Round 3 Preview: Kings vs. United & Phoenix
By Matt McQuade
There are always those moments for a team that can define their National Basketball League season.
Usually, they might come midway through a campaign. Or when the team is in a dogfight for playoff positioning down the stretch.
For the Brydens Lawyers Sydney Kings, one of those moments might have come early.
Round Three of NBL22 represents a significant challenge for the purple and gold and a very early test of their resiliency.
At 1-1 on the season, a wounded Kings face three games in a six-day stretch, beginning with a Thursday night matchup in Melbourne at John Cain Arena against an already under pressure United outfit, and a Saturday night showdown at Qudos Bank Arena with Chinese superstar Zhou Qi and his high-flying South East Melbourne Phoenix.
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Sydney is coming off a hard-fought loss to the Illawarra Hawks at the Q in a game where they were without two imports and two key locals, yet took their arch rivals to the limit in what was one of the more spiteful games seen during the 33 seasons of the Freeway Series.
Those two imports – Jaylen Adams and RJ Hunter – will likely be game-time decisions for at least the first game in Melbourne, and there’s no question the club will be sweating on their fitness given what they showed in the team’s opening round victory over United.
Melbourne gunner Chris Goulding will play on Thursday and there’s even a possibility that forward Jack White will make a surprise return from his long-term Achilles injury. Those two obviously add a great deal to their ballclub and are a big reason why Sydney is hoping to have just about all hands on deck against United.
The defending NBL champions are still winless in NBL22 thanks to defeats to the Kings and the Phoenix; so you have to believe they will come out against Sydney with a sense of urgency on their home floor. With Matthew Dellavedova and Shae Ili leading the way defensively, Melbourne will put a lot of heat on Sydney’s ballcarriers and try to force them into the kind of errors that both sustained United’s comeback bid in Round One and hurt the Kings in their defeat to Illawarra.
Up front, Melbourne will look to attack Sydney in the paint with their big, athletic frontline led by seven-foot centre Jo Lual-Acuil, who was a first quarter threat in Round One against the Kings before his influence was quelled to a degree. Expect him to be more effective the second time around, with talented youngsters Ariel Hukporti and David Okwera providing support.
Facing a United squad in Melbourne desperate for a victory is going to be a stern examination for this young Kings’ squad to be sure.
And while the immediate focus for Sydney will be on getting a W on Thursday, they face a quick turnaround with their game against the powerful Phoenix outfit just 48 hours later.
South East Melbourne is unbeaten in NBL22 and have already established themselves as a legitimate championship contender thanks to a deep, talented and experienced squad, an excellent head coach in Simon Mitchell and maybe the biggest X-factor in NBL22, 7’2” pivot Zhou Qi.
Qi was sensational in his team’s win over Melbourne last Sunday, tallying 22 points, ten rebounds and a whopping seven blocked shots. His extreme length, mobility, smarts and post skills make him a difficult matchup for anyone and he must be kept in check as much as possible if the Kings are to come away with the W.
Then there’s Phoenix forward Mitch Creek, who had a career-high 36 points last Sunday against United and looks to be on a mission this season. His relentless attack on the basket, ability to step outside and nail the three; plus his toughness defensively and on the boards, mean that he is the primary focal point for South East Melbourne.
And the Phoenix aren’t bereft in the backcourt either. From impressive American point guard Xavier Munford, who already looks like one of the recruits of the season, to the dynamic Kyle Adnam, the hard-working Izayah Le’Afa and veteran sharpshooter Cameron Gliddon – South East Melbourne have plenty of guys who can hurt you in a variety of ways.
As ever, Sydney will look to its formidable frontline to lead the way in Round Three. Jarell Martin’s stretch the floor ability will be a huge key against the bigger centres he’ll face in allowing the Kings to spread the floor and establish good spacing for their halfcourt offence; his quickness in transition will also be a key, particularly against the slower Qi on Saturday.
Xavier Cooks has been excellent in both games so far and he’ll no doubt be in attack mode throughout these games, particularly going hard to the rack, drawing fouls and getting on the foul line. Sydney will also be hoping that Jordan Hunter is good to go this week and that both Matur and Makur Maker will be productive in their minutes on the floor.
It will of course be a huge boost to the club if Jaylen Adams and RJ Hunter are cleared to play, but even if their injuries force them to miss another week, Head Coach Chase Buford has great confidence in the likes of tough veteran Shaun Bruce to lead the way and exciting youngsters Angus Glover and Biwali Bayles to continue to shine as they have done early in NBL22.
There’s no question Round Three is an enormous test of character for the Brydens Lawyers Sydney Kings.
It’s also an enormous opportunity.
Two wins to start Round Three will send a message to the rest of the league.
And you better believe the Kings are ready to make a statement.
#WeAreKings
WHO
Brydens Lawyers Sydney Kings vs. Melbourne United
Brydens Lawyers Sydney Kings vs. South East Melbourne Phoenix
WHEN
Thursday 16 December, 7:30pm AEST tipoff (vs. United)
Saturday 18 December, 5:30pm AEST tipoff (vs. Phoenix)
LOCATION
John Cain Arena (Thursday vs. United)
Qudos Bank Arena (Saturday vs. Phoenix)
TICKETS
Saturday vs. Phoenix available HERE
TV
Thursday: ESPN; Kayo Sports
Saturday: ESPN; Kayo Sports
RADIO
Thursday: Cluch Radio
Saturday: Cluch Radio
THE PLAYERS
Kings
Jaylen Adams (import – subject to fitness test); R.J. Hunter (import – subject to fitness test); Angus Glover; Xavier Cooks; Jarell Martin (import)
Shaun Bruce; Wani Swaka Lo Buluk; Makur Maker (Next Star); Matur Maker; Tom Vodanovich; Biwali Bayles; Jordan Hunter; Jaylin Galloway (development player); Jayden Hodgson (development player); Ignatius Mitchell (development player)
United
Matthew Dellavedova; Chris Goulding; Brad Newley; Mason Peatling; Jo Lual-Acuil
Caleb Agada (import); Shae Ili; David Barlow; Ariel Hukporti (Next Star); Dion Prewster; Callum Dalton; Jack White (subject to fitness test); David Okwera (development player); Zac Triplett (development player); Will Hickey (development player)
Phoenix
Xavier Mumford (import); Izayah Mauriohooho-Le'afa; Ryan Broekhoff; Mitch Creek; Zhou Qi (special restricted player)
Bench: Cameron Gliddon; Devin Thomas (import – subject to clearance); Dane Pineau; Kyle Adnam; Kendall Stephens; Tohi Smith-Milner; Tristan Forsyth (development player); Owen Foxwell (development player)
THE COACHES
Kings
Chase Buford (NBL rookie head coach, NBL career record 1-1)
United
Dean Vickerman (5th season with United, record with United 95-49, NBL career record 146-89, three NBL championships)
Phoenix
Simon Mitchell (3rd season with Phoenix, NBL career record 31-36)
2021/2022 REGULAR SEASON SERIES
Vs. United
Kings lead 1-0
Kings def. United 79-74 @ Qudos Bank Arena, Round 1
Vs. Phoenix
First meeting
NBL LADDER
Kings 1-1, fourth
United 0-2, ninth
Phoenix 3-0, first
KEY STATS
Kings
Points: Jaylen Adams, 15.0ppg
Rebounds: Xavier Cooks, 9.5rpg
Assists: Xavier Cooks, 5.5apg
United
Points: Jo Lual-Acuil, 14.5ppg
Rebounds: Brad Newley, 8.0rpg
Assists: Matthew Dellavedova, 5.5apg
Phoenix
Points: Mitch Creek, 23.7ppg
Rebounds: Zhou Qi, 6.0rpg
Assists: Xavier Munford, 4.3apg
KEY MATCHUP
Vs. United
Angus Glover vs. Chris Goulding
It says a lot about the rise of Angus Glover that he’s already considered a serious contributor to the ballclub. There’s little doubt he’ll be relied upon to both negate the influence of Chris Goulding and put some pressure on him offensively. ‘Gus’ is maybe the best comeback story of NBL22 so far, and his 16 points to lead the Kings in scoring last week were a reminder of his extreme talent and athleticism. He can bomb it from long distance and loves to get out in transition and finish with a monster jam. Of course, he’ll have his hands full with one of the greatest shooter-scorers the NBL has ever produced, and now an Olympic bronze medallist to boot. Goulding is extremely smart, sneaky athletic, and if you go behind the on-ball screen when defending him you may as well say good night, because he’s going to hurt you from downtown. Gus needs to harass him defensively, be tough and physical, and try to exploit CG43’s liability as a man defender.
Vs. Phoenix
Jarell Martin vs. Zhou Qi
These two have had the odd battle with one another during their time in the NBA, and they’ll resume hostilities at the Q this Saturday. It’s a fascinating individual duel. On the one hand you’ve got one of the most skilled frontline players in the league in Jarell Martin, a guy who plays as an undersized five for the Kings but makes it work given his ability to stretch the court, face up and attack the basket and use his impressive footwork to cause havoc in the low block. Zhou Qi on the other hand is a certified phenomenon, a gigantic centre with great skills in the low post whose enormous length makes him a formidable rim protector. Jarell will face a massive size disadvantage, but can offset that with his mobility and perimeter shooting.
THE QUESTIONS
Can the Kings deal with a desperate United?
How will Sydney’s defence fare against a potent Phoenix offence?
HISTORY
Vs. United
All-time Head-to-Head
34 games played; United leads 23-11
In Melbourne
16 games played; United leads 13-3
At John Cain Arena
15 games played; United leads 12-3
Vs. Phoenix
All-time Head-to-Head
8 games played; Kings lead 7-1
In Sydney
4 games played; Kings lead 3-1
At Qudos Bank Arena
4 games played; Kings lead 3-1
DID YOU KNOW?
After a rough start to the big city rivalry where the Kings won just three of their first 23 games against Melbourne United, the purple and gold have done much better in recent times, winning eight of their last 11 games against Melbourne, including a 2-1 semi-final series win in NBL20. In contrast, the team has fared much better against the Phoenix, and have lost to South East Melbourne just once in their brief history – a 98-84 decision in Round 13 of NBL21. Sydney has won their past two games against the Phoenix, with the most recent a 101-81 blowout at John Cain Arena in Melbourne last season – the 20-point margin the biggest in the eight games played to date between the two teams.
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