NBL Wrap: Breakers and Wildcats close the gap, Kings dealt another blow

THE Breakers and Wildcats have closed the gap at the top of the NBL Ladder, while the Kings were dealt another injury blow.

NBL Rd 9 - Townsville v New Zealand

THE Breakers and Wildcats have closed the gap at the top of the NBL Ladder, while the Kings were dealt another injury blow.

A recap of round nine’s action is in the NBL Wrap.

Cedric Jackson of the Breakers looks to pass the ball during the round nine NBL match between the Townsville Crocodiles and the New Zealand Breakers.

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 99 — PERTH WILDCATS 78

The Breakers picked up an important win over the Wildcats after falling to them just a week earlier. The win closes the gap for second place on the NBL Ladder, with the Breakers now just two games behind the Wildcats.

Thomas Abercrombie finished with 23 points for the Breakers, while the Wildcats’ Jermaine Beal also posted 23 points.

TOWNSVILLE CROCODILES 90 — CAIRNS TAIPANS 76

The Townsville Crocodiles continue to stun NBL fans, completing a blowout of the Cairns Taipans behind a big performance from import Jordair Jett.

Jett finished with 26 points and five rebounds, while Torrey Craig posted 18 points and seven rebounds for the Taipans.

ILLAWARRA HAWKS 102 — MELBOURNE UNITED 87

In what was their biggest win of the season, the Illawarra Hawks picked up the impressive win over a struggling Melbourne United outfit.

AJ Ogilvy solidified his position among the MVP favourites with 15 points, 12 rebounds, four steals and six blocks, while Kevin Lisch posted a game-high 26 points. For United, Chris Goulding finally regained his form with a 25 point showing.

CAIRNS TAIPANS 101 — SYDNEY KINGS 83

New Sydney King head coach Joe Connelly made his debut for the clubs against the Cairns Taipans, but unfortunately couldn’t pick up the win. To cap off a tough season for the Kings, star import Josh Childress suffered another injury, with the wing expected to be out for another six weeks.

Torrey Craig finished with 20 points and nine rebounds for the Taipans, while Angus Brandt posted 16 points and five rebounds.

PERTH WILDCATS 90 — ADELAIDE 36ERS 72

The Wildcats rebounded from a loss earlier in the week, defeating the 36ers with a dominant showing. The loss puts the 36ers out of the NBL top-four, with the Hawks rising to the No. 4 spot.

Casey Prather continues to show improvement with a 23 points performance — including a number of highlight dunks — while 36ers import Jerome Randle posted 18 points.

TOWNSVILLE CROCODILES 75 — NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 86

The Breakers capped off another big week with a win over the Crocodiles, with new import Charles Jackson looking more and more comfortable as each game passes.

Jackson finished with 22 points and six rebounds, while Cedric Jackson posted 13 points, six rebounds and seven assists. For the Crocodiles, import Jordair Jett posted 15 points and four steals.

MELBOURNE UNITED — ADELAIDE 36ERS

Adelaide 36ers import Jerome Randle led a late-game comeback but it wasn’t enough as Melbourne United picked up the big win.

Chris Goulding regained his form for United with 19 points and six rebounds, while Randle finished with 25 points, five rebounds and six assists for the 36ers.

Originally published as NBL Wrap: Breakers and Wildcats close the gap, Kings dealt another blow