Stat Chat: Round 15 (What's Hot & What's Not)

Statistics ... whether you love them or hate them, stats play a huge part in sport.

Whether it's when recruiting a player, how teams prepare, how a starting five is setup, or just about any facet of the game, numbers are crunched and relied upon as fact. 

This year, 2018 NBL Champion and expert commentator Pete Hooley will be our resident stats man on NBL.com.au, providing a rundown of all the key numbers from the weekend's games. 

Keep an eye out after every round for the latest edition of 'Stat Chat'. 

What’s Hot – 10

There aren't whole lot of positives to come out of a tough weekend for Adelaide, but their superstar big man Robert Franks was outstanding shooting the rock. Franks hit 10 threes across the two games for Adelaide and, in fact, was the only 36er to make a three in their loss to Perth. Whilst the Wildcats were making it rain from outside, Adelaide couldn’t buy one outside of Franks.

What’s Not – 8

With two losses in the round, Adelaide have sunk to eighth on the ladder and are currently on the outside looking in at the postseason. The 36ers still have two games left against Melbourne which could prove to be the deciding factor in whether they make the play-in tournament or not.

Robert Franks.

What’s Hot – 16.5

For a team that has been bleeding points for nearly the entire season the second and fourth quarters were a big highlight defensively for Brisbane. The Bullets allowed an average of just 16.5 points in those quarters, which ultimately had them in the box seat to break their losing streak. In the words of Harry Froling, the Bullets are here to “ruin other teams seasons,” and they may have done that to the Phoenix.

What’s Not – 49

It was a long round for the Bullets, which unfortunately means that what’s not hot for them is an easy one. Yes, they played against the best team in the competition, but Brisbane losing by 49 points on their home floor was extremely tough to see. They only scored 67 points themselves which isn’t enough to get a win in the NBL, but neither is allowing 116.

Harry Froling.

What’s Hot – 6

What an unbelievable ride the Taipans are on after winning their last six games and continuing to find a way to get it done without their MVP in Keanu Pinder. Their clash with the Breakers was set up as one of the most important games of the season with the battle for second spot on the line, but Cairns went across to New Zealand and just found a way to get it done. That win has all but guaranteed them a semi-final appearance. What a remarkable season so far from the Snakes.

What’s Not – 6

It's a bit of a broken record in what’s not hot for Cairns right now, but as good as their win streak has been it’s also a concern that their superstar Pinder has missed the six games as well. It’ll take time for him to find his feet once again, which is why it is so important to get him back and rolling well before finals begin.

Keanu Pinder.

What’s Hot – 5

They unfortunately didn’t get the reward for their effort but for the bottom team on the ladder to show the spirit and fight they did in Round 15 was great to see. The Hawks played the top two teams in the competition and went down by five points in each game, which only blew out in the end because of free-throws.

What’s Not – 1

In both the games mentioned above the Hawks were one play away from taking the lead in the final seconds, which could have really made things interesting. Against the Taipans, they gave up an offensive rebound on a missed free-throw which ended any hope of sneaking out a win. Then against the Kings it was a missed layup by Tyler Harvey which was as good of a look as they could have hoped for.

Tyler Harvey.

What’s Hot – 17

Melbourne United just keep on winning and currently find themselves inside the top six. Across both games in the round, United averaged 17 assists to showcase their new free flowing and unselfish offensive game style. With multiple contributors on the offensive end this United team looks like one that you do not want to play in a single elimination post season game. 

What’s Not – 19

Without Isaac Humphries, United’s big man depth has been challenged. Whilst they still find ways to get the win, allowing 19 offensive rebounds to the Bullets is something that will frustrate Dean Vickerman. Marcus Lee has been a revelation to this team, but he will need guys like Mason Peatling and David Okwera to help him clean up the glass without his fellow centre healthy.

David Okwera.

What’s Hot – 29

No Barry Brown Jr means that someone else must stand up offensively and take control and in a tough loss to Cairns, that man was Will McDowell-White. Usually a facilitator, McDowell-White dropped a career best 29 points, which included seven threes, and nearly dragged his team over the line.

What’s Not – 3

A three-game losing streak at a horrible time for the Breakers now has their hopes to of finishing in second spot looking slim. They have still played less games than anyone else in the competition, but New Zealand need to get back to the identity that made them so tough to begin the season.

Will McDowell-White.

What’s Hot – 24

They were finally at full strength and whilst they couldn’t get it done, the 24 offensive rebounds was one positive that the Phoenix could take out of a disappointing loss to Brisbane. If the team can collectively show that effort on the glass they put themselves in a great position to get extra chances to score. Unfortunately, they just couldn’t capitalize on them on the night and shot just 16.7% from deep.

What’s Not – 7

Similarly to Adelaide, a team that was once picked to contend for the title finds itself on the outside looking in with three rounds to go. The Phoenix sit seventh on the table and play Tasmania, Perth, Cairns and Sydney to round out their season. So that’s two games against teams desperate to keep their spot in the play-in tournament and the top two in the league.

Kyle Adnam.

What’s Hot – 55.6

No roof, no problem for Perth. The Wildcats put on a show for the sold out crowd in the jungle and shot lights out from beyond the arc. Perth hit 15 threes at 55.6% and never looked worried with what Adelaide was doing in this game. Perth have a very tough run home, but if they shoot that well again they’ll be finding themselves in the postseason.

What’s Not – 9

The game was over early against Adelaide, but John Rillie wouldn’t have been overly impressed with the way they ended. In the fourth quarter Perth had nine turnovers which equated to 34 points from Adelaide in the final ten minutes.

What’s Hot – 116

In Round 14 the Kings averaged 113 points a game, and they followed it up with putting up 116 on Brisbane to begin Round 15. It was an incredible offensive display as they shot 55% from the field and 96% from the free-throw line. The Kings are rolling and have officially clinched a finals berth and most likely top spot on the table.

What’s Not - 17

They were made to fight for it by the Hawks, but the 17 turnovers from Sydney didn’t do themselves any favours in this rivalry clash. The Kings are coasting through the league right now and whilst they didn’t lose this game, maybe it was the type of performance that will help them lock back in. Either way, they’re the title favourites as it stands and it will take a monstrous performance over a three or five game series to dethrone them. 

Xavier Cooks.

What’s Hot – 100

What a game from Jack McVeigh and Milton Doyle against the 36ers, but what was most impressive was their fourth quarter. When the game was there to be won in the final term McVeigh scored 11 points on 100% from the field and free-throw line, while Doyle had 8 points of his own without missing. It doesn’t get more clutch than that.

What’s Not – 50

Scott Roth has been very vocal about the team staying locked in on the defensive end, so whilst he would be happy with any win right now, allowing the Hawks to shoot 50% from the field would have frustrated him a little. The Hawks have been the worst offensive team in the league, and for them to score 89 points would have left a sour taste in Roth’s mouth.

Jack McVeigh.