The Pressure Gauge: Round 5

With Round 5 approaching we are seeing a bunch of teams start to head in different directions on the NBL23 ladder.

Across this weekend’s games, it is all set up for revenge for teams who recently lost a matchup they probably should have won.

Do we have a current MVP battle on our hands when the Kings take on the Taipans? Are the Breakers legit? Who should be feeling the heat right now?

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Pressure: High

No matter how things are going for Adelaide, they’ll probably find themselves with a high pressure rating until the end of the season. With their big win over Sydney, the 36ers showed yet another reason why they should be considered one of the main favourites to win it all this season. Every starter chimed in with a strong performance but once again it was led by Craig Randall II who is proving to be one of the most exciting players in the league. Adelaide’s double header against the Breakers and Phoenix will be a great test to see just how locked in this powerhouse roster is. 

Next up: Adelaide v New Zealand - Friday, 7.30pm AEDT (Home). South East Melbourne v Adelaide - Sunday, 4pm AEDT (Away).

Pressure: Extreme

The Bullets finally got in the win column with a dominant performance over the Hawks at the Win Entertainment Center. Whilst there wasn’t a whole lot to really take from the game, the Bullets showed glimpses of the way they played in the preseason that had everyone excited. Their defence looked more locked in, but perhaps more importantly, they began to feed the beast from the opening tip. Baynes was unstoppable down low and seemed to not only score at will, but create plenty of open looks for the rest of his teammates when the defence collapsed. Luckily for the Bullets, they welcome the Hawks back to their home floor and could they build some momentum from these two games?

Next up: Brisbane v Illawarra - Thursday, 7.30pm AEDT (Home).

Pressure: Medium

The Taipans entered the season as the youngest team in the league and one that not many people expected to do much damage. However, over the first month of the season, it hasn’t just been the wins that has been impressive, but how they’re going about it. This roster seems to continue to grow and find confidence in Adam Forde’s system and guys like Shannon Scott and DJ Hogg are beginning to look very comfortable in NBL23. If there was no pressure to succeed at all in this campaign at the beginning, well there is now. They’ve shown they can win some big games away from home, so what’s not to say that this team won’t be playing finals basketball?

Next up: Sydney v Cairns - Saturday, 8pm AEDT (Away). 

Pressure: Extreme

It’s beginning to sound a bit like a broken record, but that injury to Justin Robinson has derailed the Hawks early in the season. They lost their key signing who was meant to orchestrate this entire group and help them build on what was a decent preseason. They’ve done very well to bring in journeymen Peyton Siva, whose arrival should help take pressure off the likes of Tyler Harvey. However, Siva alone won’t solve all their issues right now as they’re averaging a league worst 75.2% points per game. They need to find some more on the offensive end and quickly. If there was ever a round for them to turn things around, it’s this one. They play the two teams in 8th and 9th on the ladder above them and a 2-0 weekend could have them buzzing. 

Next up: Brisbane v Illawarra - Thursday, 7.30pm AEDT (Away). Illawarra v Melbourne United - Saturday, 5.30pm AEDT (Home).

Pressure: Extreme

It’s been a long time since you would see United sitting with a 2-4 record after their first six games, when five of those have been at home. For years they have made John Cain Arena fortress, but their struggles continue to multiply each week. All the talk about imports and production will continue to be magnified, however there’s more than highlight who isn’t getting it done each game. They’re averaging just 76.4 points per game at home, which is far less than seasons past where they’ve put up some big scores at JCA. With all the continuous media buzz and questioning, the spotlight on United becomes brighter and brighter. That can all change if they string a couple of wins together soon. Remember, they head on the road for the New Year because of the Australian Open, so they need to find some win’s and quick. 

Next up: Illawarra v Melbourne United - Saturday, 5.30pm AEDT (Away). Melbourne v Perth Wildcats - Monday, 7.30pm AEDT (Home). 

Pressure: Low

Call it one of those games, but the loss against the Phoenix at home shouldn’t bother the Breaker faithful too much. South East Melbourne finally got their entire roster back and they all caught fire on the same night. Even though the Breakers didn’t play particularly well, they probably would have struggled to win that game regardless, due to Phoenix’s hot shooting. The best part about that result for Mody Maor, was that the team responded with one of the most incredible comebacks in NBL history. After scoring just five points in the opening quarter against Cairns, they clawed their way back to win that game and left far north Queensland full of belief of how much they could achieve in NBL23.

Next up: Adelaide v New Zealand - Friday, 7.30pm AEDT (Away). New Zealand v Tasmania - Sunday, 2pm AEDT (Home).

Pressure: High

One of the worst parts about coming off one of your most embarrassing losses for some time, is having to wait a week for redemption. We have already seen teams like United and New Zealand who suffered big losses, turn it around two days later with a character building win. The Wildcats 31 point loss to Tasmania will sting all week for the team until they hit the floor against the Phoenix, who are now at full strength. If there is something that the Wildcats would be hoping for in terms of change, it would be to find consistency in their big men. Yes, Thomas is coming back off an injury, but Friday night could be a Manek vs Creek matchup, and John Rillie will need to have some tricks up his sleeve.

Next up: Perth v South East Melbourne - Friday, 9.30pm AEDT (Home). Melbourne v Perth Wildcats - Monday, 7.30pm AEDT (Away). 

Pressure: High

Yes, everyone is back for the Phoenix and boy do they look good. However, that doesn’t take the pressure off them now due to their slow start prior to round 4. If anything, it may have doubled down on it. They no longer have any excuses to not show up and play the right way with all the pieces they have because this was how the team was recruited to look. One thing is for certain, it doesn’t matter who is on the floor for the Phoenix, because for them to be a contender, Mitch Creek needs to be their MVP every single night. They head to Perth and then welcome in Adelaide this weekend. Two teams that will really test where they are at defensively.

Next up: Perth v South East Melbourne - Friday, 9.30pm AEDT (Away). South East Melbourne v Adelaide - Sunday, 4pm AEDT (Home).

Pressure: Low

The Kings lost back-to-back games at home for the first time and yet it shouldn’t be particularly alarming. Both those matchups against the Taipans and 36ers are interesting because they are teams that like to play incredibly quick, just like they do. If anything, those losses may actually help strengthen Sydney’s chances of winning it all again. Because now Chase Buford has a good understanding how to switch things up when they come against a team that plays with so much pace like they do. The Kings are still flying and they may well be one of the deepest teams around.

Next up: Sydney v Cairns - Saturday, 8pm AEDT (Home). 

Pressure: Medium

After starring down the barrel of being 0-4, the JackJumpers found their groove and have shaken up their season in emphatic fashion. To be perfectly honest, they were 20 minutes away from being in a big hole to begin NBL23, and now find themselves at 4-3 and their fortress at The Nest is back in business. They’ve had record offensive numbers of late that capped off with their 103 against the Wildcats. Their defence is tough again and Scott Roth is giving us double cobras after wins and suddenly everything feels right again in the apple isle. Can they maintain?

Next up: New Zealand v Tasmania - Sunday, 2pm AEDT (Away).