Every Game In Focus (Round 4, NBL25)

Every week of the Hungry Jack's NBL25 Season, we'll be previewing the big games, the big names and all the key talking points.

Check out the Round 4 Preview below.

Don't forget, every game of the NBL25 season is live on ESPN via Kayo.

Cairns v Perth

When: Thursday, October 10 - 7.30pm AEDT
Where: Cairns Convention Centre
Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo | NZ: ESPN | International
Scores: Download the free NBL App

Watch for: This game is a tale of two teams at two very different places early in the season. The Taipans are flying after their poor opening game and coming in off the back of beating both Tasmania and Melbourne, their confidence will be sky high. While Rob Edwards has dominated headlines with his stellar play, Cairns are getting major contributions from every player as they continue to get wins.

Perth on the other had is in the midst of a tough road trip that has left the team battered and bruised. With Keanu Pinder ruled out of this one, they’ll be hoping to find some contributions from others to pounce on the Snakes.

Players to watch: Rob Edwards is an early watch for the MVP of the league and has been a major reason for Cairns’ three game win streak, but he’s not doing it alone. Taran Armstrong has returned from injury and slotted in seamlessly to the starting lineup, but will miss this weekend with an ankle injury. Combining that guard play with the strong start from Kyrin Galloway, and the Taipans are rolling early.

After one of the quietest games in his career against Melbourne last Friday, Bryce Cotton, did all he could to try and will his team to victory in Tasmania. What he needs right now is help, and that could come from their young guards in Ben Henshall and Elijah Pepper, who have both shown glimpses of their very best.

The stat: Perth has won 13 of its last 15 games against Cairns.

Missing in action: Keanu Pinder has been ruled out with concussion. Dylan Windler and Tai Webster will return for the Wildcats. Tanner Groves (calf) and Armstrong (ankle) will both be missing for the Taipans.

Adelaide vs Sydney

When: Friday, October 11 - 7.30pm AEDT
Where: Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo | NZ: ESPN | International
Scores: Download the free NBL App

Watch for: This game is littered with incredible matchups everywhere and is set to be one of the games of the season so far. Adelaide is coming in off two big wins that kick-started its season and are proving that it has all the right pieces to go a long way this season. The Kings dismantled the Bullets last week and have shown that when they lock in on the defensive end, they may just be unstoppable.

Players to watch: Take your pick of what head-to-head battle excites you in this game. Jaylen Adams vs Kendric Davis, DJ Vasiljevic vs Bul Kuol, Xavier Cooks vs Montrezl Harrell or Cam Oliver vs Isaac Humphries. This game has some of the most exciting talent in the entire league jam packed into it. Each individual in the matchups above have their reasons for putting on a show in this game, but perhaps none more than Vasiljevic against his old team. 

The stat: Dejan Vasiljevic has scored 20+ points in eight of Adelaide's last nine games.

Missing in action: Jarell Martin isn't expected to return until Round 5 due to a foot injury.

Illawarra vs Tasmania

When: Saturday, October 12 - 5.30pm AEDT
Where: WIN Entertainment Centre
Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo | NZ: ESPN | International
Scores: Download the free NBL App

Watch for: The Hawks are looking to bounce back from a shock loss against the 36ers at home, with Justin Tatum preaching that his team must not become complacent. Illawarra quickly embraced its tag as a genuine championship contender after beating Sydney and has shown early in the season that it has all the pieces necessary to do so.

After scoring nine points in the opening quarter on Sunday against Perth, the reigning champions clawed their way back and relied on some more Milton Doyle brilliance to get an overtime win at home. While they continue to look for more offensive contributors, their defence once again proves strong enough to battle out some wins.

Players to watch: It’s early in the season, but right now Trey Kell is making a strong case as an MVP candidate. The league’s leading scorer has been phenomenal for the Hawks and is scoring the ball efficiently and in many ways. With all the other weapons on this Hawks team, Kell is seemingly flying under the radar on opponents’ scouts and is making them pay.

While Doyle will get heavy attention from the Hawks' guards, it will be up to Will Magnay to try and nullify the big men of Illawarra. Magnay is one of the most prolific shot blockers in the entire league and will be hoping to keep the likes of Sam Froling and Darius Days quiet in this one.

The stat: Milton Doyle has career averages of 6.9 assists and 6.4 rebounds per game against Illawarra - his most against any opponent.

Missing in action: Sean Macdonald is due to return in round 13.

South East Melbourne vs Brisbane

When: Saturday, October 12 - 8pm AEDT
Where: WIN Entertainment Centre
Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo | NZ: ESPN | International
Scores: Download the free NBL App

Watch for: One of these teams is going to get their first win of the season in this game, which leaves the other wondering what’s next? With that weighing on both clubs, all eyes will still be on Nathan Sobey in this game, as the former Bullet will have something to prove in this game. Sobey’s exit from Brisbane made headlines with some words from his former coach, which is sure to add some extra motivation for the Phoenix guard.

Brisbane hasn't escaped the heat either, having won just three quarters total through their opening three games. Justin Schueller said in the post-game press conference last round that he’s seeing flashes of what this team can achieve, but has reiterated that they must be consistent.

Players to watch: It will be all about Nathan Sobey in this game, as the pressure continues to mount for the star guard to shine in NBL25. His backcourt partner, Derrick Walton Jr, is also feeling the heat to begin the season and will be looking to put on a show in front of their home fans. New forward, Matt Hurt, has been a fantastic addition for South East Melbourne after the first three weeks.

For Brisbane, once again they will be hoping that James Batemon can get into a groove from here on out. Batemon has averaged just five points through the Bullets first three games and began to show glimpses of his potential in the second half of their loss to Sydney. Could this be the game he breaks out?

The stat: Brisbane has lost each of its last eight games at John Cain Arena. South East Melbourne has lost each of its last eight games.

Missing in action: Rocco Zikarsky is a fitness test after sustaining an injury in Brisbane’s last game.

Sydney vs Cairns

When: Sunday, October 13 - 2.30pm AEDT
Where: Qudos Bank Arena
Watch: Live & free ESPN via Kayo | 10 & 10 Play | NZ: ESPN | International
Scores: Download the free NBL App

Watch for: A battle of two of the fastest paced teams in the league should provide plenty of highlights. With the speed of both teams on the offensive team sure to be exciting to watch, it won’t overshadow how physical their defensive identities are either. Ex-Taipan, Bul Kuol, will get his first look at playing his former team in this game and will be ready for his matchup with Rob Edwards.

Kuol isn’t the only former Taipan in this game, with Cam Oliver set to face his former side and look to make a statement. How does the youth of Adam Forde’s men step up to the challenge against one of the championship favourites.

Players to watch: Bul Kuol openly praises his relationship with Adam Forde and what he has meant to him across his first four years in the NBL. Now, he gets a chance to show why he’s one of the best defenders in the league by trying to slow down Edwards. Edwards has been lighting it up since Round 1, as Cairns' primary offensive option.

The young bigs in Sam Waardenburg and Kyrin Galloway will be looking to continue their hot form this season, both playing at a high level and proving to be vital to their success.

The stat: Edwards is second in the league, scoring at 21.75 points per game.

Missing in action: Taran Armstrong (ankle) and Tanner Groves (calf) will remain sidelined for the Taipans' second game of the round.

Melbourne vs Adelaide

When: Sunday, October 13 - 4.30pm AEDT
Where: John Cain Arena
Watch: Live & free ESPN via Kayo | 10 Bold & 10 Play | NZ: ESPN | International
Scores: Download the free NBL App

Watch for: The round winds up with Melbourne United looking to get their first win on their home floor in front of their fans. After dropping another game to Cairns last weekend, Dean Vickerman’s men have had an entire week to wait for redemption.

This game features the two best shooters in recent NBL history with Chris Goulding and DJ Vasiljevic set to battle it out from beyond the arc. United pride themselves on being one of the best defensive teams in the league, and will be out to slow down a 36ers juggernaut that looks to have found their groove offensively.

Players to watch: After being called out in the media two weeks ago, Kendric Davis responded in Round 3 in emphatic fashion. His reward for that effort is a matchup with arguably the best defender in the league, Shea Ili. That battle will go a long way into deciding this game.

In the battle of the big men, it’s Jack White who has stood out as United’s most consistent player to start the season. He gets a chance to show NBA eyes that he deserves another chance when he takes on Montrezl Harrell.

The stat: Adelaide are giving up the second most points at 96.5 points per game.

Missing in action: Jarell Martin will again be sidelined, with a return in the next fortnight.