Hoops Heaven’s Basketball Hustle – #NBL25 Episode 15

Cairns Taipans miracle, Sydney Kings welcome import as fourth quarter specialists/MVP's firing, Josh King perfect for South East Melbourne Phoenix, Adelaide 36ers back it up, NZ Breakers playing for Tacko Fall, Melbourne United woes, TABtouch NBL Preview.

We open up Hoops Heaven's Basketball Hustle by reflecting on the last week with that remarkable Taipans upset over the Hawks, the Breakers impressing missing their MVP candidate, the 36ers backing it up and the Kings standing out in fourth quarters with their new import having now arrived.

We update our awards for NBL25 with Bryce Cotton still leading Simon Mitchell's Sports Card World Player of the Year but Kendric Davis hot on his hammer, and Jaylen Adams, Derrick Walton Jr and Dylan Windler impressing.

Wani Swaka Lo Buluk is still leading Damian Martin's Best Defensive Player award but it was Windler, Marcus Lee and Mojave King in the votes this week.

We break down the Cairns Taipans snapping of their 15-game losing streak in remarkable fashion against the league-leading Hawks on the back of showing great heart with Taran Armstrong and Rob Edwards standing up, and Alex Higgins-Titsha shining.

There's lots to talk about with the Sydney Kings with former MVP's Xavier Cooks and Jaylen Adams in top form, Cam Oliver playing well but in limited minutes and now they bring in Lamonte Turner on the back of two standout fourth quarter performances.

The Adelaide 36ers backed up their win in Sydney by beating Melbourne at home and they loom as a real threat if they can keep the momentum rolling.

Melbourne United is heading in the opposite direction struggling to find that go to scorer and not getting enough defensive stops to help them run, but they can't be written off.

Their crosstown rivals the South East Melbourne Phoenix went 2 of 3 on the road, playing 11 of 12 strong quarters and with Josh King's style perfectly suiting their players, they are also looming as genuine contenders.

The New Zealand Breakers have played their first two games without Parker Jackson-Cartwright and should have had two wins with Matt Mooney and Tacko Fall benefitting from the different game style.

The Perth Wildcats made it four wins from five games in this road stretch with another 41 points from Bryce Cotton while Dylan Windler is firing in the absence of Kristian Doolittle.

We talk about the Summer Shootout and then turn our attention to the TABtouch Preview for Round 16 highlighted by Melbourne United v Sydney Kings on Thursday, Tasmania JackJumpers v Adelaide 36ers on Friday, and then the 36ers v Illawarra Hawks on Monday.

All made possible thanks to the support of Hoops Heaven (www.hoopsheaven.com.au) and TABtouch (www.tabtouch.com.au).