It doesn't matter if your team is charging or floundering. Benny, Banksy and Buddy – the basketball team – are here to help you with tips to help you recover.
It's the last round of the season! If you are trying to win the league Grand Final or reach the highest possible seeding, these are the players you should consider including in your SuperCoach NBL squad for Round 20.
There are 4 teams with double game rounds. We analyze the expectations and options for each side.
Melbourne United
Opponents
Melbourne United finished the season with a trip north to Cairns followed by a home game against the Illawarra Hawks. Aside from South East Melbourne, the Taipans were the other team to concede huge SuperCoach points recently. This included a huge 229 against Perth last round. The Falcons have been tough. Overall, it is a tough match and an exciting contest.
Peaceful condition
Melbourne United have almost finished first on the NRL ladder, so we naturally have concerns about comfort. However, Brigadier General Vickerman has given us some indications about his plans. In a recent interview, Vickerman stated that they will be playing their key players really good minutes, maybe not until the 30 minute mark but maybe somewhere in the mid 20 to 30. Vickerman noted that since there is a two-week break before the final semifinal series is halted for better Two teams. And they want to get good minutes for everyone in the remaining matches.
Previous games
Luke Travers $357,200 GRD/FWD29.22 (Cairns) 31.7 (Hawkes)
LeLoal Aquil US $358,200 CTR30.17 (Cairns) 15.24 (Hawks)
Matthew Dellavedova $286,300 GRD31.21 (Cairns) DNP (Hawks)
Chris Goulding $218,300 GRD/FWD25.18 (Cairns) 18.36 (Hawks)
Separation
Other concerns aside, no Melbourne United player has played excessive minutes this season. Jo Lual-Acuil sits in the top three on SuperCoach points per minute this season, and Luke Travers is also above the elite mark of one point per minute. JLA's last game came with 42 SuperCoach points from just 27 minutes of play. No United player played more than 29 minutes in the last round. The numbers from previous competitions aren't exciting, but each of these favorites should compete to provide you with 45 SuperCoach points this round assuming they play both matches. This grade would be as elite a grade as anyone could achieve in a single game, so you should consider trading your single-game players for double-round candidates this week. The Melbourne players are certainly options for you, but given Vickerman's comments, you may not want to captain any of them.
Perth Wildcats
Opponents
The Wildcats finished the season on the road against the Hawks and JackJumpers. The JackJumpers are the toughest team to score SuperCoach points against this season, and the Hawks have been a really tough team since Tatum took over.
Peaceful condition
The Wildcats have the top two finishes and will likely be in second place on the ladder. This makes the Wildcats a prime candidate to rest or manage their key players. However, as with Melbourne United, resting players this week will result in a 3-week absence, given the 2-week break is already locked in by the FIBA break and play-in round. I suspect Perth will manage their players' minutes rather than opt to rest them all together. Hopefully we will get an update on their intentions.
Previous games
Bryce Cotton $405,200 $28.21 (Falcons) $38.44 (JJ)
Keanu Binder $326,400 FWD / CTR30,15 (Falcons) 28,38 (JJ's)
Christian Doolittle $289,300FWD14.32 (Falcons) 8.15 (JJ's)
Jordan Asher $233,700 FWD 25.17 (Falcons) 36.17 (JJ's)
Ty Webster $235,400 GRDDNP,17 (Falcons) 0,17 (JJ's)
Alex Sarr $198,900 FWD/CTR 27.6 (Falcons) 25.15 (JJ's)
Separation
The Hawks have been Bryce Cotton's stoppers all season. They send multiple bodies to Bryce every time he gets the ball and have significantly hampered the SuperCoach's scoring in previous matches. Despite this, Price still has the highest average of Perth players against their opponents on this tour at 32.75 on average. Will he rest? This is the question where a correct guess is most likely to win you the SuperCoach People's Championship this season. Pinder appears to be a solid Froling replacement based on these past numbers, especially since Pinder doesn't generally play high minutes. Both Alex Sarr and Jordan Usher are above average against this week's opponents and are also viable targets.
Illawarra Falcons
Opponents
The Hawks finished the season with a home match against Perth and an away match against Melbourne United. Both Perth and Melbourne have been harder than average to score SuperCoach points all season. However, with each of these sides finishing in the top 2 on the NBL ladder, we may not see the typical Perth-Melbourne line-up.
Peaceful condition
The Hawks are in sixth place at the moment but are determined to win both games. Firstly, they still need to secure their position play with wins, and secondly, they will want to finish the season at the highest level possible to ensure as many opportunities to move through the post-season play-in element.
Previous games
Gary Clark $372,600 FWD43.28 (Perth) 39.37 (MIL)
Sam Froling $316,600 FWD/CTR30.15 (Perth) 12.31 (MIL)
Tyler Harvey $284,200GRD36.26 (Perth) 22.15 (MIL)
Justin Robinson $235,700 13.22 (Perth) 25.36 (Melp)
Separation
Gary Clark remains the Hawks' priority. He averages 36.75 against this week's opponents and has been SuperCoach's main run-scorer all season. Froling is weak against this week's opponents, so try to push Clarke if you're choosing between the two. As far as guard options go, both are viable trade targets with Harvey averaging over 30 SuperCoach points against this week's opponents.
Breakers New Zealand
Opponents
The Breakers are having a great home game against the Bullets. They finished their season by traveling to the City of Churches to take on the 36ers.
Peaceful condition
The Breakers have a percentage advantage over the Bullets that would guarantee them a place to play with a victory. In good news for the NBL SuperCoaches, if they lose to the Bullets, they will still have everything to play for in their final match. They also have a shot at fourth place entering the round which means the Crushers will be doing their best.
Previous games
Zylan Cheatham $304,600FWD17.14 (PRS) 28, DNP (36ers)
Jackson Cartwright $350,100 $29.26 (Brees) $22.46 (36ers)
McDowell White $205,200 GRD30,14 (brs) DNP, 26 (36ers)
Rubstavicius $179,700 FWD DNP, 20(Bris) 6,2 (36ers)
Mangok Mathiang US $187,100 FWD/CTR8,9 (pres) 2,9 (36ers)
Separation
Parker Jackson-Cartwright is the top target this week for your SuperCoach team. Although he is not at an amazing level against his upcoming opponents, he was very aggressive in the absence of Anthony Lamb last round. It also doesn't have the threat of convenience that some other options offer. Other players who have had more opportunities with Lamb out are Mathiang and Cheetham. Both are trade targets this week with Zilan at home and Manguk ideally on the bench. In positive news, Will McDowell-White played against United after leaving the previous match with an ankle injury. Despite having 0 SuperCoach last round, Mantas is still a trade target, I just pray he doesn't get into serious trouble this week.
Final summary
Be somewhat cautious when signing United and Perth players this week as they are concerned about rest. Perth also has two really tough encounters. Players from both clubs remain viable options this week as they have the advantage of a double round match (if they play both matches). The Hawks and New Zealand have everything to play for this week and have some great trades in goals. If you are in a league final, be sure to look at your opponent when considering whether to substitute players for the match or vary from their lineups. Going for the captain option on the left side can be a good tactic if you have a worse side on paper as well. good luck! And many thanks from the Blocks Basketball team for reading and listening all year long.
