Preview: New Zealand vs Adelaide - Round 9, NBL24

Thursday, November 30 at 5:30pm AEDT | Wolfbrook Arena

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

The only thing keeping New Zealand off the bottom of the ladder heading into Round 9 is percentage, following the Breakers’ Round 8 defeat to Illawarra.

The Hawks scored the third lowest total – and the lowest winning total – of the season, and held the Breakers to the worst score any team has been held to in NBL24, at 65.

Adelaide guard DJ Vasiljevic labelled Adelaide as “fun” on a recent episode of The Huddle, and cited the lack of expectation on the side as a driver for the 36ers to shake up the competition over the remainder of the season.

Next Star Trentyn Flowers has been projected as the 44th pick in Bleacher Report’s recent mock draft. He proved crucial in the 36ers’ last time out win against the Phoenix and is putting his hand up to be included in CJ Bruton’s starting five.

The Breakers will continue to play without Will McDowell-White and Zylan Cheatham, who are likely to return in Round 12.

New Zealand
69-65 loss to Illawarra
97-92 win over Tasmania
76-94 loss to Perth

Adelaide
96-93 win over South East Melbourne
72-82 loss to Tasmania
88-99 loss to Perth

Mangok Mathiang
When New Zealand signed Mangok Mathiang to be its starting center for NBL24, the club proclaimed him to be better than NBL23 All-NBL Second Team member and Best Defensive Player nominee Dererk Pardon. So far this season that hasn't quite been the case.

Mathiang is averaging 4.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per game this season. Conversely, Pardon averaged 11.8 points and 8.1 rebounds per game in NBL23.

Granted, the Breakers have experienced extensive injury woes this season, but that should have arguably given Mathiang even more opportunity to impress.

Damon Lowery and Derek Rucker both said they’re expecting more from the former Charlotte Hornet, on NBL Now. He’s got the quality to deliver and be a strong center option in the NBL, he just needs to pull his game together. If he can, the Breakers could finally start living up to their potential this season.

“Mangok, if you’re going to be here you’ve got to give us something. Get on the glass, we can’t run offence through you, do something ... give me some more rebounds, give me more blocked shots. I need something from that middle position to make everybody’s life easier.” – Damon Lowery on NBL Now.

Mangok Mathiang.

Trentyn Flowers
With the draft stock in Alex Toohey and Alexandre Sar booming so far this season, Trentyn Flowers’ rise back into draft consideration has gone under the radar, but the former five-star recruit’s ability to push through the early adversity of his time in Adelaide and carve out a much-needed and match-winning niche is slowly beginning to get the recognition it deserves.

The 36ers looked down and out against South East Melbourne in Round 8, but the energy and intensity Flowers brought when injected into proceedings helped lay the groundwork for the one of the greatest comeback wins in recent memory.

Outside of the intangibles he brought to that contest Flowers ended the game with 13 points and nine rebounds – and his currently shooting at over 55 per cent from both the field and three-point range this season.

After looking on the outer in the early stages of the season Flowers is hammering the door down for a consistent starting position, and that’s a testament to the maturity of one of the youngest players in the NBL this season.

“The NBL game has slowed down for Trentyn Flowers ... his shooting stroke is highly convincing, and that combination of 6’8” size, shot-making and athleticism doesn’t require high-level creation of decision-making for an off-ball scoring role.” – Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">High praise from a four-year NBA veteran ??<br><br>Alan Williams knows what NBA quality looks like, and he believes Trentyn Flowers has all the tools to succeed at the highest level ?<br><br>Watch NBL Overtime ?? <a href="https://t.co/kdhKiGFnwL">https://t.co/kdhKiGFnwL</a> <a href="https://t.co/8Ai4ED5GLL">pic.twitter.com/8Ai4ED5GLL</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1727570456205762904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Anthony Lamb vs Jacob Wiley
At the start of the season Parker Jackson-Cartwright was looming as ‘the man’ for New Zealand campaign. As NBL24 has progressed though, that title has slowly been being transferred to former Golden State Warrior, Anthony Lamb.

The only thing that is likely preventing Lamb’s injection into MVP conversations has been the early-season form of his team. Make no mistake though, he’s one of the most talented players in the NBL this season.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Anthony Lamb just cannot miss ?<br><br>Catch the action live on ESPN via Kayo Freebies | 10 Peach and 10 Play | Sky Sports in NZ ? <a href="https://t.co/r3zccB2liN">pic.twitter.com/r3zccB2liN</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1726090414644474215?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He’ll likely match up directly on Adelaide’s Jacob Wiley at the power forward position. Although DJ Vasiljevic has more often than not been the game-winner for the 36ers this season, Wiley is their barometer.

He’s the energy guy, he’s the intensity bringer, and he’s the type of leader by example that can’t help but inspire his teammates.

It’s no coincidence that Adelaide were easily disposed of in the two games he was impacted by severe gastro, and that his 17 points and 14 boards helped power the 36ers to victory over the Phoenix in his first game back at full fitness.

While Wiley’s influence on games is often more intangible than Lamb’s, both could hold the key to unlocking what looms as a must-win game for each side.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">JACOB WILEY THAT&#39;S HOW YOU INSPIRE A TEAM ??<br><br>Catch the action live on ESPN via Kayo Freebies | 10 Peach and 10play ? <a href="https://t.co/KKqJPpc6tf">pic.twitter.com/KKqJPpc6tf</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1710901810624360686?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The away team has won four of the last five games between New Zealand and Adelaide. The only victory in this time period came in Round 7 last season, when a 19-point double double from Dererk Pardon helped lead New Zealand to a six-point win.

Dererk Pardon.

New Zealand
Justinian Jessup – pelvis (TBC)
Mantas Rubstavicius – lower leg (test)
Zylan Cheatham – foot (Round 12)
Will McDowell-White – leg (Round 12)

Adelaide
Trey Kell III - leg (available)