NBL Round Eight Review

Adelaide have registered yet another nail biting win – its eighth straight – and Sydney has also continued its fine form, as Round Eight of the NBL season came to a close with the ladder retaining a familiar look.

After blowing New Zealand out of the water on Wednesday night, 121-94, the 36ers continued their knack of winning close games, coming from behind late on at home to defeat Brisbane 90-89.

Star import Willie Farley was the architect behind both wins, posting 26 points and seven assists against the Breakers and 21 points against the Bullets, which got a game-high 30 points from guard Stephen Black.

It was the second loss in as many days for the Queensland side, which has been playing without injured captain Derek Rucker, and went down 94-85 to the Melbourne Tigers on Saturday night at The Cage.

Black continued his fine season with 21 points and seven assists, but the Tiger trio of Dave Thomas (26 points), Chris Anstey (22 points, 12 rebounds) and Rashad Tucker (16 points, seven rebounds, five assists) proved too much to overcome.

Perth was the big mover of the round, moving into the top five after posting consecutive wins over Melbourne and West Sydney.

The Wildcats got 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists from big man Shawn Redhage on Wednesday night in a 100-93 win over the Tigers, and 27 points from veteran Tony Ronaldson on Saturday night orchestrated a 113-92 thumping of West Sydney, who lost the league’s leading scorer James Harvey in the first half with a dislocated shoulder.

Coach Scott Fisher, who has been under immense pressure with a lacklustre start to the season, was more relieved than excited with the victory.

“We didn't take a backward step today, but it wasn't a big leap forward. It wasn't awe-inspiring stuff. It wasn't up to the standard that we played on Wednesday,” he said.

Sydney notched its fifth straight win on Sunday, solidifying second spot with a 106-88 dismantling of New Zealand, the win coming on the back of a tense 99-96 triumph over state rivals Wollongong the night before.

CJ Bruton was again the catalyst, hitting for 20 points and six assists against the Breakers, while Jason Smith’s 13-point fourth quarter (27 overall) was enough to oust the Hawks, who fell into the bottom three with a third straight loss.

Wollongong’s loss came despite the superhuman efforts of former Michigan State alum Adam Ballinger, who poured in 33 second half points on his way to 39, to go with 17 rebounds.

In what seemed a round of streaks, Townsville tumbled to its sixth consecutive defeat, being torched by Hunter import Mike Helms in the Pirates’ 119-93 win.

Helms connected on 13-21 field goals and five of seven three-pointers as he notched up an NBL season-high 42 points, and combined with Aaron Trahair (27 points) proved too much for the Crocodiles defence, and coach Ian Stacker didn’t bother to keep his emotions in check.

“That is rock-bottom as far as I am concerned.

“I don't question their effort, from most of the guys… but the performance tonight was the low point in my time with Townsville, that is for sure”

Hunter followed up the win with another, climbing into eighth spot with a 101-85 victory in Cairns on Sunday, with Helms again the star.

The American followed up his career performance against Townsville with a near triple double, contributing 27 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists to the cause.

It was the second loss in a row for the Taipans, who cling onto fourth spot by percentage after eight rounds. Adelaide and Sydney remain the frontrunners with two wins apiece for the round, while New Zealand remains rooted to the foot of the table with just three wins from 11 starts.

Team of the Week: Hunter Pirates
- 119-93 win @ Townsville
- 101-85 win @ Cairns

Player of the Week: Mike Helms (Hunter)
- 42 points (13-21 FG, 5-7 3FG) vs Townsville
- 27 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists vs Cairns

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