NBL Round Four Review

Melbourne have continued their merry run atop the National Basketball league, as round four of the season came and went with another Tigers win, ensuring they maintain first place on the ladder ahead of the Townsville Crocodiles.

26 points and 11 rebounds from electric import Rashad Tucker highlighted Melbourne’s second win over Perth in four games, with Canadian international Dave Thomas’ 20 points also contributing to the 18-point demolition, 91-73.

The high-scoring Crocodiles joined them at the head of the table, posting a 122-113 win over New Zealand, as Larry Abney had a monster game with 27 points and 17 rebounds.

Breakers star Brant Bailey continued his fine start to the season, however a 28-point haul was not enough to get his side over the line, as Casey Calvary and John Rillie both scored 21 to compliment Abney’s powerful display.

Elsewhere, Adelaide consolidated their spot in the top quartet, an opening 12-0 run enough to hold off the Sydney Kings, as they registered a five-point victory at home, 99-94 on Friday night.

Captain Brett Maher led the way with a great all-round game, his 26 points, nine rebounds and six assists ably backed up by Willie Farley’s 22. Maher was delighted as his team held off a 31-24 last term from the Kings, highlighting defensive pressure as a major key in the win.

"We really wanted to focus in a couple of their guards tonight and I thought our guys did a pretty good job on those guys as well," he pointed out.

Sydney came into the game on the back of a 118-85 dismantling of the Hunter Pirates the previous Wednesday, as CJ Bruton’s second consecutive 28-point performance kicked off round four in style.

Cairns joined Adelaide in the top four, celebrating Melvin Thomas’ 400th NBL game in style with a convincing 117-95 win over New Zealand, the second time they have thrashed the Kiwi side this season.

Former Sydney and Victoria guard Gary Boodnikoff drained six three-pointers on his way to a game-high 22 points, despite not scoring a point in the second half, while Thomas contributed 16-points and eight rebounds in his milestone game.

“I am very fortunate to have been able to play a game I love in the league for so long. I am still really enjoying playing and to me it’s still a hell of a lot of fun,” Thomas said earlier in the week, as the game approached.

“My family have been with me every step of the way and that to me is very important.”

In the remaining game of the round, Wollongong captain Matt Campbell poured in seven three-pointers for a season-high 29 points, as the Hawks pulled themselves out of the bottom three with a 100-93 home win over Brisbane.

Derek Rucker tried in vain to lift his side, but his 15 final-quarter points weren’t enough, as the Bullets dropped out of the eight and remain stuck on only one win.

With four rounds now gone, the Tigers and Crocodiles remain on top with four wins apiece, while New Zealand remain nailed to the foot of the competition, despite having played two more games than any other team.

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