Every Game In Focus (Round 14, NBL25)
Every week of the Hungry Jack's NBL25 Season, we'll be previewing the big games, the big names and all the key talking points.
Check out the Round 14 Preview below.
Don't forget, every game of the NBL25 season is live on ESPN.
Cairns Vs Melbourne
When: Thursday, December 26 - 7.30pm AEDT
Where: Cairns Convention Centre
Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo | NZ: ESPN | International
Scores: Download the free NBL App
Watch for: It’s not often a team will make 17 threes in a game and lose, but that’s exactly what happened to the Taipans last round, as they fell to their 13th straight loss. Adam Forde will be hoping that his team’s hot shooting can carry over to their huge Boxing Day home game against Melbourne United. Even though the Taipans have struggled to find a win since Round 3, they’ve been right in the contest in nearly every single one of those games and it’s hard not to believe their next win is right around the corner.
Another positive for Cairns is that it’s had success against United over the last two seasons and especially on its home floor, where history tells us that Melbourne don’t like to play. After a string of losses, United are looking to reclaim their top two spot and find their strong form that had them as one of the best teams in the competition prior to the break. A dangerous team is often one that has nothing to lose and with Taipans being decimated by injuries all season long, they have a mental freedom to come out swinging in every game until the end of the season.
Players to watch: Taran Armstrong just continues to get better with every game played and now has even more attention on him from NBA scouts. Forde noted in their post-game press conference Friday that he’s been fielding calls from NBA teams about his point-guard and it’s no surprise with how he’s been performing on the floor. The efficiency in his shot combined with his ability to create for others has made him one of the best local prospects in the league.
As United fell to their fourth straight loss on Monday night, the ejection to Rob Loe seemed crucial down the stretch of the game. While Marcus Lee made some huge plays late, it was clear the momentum shifted after Loe was thrown out and United couldn’t mount a comeback. With Chris Goulding also back, he got off to a hot start against Tasmania and was then limited by a minutes restriction, which also no doubt hurt Melbourne’s hopes.
The stat: Cairns has lost 13 straight games, while Melbourne has lost four straight.
Missing in action: Sam Waardenburg (hand) is a game-time decision. Akoldah Gak (knee) is out, while Dillon Stith (knee) faces a test.
Brisbane vs Illawarra
When: Friday, December 27 - 7.30pm AEDT
Where: Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo | NZ: ESPN | International
Scores: Download the free NBL App
Watch for: The Hawks sent a message to the entire competition that they are the best team around, after their demolition job of Perth on Sunday. Illawarra’s defence was stifling as they held Bryce Cotton scoreless after quarter time in what was a total team effort and one that Justin Tatum was praising post-game. Not only are they tough on that end, but they managed to score 120 points as well, proving they are a complete package. They have weapons all over the floor and have multiple players who could erupt for 30 points on any given night.
Brisbane has been red hot in recent weeks and continue to score over 100 points with ease. The biggest test for them now is to backup for the third game in a week and try to slow down this Illawarra juggernaut. The Bullets have had no issues scoring the ball at a high and efficient rate since the FIBA Break, but have also struggled to contain the opposition. If they get into a shootout with this Hawks team, it may not end the way they desire.
Players to watch: While the Hawks are the most complete and dominant team at this point in time, Trey Kell III is putting together an All-NBL calibre season for his new club. The former 36er has been exceptional in Illawarra and capped that off with a 31-point performance against Perth last weekend. If it’s not Kell who hurts the opposition, it’s Tyler Harvey, who has also quietly gone about the most efficient and damaging season of his NBL career.
With James Batemon ruled out with a hamstring injury, Justin Schueller will have to go deeper into his bench to try and final some offensive weapons to fill the gap that he’s left. This could be a chance for Isaac White to enjoy the added opportunity to contribute and he will be doing so against one of his former teams as well, much like he did earlier against Adelaide. While Brisbane has had success lately, what they achieve next will still come on the back of Casey Prather and Keandre Cook.
The stat: Prather is averaging over 28 points in his last six games.
Missing in action: Sam McDaniel is out for the season with a shoulder injury. James Batemon is out with a hamstring. Deng Adel (hand) out and Jarrod Bairstow (ankle) also also sidelined.
Adelaide vs Perth
When: Saturday, December 28 - 7.30pm AEDT
Where: Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo | NZ: ESPN | International
Scores: Download the free NBL App
Watch for: One thing the 36ers have done well this season is take care of business at home. When they have been at full strength, or as close to that as possible, they have been a dominant force at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. Unfortunately, they lost that spark against Brisbane on Christmas Eve and will be hoping it was just a minor hurdle. If this Adelaide team wants to make the post-season, it’s going to have to continue that trend and then find a way to win on the road.
Conversely, the Wildcats have had similar issues in road games where they have really struggled to put together a good patch of winning basketball. After Jesse Wagstaff called his team out in the post-game against Illawarra, all eyes will be on how Perth respond in this game. Adelaide is desperate to string some wins together and make a charge towards the top six and if the 36ers can knock off some teams above them in the process, it will only help their cause.
Players to watch: Bryce Cotton had his absurd scoring run came to a halt at the hands of an Illawarra team that kept him scoreless after quarter time. However, Cotton now returns to Adelaide where he scored 49 points just two weeks ago and single handedly tore the 36ers apart. With Adelaide struggling on the defensive end, Cotton will be looking to bounce back to his best in this game.
For the 36ers, they’re led by Montrezl Harrell and Kendric Davis who have been two of the dominant players all season long. They should also now get their sharpshooter, DJ Vasiljevic back from a hamstring injury, which will only add to their offensive potency. Adelaide has no issue in scoring the ball, especially at home, but all eyes will be on whether this team is capable of defending at any sort of level to make them competitive down the stretch.
The stat: Adelaide is the worst rebounding team in the league at 38.6 a game.
Missing in action: Sunday Dech is questionable with a hamstring issue. Tai Webster is also out with a hamstring.
Tasmania vs Brisbane
When: Sunday, December 29 - 2.30pm AEDT
Where: MyState Bank Arena
Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo, 10 & 10 Play | NZ: ESPN | International
Scores: Download the free NBL App
Watch for: The JackJumpers are hoping to continue to pile up wins and cement their place in the top four as they take on Brisbane in their third game in a week. With Will Magnay sidelined until February, any extra wins that Tasmania can muster until he returns, will be a big boost for the team. When the JackJumpers went to John Cain Arena and beat United, they did it on the back of Reuben Te Rangi and Clint Steindl, who both stepped up for the reigning champions.
Brisbane is playing its fourth game in just over a week will make for an interesting watch for a team that only played single-game weekends up until Round 9. The battle between these two teams has always produced something special as the Bullets prefer to rely on shooting the three ball at a high rate, compared to Tasmania which relies on its defence.
Players to watch: As mentioned above, it was the role players for Tasmania who stood up and helped tick off some big wins in recent times. While the JackJumpers still need them to play at this rate going forward, a lot of their success will still come down to what Milton Doyle and Jordon Crawford can achieve offensively. With Crawford’s new role as a spark off the bench, he now has the green light to come into the game and let it fly.
Josh Bannan has returned from injury and is also hoping to find an impactful role coming off the bench, as Casey Prather has been unstoppable in the starting power forward role. Prather has averaged 28 points per game over the last few weeks and has been shooting the three at a super-efficient rate. With no Magnay available, this is a game where Tyrell Harrison will look to dominant the interior.
The stat: Tasmania is the lowest scoring team in the league at 82 points. The JackJumpers also hold opponents to 83 points per game, good enough for second best in the league.
Missing in action: Magnay is out with a toe injury. Sam McDaniel (shoulder) is out for the season. James Batemon is out with a hamstring. injury Deng Adel (hand) and Jarred Bairstow (ankle) are out.
Sydney vs Adelaide
When: Monday, December 30 - 7.30pm AEDT
Where: Qudos Bank Arena
Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo | NZ: ESPN | International
Scores: Download the free NBL App
Watch for: Sydney suffered its third loss to the Hawks on Christmas day and it had Brian Goorjian scratching his head in the post-game press conference. Goorjian was very open about the possibility of the team adding an extra piece to the roster in the coming weeks. After starting the game strong, the Kings just had no answers for the Hawks guard combination in the second half and struggled to contain the high-powered offence.
For the 36ers, it’s now or never, if they want to be playing in the post-season. This supremely talented roster has really struggled to find any form on the road, where they have just one win all season. What could separate teams in this game is as simple as, who is more desperate to make a statement?
Players to watch: When Sydney is rolling, it’s Jaylen Adams and Xavier Cooks who lead the way. However, coming up against Adelaide, the Kings will need Cam Oliver to be at his very best to match it with Montrezl Harrell and Isaac Humphries. One of the more alarming issues with Sydney all season has been its inability to stop bigger teams, and that’s exactly the challenge at hand here when Adelaide come to town.
DJ Vasiljevic returns to his former home court and will be looking to put on a show in front of the Kings' faithful. He’s had some big games on that court, including hitting 10 threes just a few seasons ago when he was playing for Sydney. With both teams capable of putting up big scores offensively, it feels that whoever can control the paint will be the one most likely to win.
The stat: Sydney is the best offensive rebounding team in the league (13.5 per game).
Missing in action: Jaylin Galloway is out for the season with a shoulder injury. Sunday Dech is out with a hamstring issue.
Illawarra vs South East Melbourne
When: Tuesday, December 31 - 5.30pm AEDT
Where: Win Entertainment Centre
Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo | NZ: ESPN | International
Scores: Download the free NBL App
Watch for: The Phoenix have had a big rest before they travel to Illawarra for their New Year’s Eve clash. They will be coming into this game with supreme confidence as they are not only one of the best defensive teams in the league, but they previously beat the Hawks when they last met at John Cain Arena. With Josh King’s team continuing to cement their position in the top half of the table, there is not greater test than measuring yourself against the benchmark in the competition.
Illawarra is beginning to build a fortress at the Win Entertainment Centre and when it’s sold out, the players clearly thrive off the energy. There is simply no matching the vibe of this Hawks team, and that is something Justin Tatum has put a huge emphasis on since he took over last season. With all their puzzle pieces complementing each other, it seems as though how far this team can go this season is all up to them.
Players to watch: Derrick Walton Jr was back into the starting lineup against Adelaide and he came up big in the final quarter. His ability to get to his spot and knock down the mid-range jump shot but also facilitate when he has to, is what sets him apart as one of the best guards in the league when he’s playing well. Matt Hurt has also been putting together a stellar first season in the NBL, scoring at will and looking unstoppable.
What makes the Hawks so damaging is that they have players off the bench who are desperate to contribute at a high rate. The likes of Will Hickey, Lachlan Olbrich, Darius Days and Hyunjung Lee have all been hugely important to the Hawks’ success and it allows Tatum to get his team to be at their peak for 40 minutes.
The stat: The Hawks are the best scoring team in the league at 101.1 points per game.
Cairns vs New Zealand
When: Tuesday, December 31 - 7.30pm AEDT
Where: Cairns Convention Centre
Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo | NZ: ESPN & TVNZ | International
Scores: Download the free NBL App
Watch for: Nothing produces more entertainment than two desperate teams fighting it out. Cairns has lost 13 straight games, with the last win coming back at the beginning of October. The Breakers have lost eight straight after they found themselves in the top two on the standings prior to the FIBA Break.
The positive for these teams is that they’ve both shown glimpses in recent games of a team that can be highly productive on both ends, they’ve just failed to turn that into a win. The Breakers have really struggled to shoot the ball efficiently, especially in the second halves of games, and it’s not surprising they haven’t been able to secure a win recently. Conversely for Cairns, Adam Forde has been open about the fact that it’s all between the ears of his team now and that it takes a certain level of mental strength for them to dig deep in the clutch.
Players to watch: It may not be translating to wins, but Tacko Fall has been quietly finding his feet amidst this slump in form from the team. Whether it’s dunks on the offensive end or protecting the rim at the other, Fall has shown NBL fans that his 7’6” frame can be effective in the NBL. When Karim Lopez was out on Christmas day, it was Mojave King who flashed his brilliance once again with some big highlight plays as he was put into the starting lineup.
For the Taipans, they’ll be hoping Sam Waardenburg can return from injury to give Forde his full starting contingent for just the fourth time all season. Outside of that, it will all come down to whatever Taran Armstrong and Rob Edwards can deliver offensively. Both are capable of having big nights and against a New Zealand team that’s struggling, if they can fire together, it could be one step closer to a win.
The stat: Cairns and New Zealand are the eighth and ninth-worst offensive teams in the league, separated by just .2 points per game.
