Round 11 Preview: Kings vs. Phoenix & Bullets
By Matt McQuade
Round 11 of the 2021/2022 National Basketball League regular season presents some opportunities to the Brydens Lawyers Sydney Kings.
An opportunity to get a win on the road, for one. Sydney plays South East Melbourne Phoenix on Thursday night at John Cain Arena in Melbourne with a chance to break their current 0-4 duck away from home in NBL22.
And another opportunity, provided other results fall their way, to bust into what has become a volatile Top Four at the end of the round.
Should the Kings emerge victorious against the Phoenix and then again this Sunday afternoon at Qudos Bank Arena against the Brisbane Bullets, they’ll jump above the .500 mark this season for the first time since Round 3 and potentially find themselves in fourth place on the ladder.
Considering the team’s earlier four game losing streak and a seemingly never-ending injury toll, it’s a credit to the group that they’ve been able to fight through a great deal of adversity to win three of their past four contests and keep their playoff aspirations well and truly alive.
Coming off an impressive home victory over the New Zealand Breakers last Sunday, the purple and gold should enter their battle with the Phoenix on Thursday feeling confident of their prospects, particularly against a team they’ve already beaten this season, an 84-73 decision at the Q back in Round 3.
However, they’ll need to be on point against a team that has been hit hard by Covid, yet managed to upset the Illawarra Hawks at the WIN Entertainment Centre last Monday in the final game of Round 10 – this after the Phoenix had given up a sizable first quarter lead at home to go down to the Perth Wildcats last Saturday.
Sitting in second place on the NBL standings with a 7-3 record, the nature of the loss to the Wildcats was somewhat of an aberration given how well South East Melbourne has played this season.
Featuring a no doubt MVP candidate in Mitch Creek (21.6ppg, 5.5rpg, 2.7apg, 1.7spg, 51.9% FG, 41.7% 3PT FG, 72.7% FT), and extremely well coached by Simon Mitchell, who should be back on deck after missing Round 10 with Covid, the Phoenix has size, talent and a lot of depth across the board.
From giant centre Zhou Qi (11.2ppg, 7.0rpg, 2.5bpg, 70.6% FG, 66.7% FT) and his ability to change the game at the defensive end with his extreme length, to outstanding guard Xavier Munford (15.7ppg, 3.6rpg, 3.9apg, 1.2spg) and the all-court threat he represents; forward Ryan Broekhoff (9.7ppg, 6.6rpg) and his ability to score and rebound plus an excellent backup big in Brandon Ashley and guards like Izayah Le’Afa and Kyle Adnam who can put extreme pressure on an opposition defence – South East Melbourne is a tough matchup for Sydney, especially on the Phoenix home court.
VIEW THE KINGS MEMBERSHIP PACKAGES HERE
Once that challenge has been dealt with, Sydney then heads home to take on a Brisbane outfit that coming into Round 11 has lost four straight games, including a blowout in the Hoops Capital courtesy of the Kings just over a fortnight ago; a game the purple and gold led by 34 at one stage before cruising to a 24-point victory.
Based off that game and the Bullets’ recent patch of poor form, the Kings will go in as warm favourites this Sunday. But the purple and gold would be unwise to overlook a team that still has a lot of talent and the potential to beat anyone in the league, as evidenced by their Round 2 win over the Perth Wildcats at RAC Arena.
Brisbane prime mover Nathan Sobey (16.8ppg, 4.8rpg, 3.9apg, 36.8% FG, 26.4% 3PT FG, 84.3% FT) missed his team’s last-start loss to Cairns but should be in uniform for this one and is a guy Sydney must control. A relentless competitor who is deadly in transition, Sobey will be determined to lead his team to a bounce-back win on the road and he can take over a game at any time.
Then the Kings have a concern in defending a pair of highly productive Brisbane imports in Lamar Patterson (17.2ppg, 4.7rpg, 3.4apg, 45.4% FG, 32.0% 3PT FG, 64.1% FT) and Robert Franks (15.9ppg, 8.5rpg, 1.2spg, 42.6% FG, 32.9% 3PT FG, 60.6% FT). Patterson is a do-everything type with a tough step-back jumper; Franks is a stellar athlete who can hit the three and crash the boards.
And Jason Cadee, third import Isaiah Moss, emerging big man Tyrell Harrison, Deng Deng, Anthony Drmic and Tanner Krebs add a great deal of firepower with their ability to impact the scoreboard. Make no mistake, if the Kings don’t bring their A-game on Sunday, Brisbane is more than capable of scoring the upset.
A positive for Sydney of late has been a steady improvement at the defensive end of the floor, where the team now ranks third in the league in defensive efficiency, second in defensive field goal percentage and has been tough to score against over the past four games, giving up just 74 points per game over that span.
That effort has been across the board for the roster, but no doubt keyed by Defensive Player of the Year candidate Xavier Cooks (12.7ppg, 9.5rpg, 2.4apg, 1.7bpg, 48.9% FG, 24.1% 3PT FG, 61.1% FT) who is currently in the top ten of the NBL in defensive rebounding and blocked shots and always takes the key defensive assignment with the ability to shut down multiple positions on the floor.
Offensively, Sydney will be hoping for another couple of big games from Dejan Vasiljevic (11.3ppg, 2.5rpg, 40.7% FG, 41.5% 3PT FG, 81.8% FT) who was terrific against New Zealand and is tough to stop when he gets going with his dual threat of the long bomb coupled with drives to the rack for the deuce.
And of course, you’ve also got a pair of highly productive imports in Jaylen Adams (20.0ppg, 5.4rpg, 5.8apg, 1.6spg, 38.4% FG, 32.4% 3PT FG, 84.2% FT) and Jarell Martin (15.9ppg, 9.5rpg, 1.0spg, 45.5% FG, 31.6% 3PT FG, 79.6% FT), both of whom are relied upon for serious scoreboard pressure.
But one other thing to come out of the win over New Zealand was the contributions from just about everyone else on the roster, something Head Coach Chase Buford will be hoping continues this week.
Two wins in Round 11 could change things in a hurry for the Brydens Lawyers Sydney Kings.
So, let’s get back on the positive side of the ledger in the win-loss column.
Let’s show the league that the Kings are the real deal this season.
Time for the Pride of Sydney to make a statement.
WHO
Brydens Lawyers Sydney Kings vs. South East Melbourne Phoenix
Brydens Lawyers Sydney Kings vs. Brisbane Bullets
WHEN
Thursday 10 February, 7:30pm tipoff AEST (vs. Phoenix)
Sunday 13 February, 3:00pm tipoff AEST (vs. Bullets)
LOCATION
John Cain Arena, Melbourne (Thursday)
Qudos Bank Arena (Sunday)
TICKETS
Sunday’s game available via Ticketek or the Qudos Bank Arena Box Office
TV
Thursday: ESPN, Kayo Sports
Sunday: ESPN, Kayo Sports, 10 Peach
RADIO
Cluch Radio (Thursday and Sunday)
THE PLAYERS
Kings
Jaylen Adams (import); Dejan Vasiljevic; Wani Swaka Lo Buluk; Xavier Cooks; Jarell Martin (import)
Angus Glover; Shaun Bruce; Matur Maker; Tom Vodanovich; Jaylin Galloway (development player); Jayden Hodgson (development Player); Ignatius Mitchell (development player)
Phoenix
Xavier Munford (import); Izayah Le’Afa; Ryan Broekhoff; Mitch Creek; Zhou Qi (special restricted player)
Brandon Ashley (import); Cameron Gliddon; Dane Pineau; Kyle Adnam; Kendall Stephens; Tohi Smith-Milner; Tristan Forsyth (development player); Owen Foxwell (development player)
Bullets
Nathan Sobey; Anthony Drmic; Lamar Patterson (import); Robert Franks (import); Tyrell Harrison
Jason Cadee; Tanner Krebs; Liu Chuanxing; Deng Deng; Jack Salt; Tom Digbeu (Next Star); Tamuri Wigness; Max Mackinnon (development player)
THE COACHES
Kings
Chase Buford (NBL rookie head coach, record 6-7)
Phoenix
Simon Mitchell (3rd season with Phoenix, record 35-39)
Bullets
James Duncan (NBL rookie head coach, record 4-7)
2021/2022 REGULAR SEASON SERIES
Vs. Phoenix
Kings lead 1-0
Kings 84 def. Phoenix 73 @ Qudos Bank Arena, Round 3
Vs. Bullets
Series tied 1-1
Bullets 96 def. Kings 87 @ Nissan Arena, Round 8
Kings 97 def. Bullets 73 @ Qudos Bank Arena, Round 8
NBL LADDER
Kings 6-7, sixth
Phoenix 7-3, second
Bullets 4-7, ninth
LAST GAME
Kings beat New Zealand Breakers 84-65 @ Qudos Bank Arena, Round 10
Phoenix beat Illawarra Hawks 88-87 @ WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong, Round 10
Bullets lost to Cairns Taipans 102-94 @ Nissan Arena, Brisbane, Round 10
KEY STATS
Kings
Points: Jaylen Adams, 20.0ppg
Rebounds: Jarell Martin, 9.5rpg
Assists: Jaylen Adams, 5.8apg
Phoenix
Points: Mitch Creek, 21.6ppg
Rebounds: Zhou Qi, 7.0rpg
Assists: Xavier Munford, 3.9apg
Bullets
Points: Lamar Patterson, 17.2ppg
Rebounds: Robert Franks, 8.5rpg
Assists: Nathan Sobey, 3.9apg
KEY MATCHUP
Friday: Xavier Cooks vs. Mitch Creek
Mitch Creek has been playing at an MVP level for much of the first half of this season and outside Perth’s Bryce Cotton might be the most important player to his team in the league. That’s down to his ferociousness as a competitor, his leadership, his relentless all-out attack and a varied skillset that allows him to score at all three levels, rebound, defend and find teammates open for easy scores. If you negate his considerable influence, you’ve gone a long way to winning the ballgame. Fortunately for the Kings, they have just the guy to curb Creek’s impact in Xavier Cooks, whose uncommon length and athleticism is the perfect counter to what the Phoenix superstar brings to the table. Defensively, X can give Creek nightmares with his size and quickness; offensively he should look to attack him in the post wherever possible; make him work hard and force him into fouling to limit his minutes and effectiveness.
Sunday: Jaylen Adams vs. Nathan Sobey
Nathan Sobey missed last week thanks to a minor calf complaint but by all accounts, he’ll be ready to go this weekend. That could spell danger for the Kings, given that last time Sobey was in the building he was held to just 12 points on 4 of 15 shooting from the field and he’ll be highly motivated to come out this Sunday and prove a point. And when he’s in form, he’s got the kind of game to do serious damage, from his devastating attack on the rim in transition to the ability to pull up on a dime and knock down the outside shot. Then again, in Jaylen Adams, Sydney has someone equally as dangerous – only Jaylen is a better perimeter shooter and facilitator. The Kings’ superstar floor leader has been outstanding in recent weeks and it’s clear already that as he goes, so go the purple and gold.
THE QUESTIONS
Can the Kings get a much-needed win on the road?
Will Jarell Martin have his way with the Brisbane frontline on Sunday?
HISTORY
All-time Head-to-Head – Phoenix
9 games played, Kings lead 8-1
In Melbourne
4 games played, Kings lead 4-0
At John Cain Arena
4 games played, Kings lead 4-0
All-time Head-to-Head – Bullets
85 games played; Kings lead 48-37
In Sydney
41 games played; Kings lead 30-11
At Qudos Bank Arena
15 games played; Kings lead 12-3
DID YOU KNOW?
Sydney has never lost to the South East Melbourne Phoenix at John Cain Arena, a perfect 4-0 record which is the longest-ever winning streak to begin a matchup with another team in the opposing team’s home stadium since the Kings commenced play in the NBL in 1988. And as far as the Brisbane Bullets are concerned at Qudos Bank Arena – the Kings have owned them in the building since February 10 2018, a 92-80 victory that kicked off a current seven game winning streak at the Q for the Kings against the Bullets. Sydney’s longest-ever home winning streak at home against a single team is 14 against the Cairns Taipans, a run of futility in Sydney for the Taipans that lasted for over 11 years.
Tags
â– Quick Links
â– NBL Properties
