NBL round 14: Tasmania continues historic streak, Adelaide in crisis after heavy Perth loss
The Tasmania JackJumpers title defence is continuing to gather momentum as the NBL franchise continue to make history. But one part of their game might be of concern.
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Tasmania has extended its franchise-best winning streak to eight straight matches after the defending champions handed Brisbane a second straight loss at MyState Bank Arena on Sunday.
Two of the form teams heading into round 14, the JackJumpers led at every change to continue an impressive run of form that’s seen them rise from ninth to third on the ladder in the space of seven weeks.
The 95-86 win over the Bullets came off the back of another even spread under Milton Doyle (23 points, five rebounds and three assists) while a strong showing on the boards at both ends of the court also played a key role.
Despite the absence of star big man Will Magnay, Tasmania won the rebound count 42-38 with Bullets duo Tyrell Harrison and Josh Bannan unable to take any real advantage on the glass in his absence.
A 30-23 second-term gave Tasmania the lift they needed after a tight first-term and while third quarter blues were the story of their early season form, another strong defensive showing limited Brisbane to just 14 points after the long break.
In-form Brisbane import Casey Prather (18 points and seven rebounds) was held relatively well after entering the game averaging 29.3 points over the last eight games with the loss of James Bateman continuing to hurt the Bullets offence until former JackJumpers star Josh Adams joins the line-up in January.
JackJumpers veteran Anthony Drmic (19 points, five rebounds and one assist) continued to show he has plenty left in the tank after a slow start to the season while Jordon Crawford’s (13 points and eight assists) move out of the starting five continues to be a coaching masterstroke by Scott Roth.
Tasmania (11-8) will next face South East Melbourne on January 5 while Brisbane (9-10) will return home to host Sydney on January 4.
HOME COURT HEROICS CONTINUE
While Adelaide’s once imposing home court advantage was considered the league’s best just a few months ago, the 36ers slide means Tasmania has well and truly become the kings of home court advantage.
Sunday’s win over Brisbane was the JackJumpers seventh straight win at home, a run that began back in round 2 against Melbourne United – the same side that handed them their last loss in Hobart during last season’s grand final series.
Now on a franchise best run, Tasmania will head into 2025 with five of their last 10 games at MyState Bank Arena in what is now a scary proposition for the rest of the competition.
TASSIE’S THREE-POINT TROUBLES
While they may have walked away with the win, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Tasmania who ended the game with another poor showing from deep.
For the seventh time this season, the JackJumpers ended a game with a below 30 per cent record from beyond the arc.
They went at 25 per cent (8/32) on Sunday, their worst showing since going at just 16 per cent for 5/31 back in round seven against Sydney.
36ers season on brink of disaster as star turns on coach
The Adelaide 36ers’ faltering season is on the brink of disaster, with star centre Isaac Humphries revealing he and his teammates don’t know their roles because coach Mike Wells is failing to connect with his team.
Speaking in a damning interview after Adelaide’s demoralising 24-point loss on its home court to the Perth Wildcats on Saturday night, Humphries was asked if his coach’s message is getting through.
“Ah, no,” a frank Humphries replied on ABC Radio.
“It’s so fresh, sorry, we’re struggling right now … you guys don’t see a lot of stuff that happens behind the scenes.
“We need to do better for you guys out here, but it’s a collective from what happens during the week and it’s just a hard environment right now.
“Guys coming in and out is always hard … no one knows their role.
“No one knows their role, and we’re all trying to figure it out in front of your eyes.
“So, the frustration is exactly the same for us as it is for you guys watching.
“We’re just trying to figure this out every day and we’re just not.”
Humphries was a key re-signing in the off-season, but has struggled to consistently find his best form in a crowded big man rotation with imports Montrezl Harrell and Jarell Martin.
He didn’t see a lot of court time against the Wildcats and was asked why.
“No, not planned, I don’t know, can’t answer that,” he said.
“It’s a coach question … I have no idea what’s going on.”
Wells played a straight bat when asked about the behind-the-scenes dynamic of his team that has been sadly lacking cohesion.
“I think I will just keep the locker room in-house, if that’s ok,” Wells said.
The Sixers started the season brightly enough and received a boost when Harrell was brought in as an injury replacement, but have gone south since he and Kendric Davis were suspended for their roles in an ugly melee against Melbourne United.
The result against Perth condemned the 36ers to a 7-11 record, having lost seven of their past eight games in a stretch that is starting to look like an uncontrollable tailspin.
Harrell was an energetic, bombastic, inspiring revelation early in his maiden NBL stint, but has been criticised for his poor body language recently.
The former NBA player has been speculated to be the target of overseas clubs.
“I have no ideas on rumours or whatever … I’m probably not the right guy (to ask),” Wells said.
“He’s been a dominant force for us, with the things that he’s done and how he impacts the game and his level of play here in the NBL.
“So, I’m sure there’s interest from other teams with the way that he has been able to show that he can compete at a high level.”
INJURY BLOW PROVES COSTLY AS BULLETS FALL TO HAWKS
A chance went begging for the Brisbane Bullets on Friday night when a 10-point second quarter lead vanished against a more polished Illawarra Hawks outfit in the clash between the NBL’s two hottest teams.
The Hawks stormed home 102-84 at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre to remain league leaders after a fifth win in a row.
For the Bullets, they must wonder if they have enough cavalry to step up over a full forty-minute game against the NBL’s best without star guard James Batemon and a defence that only operates part-time.
Poor passing, a lack of ball security and too much isolation ball cruelled the Bullets after they led 50-48 at half time and 34-29 at quarter time after conceding the first eight points of the match.
The Bullets looked like a one-man team at times with the hot-handed Casey Prather the only one threatening to take the game away from the Hawks.
He had 27 points at three quarter time but added only a single point in the final term which was reflective of the Bullets running out of steam.
Illawarra however were at their best running in transition, swinging the ball and creating offence off screens, especially for deep-shooting ace Tyler Harvey and big man Sam Froling.
While Prather had it going, guards Mitch Norton and Keandre Cook were cold on offence. The Hawks were white-hot, scoring a season-high 34 points in a third quarter that won the game.
One of the few to get on top of Tyrell Harrison in his golden December for the Bullets was Froling, who rocked the Hawks’ Christmas singlet in style by pouring in 15 points to go along with 12 rebounds, one steal and a block.
Illawarra outscored Brisbane 54-34 in a lopsided second half where Hawks’ prime mover Trey Kell III returned from a second-quarter ankle injury to finish with 18 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals.
THIRD QUARTER WOES
The Bullets did themselves no favours in the third quarter when they handed the Hawks the keys to the driver’s seat as the game turned on its head.
Brisbane led 50-48 at the half and led by as many as six in the third before the Hawks clawed back to lead 82-68 with one quarter remaining.
The Hawks went on a 34-18 run in the third frame, with Froling, Trey Kell III, Tyler Harvey and Co tightening the screws.
Nothing came easy for the home side, who clearly lacked a first option scorer in guard James Batemon, whose season-ending hamstring injury dealt a big blow to the Bullets’ title hopes and momentum that reached a halt on Friday night.
PRATHER PUTS HAWKS TO THE SWORD
It was a new round and the same Prather on Friday when the former league MVP put on a first half masterclass of jump shooting to spearhead Brisbane into the box seat.
Prather’s presence was again influential for the Bullets with his mid range moves magic in the early going.
He had 17 points at the main break and maintained the rage on the defensive end where he was as plucky as ever.
He had one startling rejection that denied Hawks big man Froling and two steals under the basket. At the same time his three-point prowess dropped in four threes from five attempts.
HARVEY HAS HIS WAY
The Bullets led by as many as 10 in the first half but sharpshooting Hawks guard Tyler Harvey muscled up while Trey Kell III was sidelined with what looked like a rolled ankle.
The streaky lefty sank two treys just prior to halftime which was just what the doctor ordered for the visitors, who, despite shooting just 3-11 from three, trailed by just two points at the main break.
Kell III left the game with five minutes to play in the second quarter but started the third quarter for the Hawks in a huge second half boost for the visitors.
SCOREBOARD: Hawks 102 (T.Harvey 17pts, T.Kell 18pts, S.Froling 15pts) def Bullets 84 (C.Prather 28 pts, J.Bannon 17pts, I.White 10pts).
UNITED ADDS TO CAIRNS’ WOES
Dean Vickerman and Melbourne United have returned to winning ways, storming past the Taipans in a 76-66 victory over the Taipans at the Snakepit.
United, looking to end a four game losing streak, blitzed the game open in the first quarter with sharpshooter Chris Goulding nailing a trio of threes and big man Robert Loe providing a number of ferocious flare screens.
Taipans, who rank tenth in the league for rebound percentage this season, were slaughtered on the glass with one offensive rebound to Melbourne’s twelve, while going 14 to 31 in total rebounds.
Taran Armstrong, who has been sensational over the past month was particularly targetted by the opposition, with his piercing pocket passing game constantly under pressure.
It would be difficult to question Armstrong’s intent, diving on loose balls and throwing his body on the line in the first half, but finished the half with zero points and two assists (four points and four assists for the match).
Dean Vickerman pointed out pre-game that the Taipans average 32 threes a game, with a focus on closing out and contesting on the perimeter shooters.
“Happy with our defensive intent,” Goulding said at halftime.
“We scrambled defensively, we’re boxing out (for rebounds) and taking care of the defensive end. We need to be careful, keep executing and stay solid on (the defensive end).”
The Far North side fought back in the third quarter with a strong defensive display, while the inclusion of experienced playmaker Kyle Adnam made an impact.
The former United guard slotted 12 points, but it was composure in possession and vocal leadership that brought control back to his side’s offence.
Forde opted to leave both point guards Adnam and Armstrong out on the floor, with the decision cutting the margin down to eight points at three-quarter time.
Taipans import Rob Edwards and leading scorer for the season, Rob Edwards (six points from 2-12 FG and two assists), was left out during large parts of the quarter with his isolation scoring at times detrimental to the offence.
Melbourne United’s experience and poise took over in the fourth quarter with guns Jack White (14 points and eight rebounds) and Ian Clark (12 points) both terrific.
Former Cleveland Cavalier Matthew Dellavedova had seven points and six assists.
Versatile Cairns forward Pedro Bradshaw battled hard, while Taipan’s big man Sam Waardenburg was a welcome addition to the side, returning from a thumb injury, with the power forward their most consistent player over the tough season.
80 days ago Taipans walked out of John Cain Arena with a 88-101 victory.
It could potentially be their last victory for the year.
14 losses later the Snakes still haven’t found a way to find the finish line with one fixture remaining for the year against the Breakers on New Years Eve.
BULLETS’ SURGE TAKES A HIT WITH STAR IMPORT RULED OUT FOR SEASON
- Matt Logue
The Brisbane Bullets’ top-six hopes have copped a blow with import guard James Batemon ruled out for the season with a hamstring injury.
It’s the worst possible news for the revitalised Bullets given Batemon’s brilliant scoring form in NBL25.
In November, the American entered the record books with 51 points in Brisbane’s big win over Perth.
Batemon’s scintillating solo performance was the most points scored by a Bullets player in the NBL’s 40-minute era since 2009.
His nine three-pointers were also the most made by a Brisbane player in the 40-minute game.
Sadly, the Bullets will have to fire without their gun import for the rest of the season.
Batemon sustained the hamstring injury during the team’s recent victory over the Cairns Taipans.
Bullets head coach is remaining optimistic despite the significant injury setback.
“James has been key in our growth this season, both on and off the court,” Schueller said.
“We’ll regroup, adapt, and continue to push towards our goals.”
Josh Kunen will replace Batemon in the lineup for Friday’s night’s game against the Hawks as the Bullets weigh up signing an injury replacement in the coming weeks.
Bullets CEO Malcolm Watts believes the team possess the depth to counter Batemon’s season-ending injury.
“James has been an integral part of our success this season, bringing leadership, energy, and exceptional playmaking ability to the court,” Watts said.
“It’s always difficult to see a player sidelined, especially ones as dedicated as James. However, we are confident in our squad’s resilience and are actively evaluating the player market for an import replacement who can help us maintain our momentum.”
The fifth-placed Bullets currently hold an 9-8 record and remain in the hunt for a strong finish to the NBL season.
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