THURSDAY
January 30, 2014

New Zealand Breakers v Sydney Kings
Vector Arena
Tip-off 7:30pm (Local)
NBL.tv 5:30pm AEDST

The Sydney Kings are arguably the hottest team in the NBL at the moment, after many counted them out they have come through with four straight wins to maintain fourth position on the NBL ladder.

One team desperate to end the streak and steal that spot is the New Zealand Breakers. The three-time defending champions came up trumps in a shootout against the Wollongong Hawks in Round 15 and will want to keep that run alive.
Last time they met, the Breakers downed the Kings behind 31 points from Gary Wilkinson. They’ll need a similar effort from him when he matches up with AJ Ogilvy, who blocked eight shots in total against the Adelaide 36ers last week.
 

Perth Wildcats v Cairns Taipans
Perth Arena
Tip-off 7:00pm (Local)
NBL.tv 10:00pm AEDST

The Perth Wildcats were shocked last week, suffering their first defeat at the Perth Arena this season on a buzzer beater from Mark Worthington. The Wildcats have bounced back from their losses so far this season, and they’ll look to do so again.

Cairns are one of the few teams to take down the ‘Cats, knocking them off in Round 11. In that game it was Demetri McCamey leading the way with 22 points. It’ll be on 2012/13 Defensive Player of the Year, Damian Martin, to try and contain the explosive import guard.

The Taipans will be without Cam Tragardh once again and in his absence Stephen Weigh has stood tall. He could be the x-factor in this one.

FRIDAY
January 31, 2014

Townsville Crocodiles v Wollongong Hawks
Townsville Entertainment Centre
Tip-off 7:30pm (Local)
This game will NOT be televised due to weather conditions

This matchup features two teams on a downward slide, with the Wollongong Hawks having lost to three in a row. With each defeat their chance of making the finals decreases.

The Townsville Crocodiles boast the unfortunate title of having the longest losing streak in the league this season, with it now sitting at eight games. This has relegated them to the bottom of the ladder and with backup big man Greg Vanderjagt going down, things won’t get any easier.

Crocs coach Shawn Dennis looks likely to switch the gameplan up a bit in the hopes of turning things around. He’ll have to do so against one of the brightest coaching minds in NBL, as Gordie McLeod brings his well-drilled squad to The Swamp.

SATURDAY
February 1, 2014

Adelaide 36ers v Cairns Taipans
Adelaide Arena
Tip-off 7:30pm (local)
NBL.tv 8:00pm AEDST

In the second leg of their double, the Taipans face the Adelaide 36ers in what will be a blackout at Adelaide Arena. The 36ers will suit up in black uniforms with fans encouraged to also wear black.

The 36ers will be looking to bounce back after their loss to the Sydney Kings in Round 15, they will be without young gun Jason Cadee who broke his finger during training.

The Taipans road trip couldn’t get much worse, after playing the first placed team they now encounter number two, but this could be just the test that they need and should they emerge victorious in both, they could be considered a legitimate threat if they make the finals.
 
 
SUNDAY
February 2, 2014

Melbourne Tigers v Perth Wildcats
Hisense Arena
Tip-off 2:00pm (local)
Channel 10 2:00pm nationally – Live in NSW and VIC

The rematch. After taking down the ‘Cats last week, the Melbourne Tigers and Perth Wildcats players met at center court with a heated exchange ensuing. The game will be fresh in the minds of players, as will the last-second shot from Mark Worthington that clinched the result.

Chris Goulding will be a marked man after he dropped 23 points in last week’s game with the Tigers defecting to him down the stretch. Perth would have likely put a focus on that during the week following a video session.

While Melbourne escaped with the win, the Wildcats took them out in virtually every statistical category, except for one. Rebounds.

The Tigers only out-rebounded Perth by three, but down the stretch that proved crucial. Both Worthington and Scott Morrison finished with 10 rebounds. The ‘Cats will be missing Matt Knight again so it will be on Tom Jervis, Shawn Redhage and Jesse Wagstaff to step up.