-look Breakers after an overtime loss in Melbourne and a home win over the JackJumpers. It’s a bit rough that after 18 months away from NZ due to the pandemic, this will be the third road game from four to start the season.
