Thursday Night Hoops Blows Open Playoff Race

Has there been one night of NBL23 action that has had such a resounding effect on the playoff race as Thursday’s double-header? The answer is no.

Melbourne United defeated the Breakers in New Zealand to not only continue to build their late run into the top six, but also tighten the race for top two even further. The second game of the night saw the Tasmania JackJumpers gain a tiny amount of breathing room over the chasing pack at the expense of Adelaide.

Melbourne has come from almost nowhere to slam their playoff credentials on the table. With six wins in its last seven games United could just about sneak into the playoffs, yet given their form they could be one of the toughest opponents of the post-season.

<iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/0OC7KrHmLXLLht5Khc61i1?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="152" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe>

Speaking on NBL Today, Adam Gibson says United certainly aren’t out of the race yet.

“I don’t write them off,” he said. “I know a lot of people did and said they can’t make it, but they’re essentially one loss outside the top six.

“Their schedule’s not horrendous. They play Adelaide who they’re fighting for a post with … if they can keep their main guys like She Ili, Goulding, XRM, Marcus Lee [fit and] if they keep winning they’re right there.

“Give them a chance. If you look at the ladder, they’re right there waiting to sneak in.”

If United took a huge leap forward in last night’s action, then the 36ers took an equally large leap back.

Their 16-point loss to Tasmania relegated them to eighth spot on the ladder – although it’s worth remembering they have games in hand on United in seventh and South East Melbourne in sixth.

Robert Franks played something of a lone wolf on offence against the JackJumpers and was the only Adelaide player to hit double-figures in the scoring column.

“He should be the focal point in their offence … Robert Franks is one of the marquee guys and he has to see the ball. He’s a great decision maker,” Gibson said.

“Run it through him. Eventually guys will double-team him because he’s such a great player and he shoots it so well, so everyone else is going to get easy shots.

“He was the sole-survivor down there and that’s not going to win you games – especially against a great team in the JackJumpers.

Melbourne and Adelaide are both next in action on Saturday night.

United travel to Perth to take on the Wildcats while the 36ers head to Brisbane to take on the Bullets.