Sydney Kings v New Zealand Breakers
When: Friday, October 18 at 7:30pm (AEDT) LIVE via SBS On Demand
Where: Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Olympic Park
Fresh from their two-game NBLxNBA tour of the United States, the New Zealand Breakers land in Australia looking to kick-start their 2019-20 campaign with a win over the Sydney Kings.
With NBL fans across the country already accustomed to one LaMelo Ball, a fellow projected first-round pick in next year’s NBA Draft will now have his chance to charm from the point guard position.
Nine-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul hailed RJ Hampton’s ability following last week’s matchup in Oklahoma City, telling reporters: "I see why all the scouts and GMs came to see him play."
Hampton’s hopes of dazzling the Sydney crowd on NBL debut, however, will be easier said than done, with the Kings coming off a commanding 22-point victory over the Adelaide 36ers in Round 2.
Jae’Sean Tate terrorised the Sixers to the tune of 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists – the 23-year-old’s strength and quickness proving too much for his opposing bigs to handle.
But with Tate being one jewel on a glittered Kings roster, and coach Will Weaver an enforcer of fast-paced basketball from the opening tip, the Breakers would be wise to shed the sluggish starts that preceded defeats to both Memphis and OKC.
Finding early rhythm through Hampton, Corey Webster and Scotty Hopson will be key for the Breakers, who have tasted defeat in each of their last five meetings with the Kings.
And with reigning league MVP Andrew Bogut still to contend with, as well as rising Brazilian star Didi Louzada: a sixth could be on the cards.
Perth Wildcats v Cairns Taipans
When: Friday, October 18 at 9:30pm (AEDT) LIVE via SBS On Demand
Where: RAC Arena, Perth
Perth Wildcats are off to a 2-0 start to the season and already appear primed for a ruthless run back to the top of the competition.
The defending champions backed up their last-gasp victory over Melbourne United with a big win over the Illawarra Hawks last week and will fancy their chances at home to the Cairns Taipans.
The Snakes slither into the Jungle with an 0-3 record, in the midst of a brutal four-leg road trip, and are yet to break the "mental barrier" coach Mike Kelly believes has bogged his side down throughout the current campaign.
Cairns have led at half-time in each of their three games thus far, but have failed to close out close encounters against the Sydney Kings, Brisbane Bullets and Hawks.
Led by Scott Machado, DJ Newbill and Cameron Oliver, the Taipans’ run-and-gun offence can often leave opposing teams caught out in transition, and that will be the game plan once again come Friday.
Having been tamed by the Taipans in the same fixture last season, the Wildcats will look to the likes of Dario Hunt, Terrico White, Nick Kay and star shooting guard Bryce Cotton to ensure fans witness a different outcome this time out.
Adelaide 36ers v Brisbane Bullets
When: Saturday, October 19 at 5:30pm (AEDT) LIVE on SBS VICELAND and On Demand
Where: Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Hindmarsh
"We played like sh*t… from this point on we’ll give a way better effort."
Adelaide 36ers point guard Jerome Randle was livid following last week’s heavy loss to the Sydney Kings and promised improvement when the Brisbane Bullets come to town on Saturday.
But for the Sixers to come good on Randle’s reassurance, they’ll have to dispatch a team led by a man they once loved in the City of Churches: star guard Nathan Sobey.
Sobey signed a three-year deal with the Bullets during the off-season and has already impressed, averaging close to 18 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists through three games in 2019-20.
With the Bullets 2-1 on the season, a win in Adelaide would allow Andrej Lemanis’ men to move past the defensive lapse that saw South East Melbourne Phoenix put up 113 points in a blowout loss last weekend.
Defence will be key in this matchup, and given the Joey Wright-led Sixers are more than capable of producing big numbers, the Bullets will no doubt look to buckle down early on.
Once teammates, Randle and Sobey will now go head-to-head for what promises to be an intriguing subplot at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
South East Melbourne Phoenix v Illawarra Hawks
When: Saturday, October 19 at 8:00pm (AEDT) LIVE via SBS On Demand
Where: Melbourne Arena, Melbourne
Melbourne will bear witness to LaMelo Ball for the first time this NBL season when the Illawarra Hawks visit the league’s newest franchise, South East Melbourne Phoenix.
The Phoenix have well and truly risen in 2019-20, having won their opening two games against cross-town rivals Melbourne United and the Brisbane Bullets with an attractive style of basketball that puts points on the board and fans on their feet.
"It’s amazing to be part of a first-year franchise and see how many people are in the stands," star guard John Roberson said. "It’s just crazy."
Equally crazy has been Ball’s impact; attracting worldwide interest with every game as the 2020 NBA Draft draws ever so closer.
The 18-year-old is currently averaging 12 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 2.3 steals per game and, fresh off the Hawks’ first win of the season against Cairns, will look to add to those totals inside Melbourne Arena.
Hawks coach Matt Flinn has made a point of promoting smaller, faster basketball and will likely call upon Ball, Aaron Brooks, Todd Blanchfield, Tim Coenraad and AJ Ogilvy to try stymie the home side.
Coenraad, however, will likely have his work cut out for him as he attempts to shackle Phoenix star Mitch Creek.
Creek spent last season in the NBA G League, along with short stints at the Brooklyn Nets and Minnesota Timberwolves, and is set to play his 200th NBL game this weekend.
The 27-year-old currently leads the league in rebounds (9) per game, sits second in scoring (26.5) and third in assists (5.5) after two games and should shine under an even brighter spotlight on Saturday.
New Zealand Breakers v Sydney Kings
When: Sunday, October 20 at 3:00pm (AEDT) LIVE on SBS VICELAND and On Demand
Where: Spark Arena, Auckland
The New Zealand Breakers and Sydney Kings resume hostilities on Sunday in the second leg of their Round 3 double-header.
Breakers fans will have the chance to cheer their new-look team on home court for the first time this season as Corey Webster suits up for his 200th NBL game.
Director of Basketball Dan Shamir, RJ Hampton, Scotty Hopson, Sek Henry, Brandon Ashley and Ater Majok make up the list of fresh faces for the Kiwi ball club, who are aiming to return to the NBL Finals after finishing sixth last season.
A three-time NBL champion in the midst of a decade-long stint in New Zealand, Webster remains loyal to the Breakers and, alongside NBA-hopeful Hampton, will form a backcourt that will be the key to victory over a Kings side missing two-time league MVP Kevin Lisch.
Melbourne United v Perth Wildcats
When: Sunday, October 20 at 5:00pm (AEDT) LIVE on SBS VICELAND and On Demand
Where: Melbourne Arena, Melbourne
With their own two-game NBLxNBA tour of the United States also at an end, Melbourne United arrive back on home soil for a Grand Final rematch on the very court that saw Perth Wildcats clinch the Championship last season.
United are without a win to start the current campaign, having gone down in close encounters against cross-town rivals South East Melbourne Phoenix and, ironically, the Wildcats in Round 1.
A late three-point dagger from Terrico White clinched the nail-biting Wildcats win last time out, but Sunday’s encounter could prove an entirely different story.
Coach Dean Vickerman will be tasked with managing a tired United roster still recovering from tough games against the LA Clippers and Sacramento Kings respectively, and the Wildcats could take full advantage.
With the injury designations surrounding Championship-winning duo Casey Prather and David Barlow still yet to be declared, United’s hopes will once again rest on Melo Trimble, Chris Goulding, Shawn Long and Mitch McCarron – the latter of which may have his hands full with reigning Grand Final MVP Bryce Cotton.
Illawarra Hawks v Adelaide 36ers
When: Monday, October 21 at 7:30pm (AEDT) LIVE via SBS On Demand
Where: WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
One of the NBL’s fiercest rivalries will write a new chapter on Monday when former Illawarra Hawks captain Kevin White returns to the Sandpit for the first time since joining the Adelaide 36ers on a two-year deal during the off-season.
White was deemed surplus to requirements at the Hawks during free agency, but it seems their loss is now Joey Wright’s gain.
The 36ers coach named White co-captain of his side due to his defence and leadership, and the 32-year-old guard will no doubt look to make a statement on a stage magnified by the presence of LaMelo Ball.
Ball’s battle with former league MVP Jerome Randle will be of particular interest on the night – heightened by the home side’s memories of Randle from the 2017 NBL Finals – and the young point guard should shine in one of his toughest head-to-head matchups of his developing career.
