THE Sydney Kings are the only team to remain undefeated in season 2019/2020 with South East Melbourne Phoenix suffering their first loss of the year after their dominant start. On the other hand, Melbourne United got on the board with their first win of the season.

New Zealand Breakers (103) defeated Illawarra Hawks (72)

The Breakers got off to a flyer with a 30-18 opening term all but setting the tone for the rest of the match and making it hard for the Hawks to fight back. New Zealand controlled the flow and momentum of the game from the first whistle shutting down the Hawks. It was a battle of potential top NBA draft prospects LaMelo Ball and RJ Hampton with the two going toe to toe throughout the match and showcasing their class. Although neither worried the scoreboard too much they displayed glimpses of brilliance and provided plenty of excitement with Ball racking up 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Sek Henry top scored with 21 points while Corey Webster was equally just as damaging for the Breakers with 17 points. Scotty Hopson also left his mark recording a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. For the Hawks Aaron Brooks caused pain on the scoreboard with 19 points, two rebounds and two assists with teammate Sam Froling also helping out with nine points.

DC Medal: 3 – Sek Henry (NZ), 2 – Scotty Hopson (NZ), 1 – LaMelo Ball (IH)

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Adelaide 36ers (101) defeated Cairns Taipans (97)

It was a close contest with the lead ebbing and flowing throughout the four quarters. The Taipans started off hot posting 30 points but fell away in the second allowing the 36ers to sneak their way back in credit to a 33-point term. A last quarter burst from the Taipans had the 36ers worry with the Taipans well and truly eating into their deficit piling on 28 points compared to 17, but Adelaide stood strong prevailing by a mere four points. Jerome Randle led the way in attack for Adelaide notching up 22 points while both Daniel Johnson (19 points) and Anthony Drmic (13 points) played their part in their sides victory. Eric Griffin secured a double-double for his efforts with 13 points and 10 rebounds with Obiri Kyei making his presence felt off the backboard with eight rebounds for the match. But the Taipans were not to be outclassed with DJ Newbill posting a handy total of 18 points along with Cameron Oliver top scoring credit to his 21 points. Scott Machado also nailed 14 points along with four rebounds and eight assists in his teams’ narrow defeat.

DC Medal: 3 – Cameron Oliver (CT), 2 – Eric Griffin (AD), 1 – Scott Machado (CT)

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Perth Wildcats (110) defeated South East Melbourne Phoenix (79)

Perth ended Phoenix’s unbeaten streak with a convincing performance in front of a home crowd. The Wildcats came out with a point to prove doubling their opponents score in the first quarter and keeping their foot on the throat throughout the match. Although the Phoenix mounted somewhat of a comeback in the third it was not enough to trouble the scoreboard. The shooting was relatively evenly spread across the board for the Wildcats with Terrico White putting up 17 points, Bryce Cotton 16 and Rhys Vague 12. Nick Kay proved to be unstoppable off the backboard with a game-high 13 rebounds with the next closest, South East Melbourne’s Dane Pineau with eight. Phoenix struggled to score with captain Mitch Creek only recording nine points while Kyle Adnam notched up 11 and Jaye Crockett recording the highest of the lot with 12. Overall it was a clinical performance from the reigning champions who simply outclassed the Phoenix at every occasion.

DC Medal: 3 – Bryce Cotton (PW), 2 – Nick Kay (PW), 1 – Terrico White (PW)

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Melbourne United (104) defeated New Zealand Breakers (98)

After a disastrous start to the season United notched up the all important “W” in a tight contest with across the ditch rivals. United showed plenty of grit and determination with the Breakers getting the jump on them early before mounting a timely comeback. It all came down to the last quarter with Melbourne piling on 26 points compared to 17 with New Zealand all but letting the victory slip through their fingers. Melbourne power trio Chris Goulding, Melo Trimble and Shawn Long caused all sorts of headaches on the scoreboard with all three reaching over 20 points. Goulding put out a vintage performance hitting 24 points, Trimble notched up 24 points along with five rebounds and six assists but all eyes were on Long who scored a game-high 27 points and 13 rebounds. Mitch McCarron showed his class with six assists for United meanwhile Webster equalled his efforts for the Breakers with six. Tom Abercrombie was impressive off the boards with eight rebounds while Brandon Ashley proved to be a handful with 24 points and seven rebounds.

DC Medal: 3 – Shawn Long (MU), 2 – Melo Trimble (MU), 1 – Brandon Ashley (NZ)

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Sydney Kings (94) defeated Brisbane Bullets (79)

An impressive second quarter blitz all but handed the Kings the win and kept their unbeaten streak alive. They were simply too good for the Bullets able to ride through the waves of pressure and revert to their structures with Casper Ware leading the way in terms of scoreboard pressure. Ware proved pivotal for the Kings with another 17 points but was ably assisted by the likes of Didi Louzada (14 points) and Shaun Bruce (12 points). Andrew Bogut was up to his usual tricks with 11 rebounds and 12 points. Despite being able to maintain four quarter pressure the Bullets showed they have some serious scoring prowess with Nathan Sobey and Lamar Patterson the only two to score 20 points or more. Sobey top scored with 21 points while Patterson amassed 20 points for the game. Taylor Braun proved he is a force to be reckoned with 13 points and five rebounds credit to his efforts.

DC Medal: 3 – Andrew Bogut (SK), 2 – Casper Ware (SK), 1 – Lamar Patterson (BB)

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South East Melbourne Phoenix (101) defeated Adelaide 36ers (91)

The Phoenix got back on track putting the 36ers away with a 10-point victory in front of their home crowd. The Phoenix were a very different look team compared to their previous outing, owning the court and imposing themselves on at every opportunity. It was neck and neck for large parts of the match with neither side really able to get much separation from the other before South East Melbourne pulled away in the second half. John Roberson proved to be the missing piece and went bang in the clash against the 36ers with 24 points, four rebounds and seven assists. Creek upped the ante from his last outing with 18 points while Ben Madgen slotted 15 points and Adam Gibson nailed 14 points to get their side over the line. For the 36ers Johnson continued his hot form with 20 points but it was the efforts of Ramone Moore that gave them that competitive edge slotting 17 points, five rebounds and three assists. Harry Froling was also important with his 11 points for Adelaide to keep them in it.

DC Medal: 3 – John Robertson (SEM), 2 – Daniel Johnson (AD), 1 – Mitch Creek (SEM)

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Illawarra Hawks (76) defeated by Perth Wildcats (81)

The Wildcats kept the party train running with another hard-fought win while the Hawks failed to see out yet another four quarter performance. Despite being given chances the inexperienced Illawarra side have only managed one win in their seven games. It was both teams second game of the round with Perth coming out the better credit to their clever game play and shooting power with Cotton leading the way with 21 points. Alternatively Tim Coenraad was the most prominent shooter for the Hawks with 18 points and four rebounds. Ball well and truly upped the ante with 16 points, nine rebounds and seven assists while Andrew Ogilvy made his presence felt with nine points and nine rebounds. Damian Martin was crucial for the Wildcats amassing 10 rebounds thanks to his clever positioning and strong body work. Illawarra will also be counting the cost of the loss with Brooks ruled out for the season with a torn Achilles.

DC Medal: 3 – LaMelo Ball (IH), 2 – Bryce Cotton (PW), 1 – Nick Kay (PW)

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Cairns Taipans (90) defeated Melbourne United (85)

Cairns Taipans moved up to fifth with a thrilling five-point win over last year’s grand finalists, Melbourne United last night. After United finally broke its winless drought to start the season, it hoped it could make it a second win on the road, but an exciting Taipans outfit proved too much. Despite trouncing them in the opening term, 31-19, Melbourne could not sustain the fierce pressure as the Taipans went into party mode, cutting the deficit to four by the main break, hitting the front at the last change and eventually getting up by five, 90-85. It was an even contribution from the Taipans, with Nathan Jawai top scoring with 18 points, while Cameron Oliver (17 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals) and Machado (14 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and two steals) were the two most dominant Taipans. Newbill also racked up 16 points, while Majok Deng helped himself to 10 points, five rebounds and three assists. In his first game against his former side, Trimble picked up an equal game-high 21 points also recording four rebounds and three assists. However it was Long who was the dominant player on the court, particularly around the basket, recording a massive 18 rebounds to accompany his 21 points, and producing three blocks. McCarron was also strong again with 17 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals.

DC Medal: 3 – Shawn Long (MU), 2 – Scott Machado (CT), 1 – Cameron Oliver (CT)

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DC Medal Leaderboard:

12 – Bryce Cotton (PW)
11 –
10 – Shawn Long (MU)
9 – Andrew Bogut (SK), Mitch Creek (SEP)
8 – John Robertson (SEM), LaMelo Ball (IH), Scott Machado (CT)
7 – Jae’sean Tate (SK), Nick Kay (PW), Cameron Oliver (CT)
6 – Lamar Patterson (BB), Daniel Johnson (AD)
5 – Aaron Brooks (IL), Scotty Hopson (NZ), Eric Griffin (AD), Melo Trimble (MU), Casper Ware (SK)
4 –
3 – Nathan Sobey (BB), Brad Newley (SK), AJ Ogilvy (IL), Sek Henry (NZ)
2 – Matt Hodgson (BB), Dario Hunt (PW), Terrico White (PW)
1 – DJ. Newbill (IL), Majok Deng (CT), Dane Pineau (SEM), Brandon Ashley (NZ)