Preview: New Zealand vs Sydney - Round 12, NBL24

Thursday, December 21, 2023

The Kings defeated the Breakers in this season's first Championship Series rematch. Can New Zealand get revenge?

Friday, December 22 at 5:30pm AEDT | Spark Arena

Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports | Sky Sport in NZ | International viewership details
Box scores: Download the free NBL App

Will McDowell-White has been named to return from a leg injury aganist the Kings.

Mody Maor said the side shouldn’t need any more motivation than it already has following last week's win over Cairns, but praised the more complete performance of the Breakers.

Zylan Cheatham returned to the active roster ahead of the clash but didn’t hit the floor.

Kings coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah praised the impact of added rest for his side ahead of its Round 10 victory over Tasmania.

Former King Brad Rosen believes Jaylin Galloway can be the head of the snake for Sydney’s defence – a defence which is ranked bottom of the NBL heading into Round 12.

Parker Jackson-Cartwright had an opportunity to win the game for New Zealand last time these two teams met, but lock down defence from Shaun Bruce prevented the import from getting a quality shot away.

New Zealand
111-82 win over Cairns
80-97 loss to Tasmania
90-79 loss to South East Melbourne

Sydney
90-82 win over Tasmania
94-104 loss to South East Melbourne
86-83 win over Cairns

Mantas Rubstavicius
It’s been a faltering start to NBL24 for Mantas Rubstavicius, but the Lithuanian Next Star has found fitness and, following his first NBL start last week, he’s found form.

Rubstavicius showcased every aspect of why he’s been an international prospect on NBA radars for the past few years and finished the clash with 21 points and eight rebounds.

He connected with all nine of his free throws and five of his eight field goal attempts to display a shot selectiveness that is mature beyond his years, and he even chipped in with three assists and a steal in the circuit-breaking win for New Zealand.

The Breakers have been smashed by injuries this season, but with the returns of Will McDowell-White and Zylan Cheatham on the horizon they’re close to full fitness.

Regardless of who hits the court though, Rubstavicius is rapidly looming as a key piece in any post-season push Mody Maor’s men make – so can he back up his career-best performance against the reigning champs?

“This kid, eight rebounds, nine free throws, aggressive against the press – not what you see from kids usually. He played big.” – Mody Maor following the win over Cairns.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mantas Rubstavicius starred in his first NBL start ??<br><br>The Lithuanian Next Star put up an NBL career-high 21 points in the <a href="https://twitter.com/NZBreakers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NZBreakers</a> Round 11 win ?<br><br>Brought to you by <a href="https://twitter.com/HungryJacksAU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HungryJacksAU</a> ? <a href="https://t.co/PoPrRjYAYH">pic.twitter.com/PoPrRjYAYH</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1736607721666052511?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Jaylin Galloway
If there were whispers that Jaylin Galloway needed to be injected into Sydney’s starting lineup ahead of the Kings’ last game against Tasmania, those whispers have now turned to roars following the 20-year-old’s remarkable efforts against the JackJumpers in Round 11.

Galloway has been ramping up his return from a shoulder injury in recent games, but exploded for a career-high 22 points on 8-12 shooting in the eight-point win.

It’s no coincidence that Sydney’s defence has improved since the rising star’s return to the team. Ahead of last week’s clash with Tasmania, Brad Rosen said he believes Galloway could be the head of the snake on the defensive end for Sydney, and re-shape the role played by Justin Simon in last season’s title triumph.

The Kings are 2-1 since Galloway’s return to the side, and New Zealand’s propensity to have one of a handful of players able to get hot and win the game off their own hand means he’ll likely spend time on any or all of Anthony Lamb, Mantas Rubstavicius, or even Parker Jackson-Cartwright.

While his reputation is as a defender first and a rounded offensive threat second, if Galloway can add 20 points again, it would be handy for a Kings side looking for players to step up on both ends.

“We saw it earlier in the season before he did his shoulder, the impact he has on that Sydney Kings lineup. To have him back out there, I think he had a significant role in the defensive resurgence of that Sydney team. He’s got athleticism, he can shoot the ball well enough, he can put it on the deck, he’s that prototypical wing player that really does well in the NBA now.” – Derek Rucker on Moments That Mattered.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A YOUNG KING ?<br><br>22 points on 66% shooting saw Jaylin Galloway achieve his highest scoring NBL game on Sunday arvo against Tassie ? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetItReign?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetItReign</a> <a href="https://t.co/8ltx4HbKnn">pic.twitter.com/8ltx4HbKnn</a></p>— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) <a href="https://twitter.com/SydneyKings/status/1736620613350154359?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Jaylen Adams vs Parker Jackson-Cartwright
There aren’t many players in the NBL that you enter a game hoping to limit rather than stop. Bryce Cotton is the player who immediately comes to mind when considering such high-impact guards, but Jaylen Adams and Parker Jackson-Cartwright aren’t far behind.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"Oh my goodness" ?<br><br>Jaylen Adams took it all around the world on this finish ?<br><br>Catch the action live on ESPN via Kayo ? <a href="https://t.co/RGajRld1MX">pic.twitter.com/RGajRld1MX</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1732696266868400398?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It doesn’t matter if they’re scoring themselves or setting up teammates, both Adams and ‘PJC’ are multi-dimensional offensive threats who will likely see a range of defenders step up to the plate and take them on.

Adams stuffed the stat sheet in the Kings’ last time out win over Tasmania. He had 15 points, 10 assists and five rebounds, and found ways to positively impact Sydney’s offensive game despite shooting 0-5 from three.

Jackson-Cartwright, on the other hand, had 20 points and eight assists in New Zealand’s 29-point beatdown of Cairns.

His role might change slightly if Will McDowell-White makes his return from a leg injury as expected, but both guards will hit this contest in form and hoping to push their cases for an All-NBL spot.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Parker Jackson-Cartwright is FEARLESS in the paint ?<br><br>He has 14 points at the half and is shooting 87% from the field!<br><br>Watch live on ESPN! ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL</a> <a href="https://t.co/PNtTbgKQTT">pic.twitter.com/PNtTbgKQTT</a></p>— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNAusNZ/status/1730126363473179103?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

New Zealand has lost its last four games at Spark Arena, while the Kings have won six of their last seven in the stadium. Championships are built on being able to make your home court a fortress, so can the Breakers get back to winning ways on their own floor?

Tom Abercrombie.