Starting 5: Monster matchups, injury adversity & rising challengers

This massive nine-game slate features superstar duels, another exciting Throwdown and must-win fixtures for sliding teams.

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All the action tips off on Wednesday night with South East Melbourne hosting Illawarra in an Ignite Cup fixture from 7.30pm AEDT.

Pete Hooley takes a look at some of the key storylines ahead of Round 9.

>> Ignite Cup, NBL27: Schedule, tickets, rules & more

The full schedule

South East Melbourne Phoenix v Illawarra Hawks – Wednesday, November 11, 7.30pm AEDT – State Basketball Centre
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Adelaide 36ers v Melbourne United – Thursday, November 12, 7.30pm AEDT – Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Perth Wildcats v Tasmania JackJumpers – Thursday, November 12, 9.30pm AEDT – RAC Arena
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

New Zealand Breakers v Brisbane Bullets – Friday, November 13, 5.30pm AEDT – Spark Arena
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Cairns Taipans v Sydney Kings – Friday, November 13, 7.30pm AEDT – Cairns Convention Centre
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Melbourne United v South East Melbourne Phoenix – Saturday, November 14, 7.30pm AEDT – John Cain Arena
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Perth Wildcats v Illawarra Hawks – Saturday, November 14, 9.30pm AEDT – RAC Arena
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Sydney Kings v New Zealand Breakers – Sunday, November 15, 3pm AEDT – Afterpay Arena
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Brisbane Bullets v Tasmania JackJumpers – Sunday, November 15, 5pm AEDT – Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Talking points

1 - Stars are out

Thursday night shapes up to be an instant classic when Adelaide hosts Melbourne, with both teams coming in full of confidence.

The exciting matchups are everywhere you look, with Bryce Cotton and Cole Anthony running the show as the headline act.

But the support acts might be even more exciting, with Nick Rakocevic and Josh Oduro going head-to-head and Zylan Cheatham locking horns with Luke Travers.

2 - Who responds best?

The Illawarra Hawks looked to have turned a corner last week with back-to-back road wins, before heading to Adelaide and undoing some of that good work.

They’re in the middle of one of the toughest road trips any team will face this season, but Justin Tatum’s side has a big opportunity to get back on track against an inconsistent South East Melbourne.

The Phoenix shot out of the gates in Sydney on Sunday, leading by 21 points, before their shooting dried up and the Kings ran over the top of them. Both teams are desperate for a win. Who wants it more?

3 - Limping to the Break

The Tasmania JackJumpers and New Zealand Breakers are both counting down to the FIBA Break, desperate for time to sort their rosters and get reinforcements back.

Scott Roth in particular might feel like he’s walked under a ladder, with Nick Marshall added to an already lengthy injury list.

The JackJumpers will have just four main rotational players available as they head to Perth, but history tells us you can never write off Tasmania’s fight.

4 - Snakes alive

The hot-and-cold Cairns Taipans will be feeling good after heading to Perth and grabbing a big win on the back of a Jack McVeigh masterclass.

The injury to Jaylin Galloway has forced a shuffle in Adam Forde’s rotation that will take some getting used to, but it has also opened up the offence for McVeigh and Keanu Pinder.

The marquee duo has shown how damaging they can be when they’re both firing, and the Taipans seem to go as far as those two will take them.

5 - All eyes on Perth

In the space of two weeks, the Perth Wildcats have gone from one of the hottest teams in the first month of the season to one of the most disappointing, losing their last four games.

With John Rillie’s side playing 11 of their first 13 games at home, the Wildcats simply must take care of business in front of their home crowd this round.

That said, we saw last year how well Perth played on the road, and a few road trips may only strengthen their cohesion at both ends of the floor.