The turns and twists that characterize the tail-head of NBL championships are about to get crazy!

We start with a round-up of 16th-round fixture results highlighting key moments. Of course, we dig deeper to get our readers up to speed with how the hot race to the top is shaping. Our professional and astute evaluation of the Australian Basketball League News goes beyond the comfort of duty to bring you exclusive after-game coach reactions, league standings, highlights of standout players in each round, post-fixture player takes, and many more exciting basketballing news. 

If you have been following our weekly updates, you already know that Melbourne United currently leads the NBL24 league standings with a notable success track record of 72.73% after 22 games.

However, the 19 January, Saturday night game against Tasmania JackJumpers left the title race wide open after the former managed to defeat the latter with an impressive 21 points at Hobart’s MyState Bank Arena. 

Thus, with only 4 rounds of the regular NBL24 season remaining, Melbourne United will have to put up a spirited fight to widen their chances of securing the top 2 slots in the ladder. Interestingly, all the remaining 6 games are against teams fighting nail and tooth for a play-off qualification. 

United’s next game will be at home, Nissan Arena, at 7:30 PM against the Bullets. Their coach Dean Vickerman is hopeful they will have a chance to tighten their first position grip. 

The JackJumpers’ Return To Top Form

Tasmania JackJumpers Jordon Crawford tussles for the ball against United’s Ian Clark during the NBL24 16TH Round match on Friday, Jan 19, at MyState Bank Arena, Hobart Australia,

Tasmania JackJumpers 107-86 win over United on Friday night is a signal they have heeded the coach’s call ‘to rediscover their best basketball in the run to the finals’. 

Jackumpers came to the sold-out MyState Bank Arena as underdogs, having their last two, four of the last five and six of the past eight – but remained in third position.

These disappointing stats had compelled their coach, Scott Roth to sound warning alerts, calling on the players to reclaim their identity if they wanted to achieve anything in NBL24.

Spirited to walk the talk, they took advantage of United’s key missing players (due to injury), Shea Ili and Jo Lual-Acuil. 

United hit the ground running from the first quarter leading 11-1 within the opening 3 minutes thanks to 15 points from Ian Clark and 16 from Chris Goulding. 

However, as things would turn out, JackJumpers found their footing in the game, opening a 24-22 margin at the end of the first quarter. The good run continued to the final whistle. 

Credits to Jordon Crawford who dominated for Tasmania, getting 25 points and 5 assists. Marcus Lee and Will Magnay proved an impressive center-back duo while Jack McVeigh had a night to remember with 23 points. 

Despite the results, Melbourne still remains the championship favourites sitting top of the league standings with a 16-6 record. Nevertheless, their regular championship victory is no longer guaranteed after Perth Wildcat won against Brisbane Bullets, a fixture that we will equally highlight in this article. 

While liking his team’s performance after the game, coach Scott Roth said that their work is there every single day and that the game results are going to be different from game to game. He continued arguing that he would love to say they’re going to steamroll through the rest of the way out there, but the league is just too good to do that!

With the next match scheduled on Friday, Jan 26 against NZ Breakers, their travelling fans are hopeful they will keep up the good run and consolidate the gains toward the spirited fight for the NBL24 championship. 

Dominant Perth Hot On United’s Heels With Six Wins In a Row!

The Sunday, 21 January blockbuster between Sydney Kings and Perth Wildcats was a battle of in-form teams, but as things would turn out, Perth carried the day with a 6-point win, making 6 wins in 6. 

The game marked Wildcats continuing in-form performances. On Friday night they enjoyed a  record-breaking encounter against Brisbane Bullets. Their 118 points score is their biggest so far in the NBL24 season while the impressive margin of 32 points is also their biggest in their campaign to the top. 

Earlier, pundits had predicted a fierce showdown between the two potential MVPs; Jaylen Adams and Bryce Cotton. To everyone’s expectation, they lit up the packed Qudos Bank Arena with each scoring 29 points. 

Cotton inspired Perths to win 104-98 against Bullets with 29 points and 4 steals culminating in their 13th win in 15 games; thus improving them to 15-7 while propelling them to 3 clear wins in the second spot. 

It was a remarkable game for Cotton who achieved the rare milestone of 5,000 NBL points with his parents among the elated fans in the stands. Later, after the game, her Mom, Yvonne was all smiles as she was given the chance to present her magical son with the ball game!

Tai Webster who has been on a tear in the recent games had a wonderful Sunday afternoon. He backed up his 20-point haul in Friday night’s home win over Brisbane with another 16 to go with five assists and three rebounds.

Perth Wildcats Tai Webster lays up the ball during the NBL2023-24 16th round match between Sydney Kings and Perth Wildcats at Qudos Bank Arena, on January 21, 2024, in Sydney, Australia.

Over the past three games he has averaged 18.7 points, 5 assists and 1.7 steals while shooting at 68.6% from the floor, and 41.7% from three.

Jordan Usher equally justified his favourite tag from Coach John Rillie who has now featured him in his starting line-up, two games in a row. He finished with 24 points, including 10 in the third quarter, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds. 

Kristian Doolittle who was returning from a concussion injury also made a significant impact on the game. He hit 7 points and 8 rebounds, including the thrilling game-winning free throws in the final minute after reeling in some important boards. 

Perth’s next game in the 17 round will be against Illawarra Hawks on Thursday, January 25. As usual, Australian Basketball News will be on tabs all night to bring you the latest updates from the fixture as we shift our attention to the charged Perths, who seem determined to edge United from the first spot of the NBL24 standings.