THE Adelaide 36ers were back to their winning ways with three big wins over the Christmas break. But it was the opposite for the Perth Wildcats, who lost two games out of their three games in Rounds 10 and 11. The Sydney Kings are definitely the team to beat at the moment, sitting on top of the ladder.

Adelaide 36ers

Round 10: Defeated Cairns Taipans by five points

Round 11: Defeated Melbourne United by two points

Round 11: Defeated New Zealand Breakers by 11 points

Daniel Johnson was massive in the 36ers’ win over Cairns with 22 points and five rebounds. Majok Deng was also impressive with 17 points, while Demetrius Conger chipped on with 15 of his own. Adelaide ruined Melbourne’s open roof game on Boxing Day with a thrilling two-point win. Big efforts from Ramone Moore (18 points, five rebounds, five assists) and Jacob Wiley (18 points, five rebounds) helped the 36ers get the massive win away from home. Against the Breakers, Daniel Johnson once again starred with 28 points and seven rebounds while Nathan Sobey notched up a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds.  

Brisbane Bullets

Round 10: Defeated Perth Wildcats by seven points

Round 11: Lost to Sydney Kings by seven points

Round 11: Defeated Illawarra Hawks by 26 points

The Bullets secured a massive win over title contenders, Perth in Round 11, and Cameron Gliddon was one of the stars with 24 points. He was complemented by star recruit, Lamar Patterson with 17 points and eight rebounds. Patterson again led the way against the Hawks, with 18 points and six rebounds, while Jason Cadee (11 points) and Mika Vukona (14 points) also impressed. In a tough loss to the Kings, Patterson and Cameron Bairstow each starred with 17 points and eight rebounds.

Cairns Taipans

Round 10: Lost to Sydney Kings by 11 points

Round 10: Lost to Adelaide 36ers by five points

Round 11: Lost to Perth Wildcats by 15 points

The Taipans managed some respectable losing margins over the Christmas break, with the biggest one being 15 points. In a tight loss against the 36ers, Nate Jawai led the way with 18 points and nine rebounds, while Melo Trimble also notched up 18 points. Trimble also impressed against the Kings with 14 points and six assists, while Lucas Walker and Kuany Kuany each notched up 10 points.  Devon Hall was one who impressed against the Wildcats with 12 points, and while Robert Loe didn’t score any points, he led the way on the boards with seven rebounds.

Illawarra Hawks

Round 10: Lost to New Zealand Breakers by 17 points

Round 10: Defeated Perth Wildcats by four points

Round 11: Lost to Brisbane Bullets by 26 points

Jordair Jett continues to shine for the Hawks this season, and it was no different against the Breakers, as he led the way with 16 points for his team. Illawarra’s upset win against the Wildcats was inspired by 19 points from Todd Blanchfield and 21 points from David Andersen. AJ Ogilvy hit the boards hard with eight rebounds. The Hawks didn’t fare so well against the Bullets, but Ogilvy was again strong on the boards with seven rebounds to go with his four points. Youngster, Daniel Grida pitched in with 10 points.

Melbourne United

Round 10: Defeated Sydney Kings by five points

Round 11: Lost to Adelaide 36ers by two points

In front of a record crowd at Qudos Bank Arena, Melbourne United spoiled the party for the high-flying Kings. Chris Goulding was influential with 16 points, while David Barlow was instrumental on the boards, pulling down 11 rebounds to go with his 12 points. United’s party was then spoiled three days later by the 36ers, going down at home in front of a sell-out crowd. Casper Ware led the way for Melbourne with a massive 26 points, while Chris Goulding again notched up 16 points.

New Zealand Breakers

Round 10: Defeated Illawarra Hawks by 17 points

Round 11: Lost to Adelaide 36ers by 11 points

The Breakers recorded a convincing win over the Hawks, and it was thanks to efforts from Shawn Long (26 points, 14 rebounds) and Armani Moore (13 points, seven rebounds). In their loss to the 36ers, Jarrad Weeks impressed with 18 points, while Corey Webster chipped in with 11. Tom Abercrombie managed nine points and two rebounds in the 11-point loss.

Perth Wildcats

Round 10: Lost to Brisbane Bullets by seven points

Round 10: Lost to Illawarra Hawks by four points

Round 11: Defeated Cairns Taipans by 15 points

The Bullets were just too good for the Wildcats in Round 10, but a couple of Perth players still impressed. Bryce Cotton was monstrous with 29 points, three rebounds and three assists, while Nicholas Kay chipped in with 22 points and seven rebounds. In the upset of the round, the Wildcats went down to the Hawks. Despite solid performances from Cotton (21 points) and Terrico White (10 points, seven rebounds), Perth couldn’t get the job done. Despite having no Cotton in the side in Round 11, the Wildcats made light work of the Taipans. White stood up in Cotton’s absence with 22 points and five assists, while Kay impressed with 17 points and seven rebounds.

Sydney Kings

Round 10: Lost to Melbourne United by five points

Round 10: Defeated Cairns Taipans by 11 points

Round 11: Defeated Brisbane Bullets by seven points
The Sydney Kings played in front of a record crowd in Round 10, but couldn’t take home the victory. Despite this, Jerome Randle continued his fine season with 15 points, while Andrew Bogut scored 11 points and pulled down 15 rebounds. The Kings came into their clash against United with some confidence, after a win against the Taipans kick-started their round. Randle was solid with 22 points and seven rebounds, while Brad Newley and Daniel Kickert each chipped in with 13 points. Against the in-form Bullets, Sydney escaped with a win on the back of brilliant games from Jerome Randle (17 points) and Andrew Bogut (14 points, 13 rebounds).