THE PENULTIMATE round of the National Basketball League (NBL) came and wet over the weekend, as the season draws to a rapid conclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With finals just around the corner, each game carries even more weight, as sides look to secure a spot in the upcoming postseason. There is no rest for the big guns as some of the competition’s biggest names fired over the weekend in a bid to get their side into contention at the sunset of the fixture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As is the case every week, Rookie Me Central <\/em>will be highlighting the three strongest individual outings, with plenty making quite the impact in their respective outings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cotton was at his absolute best on the weekend, posting the fourth 40+ point performance of the season. Against the Hawks on Friday night, the three-time MVP was just about unstoppable as he produced a much-needed win for the Wildcats. He had a game-high 40 points, a total that was bolstered by shooting 7\/11 from behind the arc and 11\/11 from the charity stripe. Cotton was a man on a mission as Perth broke away from the opposition late in the game behind their star guard’s outstanding play. Cotton was recently announced as a finalist for the Andrew Gaze MVP award for the 2022\/23 season, and his performance on Friday should do those chances no harm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the games of the round saw the Kings hold off a rampaging Phoenix side that was desperate to keep their finals chances alive. One of the biggest factors in Sydney securing a memorable win was the performance of leading MVP candidate Cooks, who produced the first triple-double in the NBL since Joshua Giddey<\/a> in 2021. Against the Phoenix, the star big man had 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, doing a bit of everything and making the right plays to get his side over the line in crunch time. Cooks is established as a gun frontcourt player who can do more than the average big man, and furthered those claims with another stirring performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n It has been a tough season for the 36ers, who have dealt with off-court drama and been unable to perform at the expected level many had for them. However, Monday night’s win over the finals-bound Taipans would have been a nice reward for the work that has been put in. Cleveland was at the forefront of the action on both ends of the court in the three-point win, posting 27 points, seven rebounds and a pair of steals as he led from the front to keep his side a nose in front of Cairns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\nBryce Cotton<\/a> – Perth Wildcats<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Xavier Cooks<\/a> – Sydney Kings<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Antonius Cleveland<\/a> – Adelaide 36ers<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n