Australian NBL round 1 recap
The Australian NBL is up and running for the 2014/2015 campaign after the season tipped off in style Down Under with four games across Friday and Saturday. Over the four games the honours were split as two home teams claimed victory, while two teams went on the road and came away with wins. Check out how the first round played out.
Perth Wildcats vs. New Zealand Breakers, 70-80
The big game during the opening weekend of the 2014/2015 Australian NBL season saw reigning champions the Perth Wildcats fall at home to a plucky New Zealand Breakers effort. The visitors were propelled by American guard Cedric Jackson, returning to the franchise for a second stint and picking up where he left off with 22 points. The Breakers won the first half comfortably with a 14-28 first frame and a 12-21 second. The Wildcats in front of 12,903 home fans rallied in the third quarter (31-17), but could not prevent the Breakers taking the win in the fourth.
Adelaide 36ers vs. Cairns Taipans, 87-97
The Cairns Taipans travelled to Adelaide and came away with a key opening success, continuing the clubs good form from the pre-season campaign. The visitors kept pace with the 36ers throughout and executed at the right time, mainly through a big second half courtesy of Scottie Wilbekin who scored 18 of his 23 points in the closing 20 minutes. The 36ers took the lead in the first quarter, pacing through the period to lead 25-23 after ten minutes. A big second saw the Taipans put together a 16-25 run to lead 41-48 at halftime. A 25-23 Adelaide win in Q3 made it interesting, but led by Wilbekin, Cairns eased to victory in the fourth frame.
Wollongong Hawks vs. Townsville Crocodiles, 92-83
The Hawks got their 2014/2015 Australian NBL off to a nice start by sinking the Crocodiles at home during Round 1. The hosts needed a fourth quarter surge to get the job done though as Townsville looked the most likely to win after 30 minutes on the hardwood. A high scoring opening quarter resulted in the visitors leading 24-26 after a rain of buckets in the opening ten. Wollongong moved back into contention in the second frame, winning the stanza 22-20 to put the scoreboard on 46-46 at the long break. The Crocodiles bit into the home teams’ defence in the third quarter and won the stint 13-21 to look in control at the final split (59-67). The fourth quarter saw the Hawks respond with a hot streak, pouring in 33 points to turn the game around and claim the win.
Sydney Kings vs. Wollongong Hawks, 86-83
Instead of the Sydney Kings playing Melbourne United (the remaining team yet to play), they instead clashed with their rivals from Wollongong. The arch rivals clashed in a classic encounter, but ultimately the Hawks paid the price for two games in two days and lost the game. The hosts looked fresher as they paced to a 21-17 first quarter lead, but the Hawks looked more comfortable on the hardwood after the Friday night win over the Crocs. American Josh Childress has been talked up by the Kings and the swingman wasted no time in living up to expectation. The former NBA player notched 26 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocked shots in a tour de force individual performance that brought victory to the Kings.