Perth vs Sydney, the Grand Final series is locked in, call off the season.
If only it were that simple for Wildcats and Kings fans but your teams looked a class above over the first fortnight of the NBL.
It had only been a nine-team league with Adelaide flying the NBL flag proudly in the NBA pre-season with an historic win over Phoenix before being beaten by an OKC team with some guy called Josh Giddey who looked familiar to the 36ers.
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 vs Cairns at Qudos Bank Arena, 7.30pm AEDT
If Xavier Cooks is on a fast break and you want to block it, think again. For any defender needing a reference on this, contact Mr I Humphries of Melbourne United. The Taipans (2-1) had their very early-season bubble burst by Perth on Monday night so they are at long odds to get an upset on the road against the Kings.
Perth vs Melbourne at RAC Arena, 9.30pm AEDT
Luke Travers will run away with the sixth man of the year award if Wildcats coach John Rillie keeps starting him on the bench. The stashed – both as in hidden away and moustachioed – Cleveland draftee is clearly good enough to start in any team in the NBL but if it ain’t broke, Rillie doesn’t seem likely to fix this situation. United (1-1) were embarrassed after falling down by 38 in the second half on their home floor – Rayjon Tucker declared himself the NBL’s best import in the pre-season but he’s failing to walk the walk.
Adelaide vs Illawarra at Adelaide Entertainment Centre, 5.30pm AEDT
The Hawks felt hard done by after a few crucial calls down the stretch went against them when they looked like they were going to score a rare win in Perth. With former NBA guard Justin Robinson out for the season with a knee injury, the club could struggle until a new import is rushed in.
South East Melbourne vs New Zealand at John Cain Arena, 8pm AEDT
Melbourne residents who have been feeling tremors in recent days, it’s because Chinese star Zhou Qi, who averaged 11.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and two blocks a game last season, has landed in the Victorian capital and is throwing down dunks at training.
Phoenix coach Simon Mitchell says he will take a few weeks to get into game shape but his 1-2 side needs all the help they can get. Ryan Broekhoff (hamstring) and Trey Kell (rib) have also been cleared to make their season debuts.
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.
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.
