Stat Chat - Round 15, NBL24 (What's hot and what's not)

Statistics ... whether you love them or hate them, stats play a huge part in sport.

Whether it's when recruiting a player, how teams prepare, how a starting five is set up, or just about any facet of the game, numbers are crunched and relied upon as fact. 

This year, 2018 NBL Champion and expert commentator Pete Hooley will once again be our resident stats man on NBL.com.au to provide a rundown of all the key numbers heading into a new round of games.  

Keep an eye out after every round for the latest edition of 'Stat Chat'. 

What’s Hot – 76
In a split round for the 36ers, there was really only one positive stat that stood out - free throw attempts. Across both games, Adelaide went to the line a staggering 76 times, including 46 in the heartbreaking loss to Cairns. It doesn’t matter how or why the 36ers managed to get so many free throws, if you’re getting that many chances at free points, good things usually follow.

What’s Not – 12
It will be a really tough film to swallow when the 36ers go back and look at that last quarter in Cairns. Adelaide was the better team up until that point, but turnovers combined with poor offence led to them scoring just 12 points in the last and allowed Cairns to take control of the game.

Jacob Wiley.

What’s Hot – 5
The Bullets are flying and it’s largely been due to the team effort in supporting superstar guard Nathan Sobey. Across the two wins in Round 15 Brisbane had five different players not named Nathan Sobey score in double figures. It’s an obscure stat, yes, but it goes to show that there a players all up and down this roster who are ready to step up when the team needs them.

What’s Not – 103
The one thing that Justin Schueller will look at from the round and be unhappy with was the defence against the Hawks. Yes they won the game, but the third-best defensively rated team in the league gave up 103 points on their home floor. It wasn’t as if one player hurt them either, it was a lot of easy layups and second chance opportunities that led to the big score from Illawarra.

Nathan Sobey.

What’s Hot – 2
The number two stands out a lot from Cairns' win against Adelaide when you zero in on Tahjere McCall’s big second half and overtime. McCall was the catalyst on the night to get his team a big win. In the second half and overtime McCall had just two turnovers to six assists, a 3-0 ratio. He also had two steals in that time and they were both clutch. He’s the barometer of this team and he showed why in this one.

What’s Not – 3
Three players fouled out on the night for Cairns and whilst there were a few tough calls in there, ultimately players like Bul Kuol and Taran Armstrong have to adjust on the night as they are just too crucial to this team to be sitting down in the clutch moments.

Tahjere McCall.

What’s Hot – 3
What mattered most for the Hawks across the round were the three free throws Tyler Harvey hit to send the gameagainst Tasmania into a second OT. Illawarra nearly threw it all away with 24 seconds remaining in regulation, but Harvey held his nerve numerous times in the clutch moments. None bigger than those three at the line.

What’s Not – 3
Up until this round the Hawks had only given up over 100 points under Justin Tatum once. The double overtime win can be an asterisk, but Illawarra having 110 put on them by Brisbane was uncharacteristic. It’s a big test now for the Hawks to see how they bounce back after that defensive effort.

Tyler Harvey.

What’s Hot – 21
Without their starting point guard and center, United went to regional New Zealand and knocked off a red-hot Breakers. They did it by committee once again and dished out 21 assists on the night. Matthew Dellavedova led the way with 10 assists and just one turnover, but everyone chimed in to help them come away with a big win.

What’s Not – 12
It didn't end up costing them the win, but United gave up 12 offensive rebounds to New Zealand and a lot of those led to easy second chance points. Even without Jo Lual-Acuil Jr, there are plenty of players on that team that are capable of controlling the glass at both ends.

Matthew Dellavedova.

What’s Hot – 5
Five players in double figure scoring against United would have had Mody Maor pleased. Yes, it was a tough loss, but with how good this team has looked since getting healthy, it could go down as one of the “biggest what ifs?” in recent NBL memory. The Breakers aren't out of it by any means, but the loss to Sydney after the narrow defeat to United game didn’t help their cause.

What’s Not – 6
Speaking of that loss to Sydney, it all looked over at quarter time after Sydney hit six threes in the first 10 minutes. It was understandable that New Zealand came out flat, considering the travel and tough loss they had less than 48 hours ago, but Sydney jumped them early and never looked back,

Zylan Cheatham.

What’s Hot – 20
Tai Webster needs a lot more credit for this Perth turnaround and how he has controlled this ship. Webster had 20 points in the win over South East Melbourne, but it was the way he orchestrated the offence that needs to be praised. The Phoenix were showing no respect to Webster's offensive game, so he had to find a way to be productive. He did that, and more.

What’s Not – 9
It wasn’t entirely Perth’s fault but the Kristian Doolittle incident should be all that’s needed to change things regarding head knocks going forward. After Doolittle got knocked by Mitch Creek, he spent nine minutes out on the court before eventually being taken out and ruled out for rest of the game. There has to be a way that someone can inform a doctor of incidents like this, like we see in any other contact sport.

Tai Webster.

What’s Hot – 12
Mitch Creek was a beast for an undermanned Phoenix in Perth. His 36 points came on 20 attempts, but the 12 made field goals was the most impressive thing for me. Creek started the game 0/6 and still went on to have a super efficient night. That kind of production is why he’s one of the best players in the league.

What’s Not – 146
The Phoenix have been dealt a horrible hand once again in terms of injuries. Unfortunately, that has led to them losing five of their last six games by a combined 146 points. It looks bleak when you look at it from that angle, but with some big games left, they have a chance to at least end the season on a positive note.

Mitch Creek.

What’s Hot – 3
On Sunday the Kings showcased a style of play that many of us expected to have seen a whole lot more in NBL24. One stark difference I noticed was that they actually had three fewer field goal attempts than New Zealand. Something that has really hurt them in recent weeks is their one or no pass offence that results in a quick/poor shot. The Kings played fast when they got turnovers and then slowed it right down when it was time to execute.

What’s Not – 54
Adelaide had 54 rebounds against Sydney as they completely controlled the glass and the game. Considering Sydney have Jordan Hunter, Jonah Bolden and even Denzel Valentine who have had big rebounding games, they just got beat up on that side of the ball. They turned it all around in Sydney three days later and hopefully set the blueprint going forward.

Denzel Valentine.

What’s Hot – 8
Tasmania almost pulled off a miracle in the Apple Isle against Illawarra. They came from eight points down with just 24 seconds remaining in the game to somehow force overtime. They hit three big threes and forced multiple turnovers, and even then they somehow gave themselves multiple chances to win before losing in following a second OT period.

What’s Not – 2
The JackJumpers have won just two of their last eight games, and their most recent losses have both been in the clutch moments. This isn’t the same team as last year but they do need to find a formula that can step up with the game on the line and get the job done.  

Jordon Crawford.