Round 15 Preview: Phoenix and Hawks

Written by Matt McQuade for Kings Media 

 

No excuses.

That will be the mantra of the Brydens Lawyers Sydney Kings as they head into the final third of what has been an incredibly challenging National Basketball League season.

It seems like it’s been one hit after the other for this group.

One more injury to further deplete the stocks.

And this week, another loss – that of Next Star Didi Louzada, who departed the organisation to take up a contract with the team that held his NBA draft rights, the New Orleans Pelicans.

Of course, the club is thrilled for Didi and is proud to have played a part in his development. But his absence now robs the team of one of their most effective perimeter defenders and a guy who showed in Round 14 that he was beginning to round into form offensively with a pair of excellent games.

Didi’s exit will be keenly felt, no question. But as Brydens Lawyers Sydney Kings Head Coach Adam Forde often says, it’s all about the next man up mentality with his resilient squad.

That attitude served them well last weekend, when they shook off the late withdrawal of import power forward Jarell Martin to record a pair of gutsy wins, especially against the team they will take on this Thursday night at John Cain Arena in Melbourne, the South East Melbourne Phoenix.

Down by seven midway through the second quarter in their game last Thursday, Sydney took command after that thanks to a number of contributions from right across the roster, dominated the second half and weren’t interested in any injury excuses – it was all about who was in the line-up that night.

South East Melbourne will be without import guard Keifer Sykes and forward Ryan Broekhoff for this Thursday’s game, but will be a dangerous and highly-motivated opponent, considering they have lost two straight and will be itching for revenge against the Kings.

There’s still a lot of talent on the Phoenix roster, despite their injuries. Mitch Creek (20.0ppg, 7.0rpg, 3.2apg, 54.4% FG, 46.6% 3PT FG, 77.4% FT, 31.7mpg) leads the way with his relentless activity and ability to score inside and out. Power forward Ben Moore (11.5ppg, 6.8rpg, 62.9% FG, 84.9% FT, 23.2mpg) is a great athlete who is tough to stop in the post. Cameron Gliddon (11.4ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.2apg, 1.5spg, 40.6% FG, 37.4% 3PT FG, 87.1% FT, 31.5mpg) can be a devastating perimeter shooter and development player Izayah Le’Afa had a career-high 29 points against Sydney last week and the Kings will need to do a better job denying him open looks.

That will be a tough battle in Melbourne. And once it’s concluded, Sydney will turn their attention to another chapter in the Freeway Series as they take on the Illawarra Hawks on Saturday night at what figures to be a packed – and loud – WIN Entertainment Centre.

The Hawks are licking their wounds after a pair of losses on the road last week against Perth and Melbourne, but they will be well-rested and desperate to both get back on the winning track and give themselves an opportunity to jump back into the Top Four.

You can bet that the Hawks and their rabid fanbase have had this game circled on their calendar ever since it was announced. It’s well-documented that this Sydney-Illawarra rivalry is what really gets the juices flowing for the Hawks and their fans, and the Kings need to be prepared for war on Saturday. It will be physical, the environment intimidating, and getting out of there with a W is going to take everything Sydney has.

Illawarra has a ton of talent and is healthier than the Kings too. If Cameron Bairstow (11.4ppg, 6.2rpg, 45.2% FG, 37.8% 3PT FG, 72.7% FT, 21.4mpg) plays, that just gives Illawarra head coach Brian Goorjian another low post weapon to throw out there, augmenting a frontcourt that includes Most Improved Player candidate Sam Froling (10.3ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.0bpg, 51.1% FG, 23.1% 3PT FG, 49.0% FT, 25.9mpg) and veteran AJ Ogilvy (5.2ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.1bpg, 52.4% FG, 75.0% FT, 18.8mpg).

Of course, Illawarra’s strength resides in a deadly perimeter game led by the brilliant Tyler Harvey (19.6ppg, 3.5rpg, 2.7apg, 1.3spg, 43.1% FG, 39.1% 3PT FG, 83.1% FT, 31.9mpg) and Next Star Justinian Jessup (14.7ppg, 4.2rpg, 2.0apg, 1.1spg, 45.5% FG, 40.0% 3PT FG, 78.1% FT, 32.0mpg), with Deng Deng, Daniel Grida, Justin Simon and Deng Adel all capable of doing damage on their night.

In both Round 15 games, the Kings – who may or may not have Jarell Martin in uniform as he continues to battle knee soreness – will need a brave, committed performance from every man on the roster if they are to emerge victorious.

Defensively, there can’t be any breakdowns; offensively they need to be efficient, move the ball through hands and make the opposition work hard to contain them.

From an individual standpoint there’s no doubt that the team will rely heavily on Casper Ware (19.3ppg, 3.5rpg, 4.2apg, 45.0% FG, 34.3% 3PT FG, 82.4% FT, 32.7mpg) to lead the way. He was sensational offensively against the Phoenix last week and he’ll be on a mission to stun all the critics who say that the Kings’ playoff hopes are all but dead and buried considering how much this squad has been decimated this season.

Casper will need help however if the Kings are to come away with two wins this weekend. Jordan Hunter (7.4ppg, 5.8rpg, 57.9% FG, 64.6% FT, 19.0mpg) must dominate in the post and be a force at both ends; Brad Newley (7.3ppg, 4.2rpg, 43.9% FG, 36.0% 3PT FG, 69.2% FT, 19.3mpg) has to be in constant attack mode; Craig Moller (6.3ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.2apg, 49.6% FG, 43.3% 3PT FG, 71.4% FT, 19.0mpg) will need to contribute in a variety of ways and Shaun Bruce, Tom Vodanovich and Daniel Kickert will have to hit their open looks and play sturdy D every minute they are on the floor.

This is a massive test for the Brydens Lawyers Sydney Kings. Two games against teams that are fighting with the purple and gold for a playoff berth in NBL21. Two games on the road. Two games with a massively depleted roster.

But it’s a test the Kings can ace.

No excuses.

Rise With Us Sydney.

 

WHO

Sydney Kings vs. South East Melbourne Phoenix

Sydney Kings vs. Illawarra Hawks

WHEN

Thursday 22 April, 7:30pm AEST tipoff (vs. Phoenix)

Saturday 24 April, 8:00pm AEST tipoff (vs. Hawks)

LOCATION

John Cain Arena, Melbourne (vs. Phoenix)

WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong (vs. Hawks)

TICKETS

Saturday vs. Hawks available HERE

TV/RADIO

Thursday: ESPN; SBS On Demand; NBL.TV; Cluch Radio, SWR99.9FM Radio

Saturday: ESPN; SBS On Demand; NBL.TV; Cluch Radio, SWR99.9FM Radio

THE PLAYERS

Kings

Casper Ware (import); Shaun Bruce; Brad Newley; Jarell Martin (import – pending medical clearance); Jordan Hunter

Craig Moller; Tom Vodanovich; Daniel Kickert; Dexter Kernich-Drew; Jaylin Galloway (development player); Archie Woodhill (development player); Lochlan Hutchison (development player)

Phoenix

Kyle Adnam; Cameron Gliddon; Reuben Te Rangi; Ben Moore (import); Yanni Wetzel

Mitch Creek; Dane Pineau (subject to fitness test); Adam Gibson; Kendall Stephens (subject to fitness test); Izayah Le’afa (development player); Mike Karena; Tristan Forsyth (development player)

Hawks

Tyler Harvey (import); Justin Simon (import); Justinian Jessup (Next Star); Sam Froling; AJ Ogilvy

Cameron Bairstow (subject to medical clearance); Deng Deng; Emmett Naar; Deng Adel; Daniel Grida; Max Darling; Isaac White; Lachy Dent (development player); Akoldah Gak (development player)

THE COACHES

Kings

Adam Forde (NBL rookie head coach, NBL career record 12-12)

Phoenix

Simon Mitchell (2^nd season with Phoenix, NBL career record 22-30)

Hawks

Brian Goorjian (1^st season with Hawks, record with Hawks 12-13, NBL career record 526-234, six NBL championships)

2020/2021 REGULAR SEASON SERIES

Vs. Phoenix

Kings lead 2-1

Kings def. Phoenix 91-85 @ John Cain Arena, Round 8

Phoenix def. Kings 98-84 @ Qudos Bank Arena, Round 13

Kings def. Phoenix 97-90 @ Qudos Bank Arena, Round 14

Vs. Hawks

Hawks lead 2-0

Hawks def. Kings 85-82 @ Qudos Bank Arena, Round 5

Hawks def. Kings 89-69 @ John Cain Arena, Melbourne (NBL Cup), Round 9

NBL LADDER

Kings 12-12, fourth

Phoenix 13-11, third

Hawks 12-13, fifth

KEY STATS

Kings

Points: Casper Ware, 19.3ppg

Rebounds: Jarell Martin, 6.9rpg

Assists: Casper Ware, 4.2apg

Phoenix

Points: Mitch Creek, 20.0ppg

Rebounds: Ben Moore, 6.8rpg

Assists: Keifer Sykes, 5.4apg

Hawks

Points: Tyler Harvey, 19.6ppg

Rebounds: Sam Froling, 6.8rpg

Assists: Tyler Harvey, 2.7apg

KEY MATCHUP

Vs. Phoenix

Jordan Hunter vs. Yanni Wetzel

The last time these two faced off, Hunter dominated their post duel with a devastating performance that included six blocked shots – the second-most ever in a 40-minute game for the Sydney Kings. Wetzel, who is having a fine season otherwise, was held to just four points as Jordan led his team to an outstanding victory. And with both teams dealing with multiple injuries and line-up changes, there’s no doubt the output of both starting centres will be vital to the outcome. In many ways, they are similar athletes – both have great mobility and athleticism, both run the floor well and can score inside. Hunter has the edge defensively; Wetzel will look to be more aggressive this time, attack the post and try to get Sydney’s big man in early foul trouble.

Vs. Hawks

Casper Ware vs. Tyler Harvey

Casper is coming off one of the best games of his stellar career, a 40-point masterpiece against a superstar point guard in Scott Machado, and he’ll be primed for more of the same against arguably the competition’s most explosive player outside Bryce Cotton. It’s become increasingly clear this season that as Tyler Harvey goes, so go the Illawarra Hawks, and when he’s allowed to get off the chain, the Hawks invariably win. He’s got great size, quickness and unlimited range, and Casper will need to perform yeoman’s work defensively to slow him down. But on the other side of the ball, Ware’s off-the-dribble game is very strong and he is playing with a ton of confidence right now, which spells danger for Harvey and the rest of the Hawks.

THE QUESTIONS

Can the Kings knock off the Phoenix yet again in Melbourne?

Will Saturday’s game be another memorable chapter in the Kings-Hawks rivalry?

HISTORY

Vs. Phoenix

All-time Head-to-Head

7 games played; Kings lead 6-1

In Melbourne

3 games played; Kings lead 3-0

At John Cain Arena

3 games played; Kings lead 3-0

Vs. Hawks

All-time Head-to-Head

100 games played; Kings lead 54-46

In Wollongong

47 games played; Hawks lead 24-23

At WIN Entertainment Centre

35 games played; Hawks lead 18-17

DID YOU KNOW?

Vs. Phoenix

Brad Newley plays his 139^th game for the Kings on Thursday night, equalling Ben Madgen for 11^th place all-time in most games played for the franchise.

Vs. Hawks

When the Kings take to the floor on Saturday night for game number 101 against Illawarra in the continuation of an intense rivalry that stretches back to 1988, they will equal the most number of games played against a single opponent in the history of the franchise – the purple and gold has also played 101 games against the Perth Wildcats. At WIN Entertainment Centre the two teams are neck and neck from a win-loss perspective, but the Kings have had great success in the building, most notably their blowout win in Game Two of the 2004/2005 Grand Final Series enroute to their third straight NBL crown. Interestingly, that Grand Final remains the only playoff series that the Kings have ever contested with the Hawks.