Hoops Heaven's Basketball Hustle – #NBL24 Episode 18

Plenty to like from #NBL24 Round 15 to dissect on Hoops Heaven Basketball and a lot to look forward to in @NBL Round 16 but Cody Ellis was shocked with what he saw with Kristian Doolittle at Perth Wildcats while Shea Ili continues to struggle with concussion symptoms.

On the #NBL24 floor, Cody Ellis looks at how Sydney Kings were as bad and then as good as can be with Jaylen Adams illustrating that while he isn’t sure New Zealand Breakers or South East Melbourne Phoenix can stay alive in NBL, but he is high on Brisbane Bullets prospects.

As good as Bryce Cotton is for Perth Wildcats, Cody Ellis puts Tai Webster as the man instrumental in their @NBL title charge while heaping praise on Mitch Creek, rollercoaster rides for Tasmania JackJumpers and Cairns Taipans, and we preview #NBL24 Round 16 thanks to TABtouch.

For all the ways to listen click here: https://linktr.ee/basketballhustle

We reflect on the double overtime classic between the Tasmania JackJumpers and Illawarra Hawks where Tasmania almost pulled it out thanks to Milton Doyle but then Tyler Harvey showed his big game nature once more before the Hawks struggled to bounce back two days later.

There was a lot to like from an exciting Round 15 in #NBL24 but one not so positive thing was the concussion suffered by Kristian Doolittle for Perth Wildcats and how long he was allowed to stay on the court. Cody Ellis questions the club's medical staff for not being on to it sooner and was shocked by the lack of action as Shea Ili for Melbourne United continues his struggles to highlight the importance.

What a weekend for the Sydney. They were as bad as they could be on Thursday in Adelaide but then as good as they can be on Sunday to hammer the New Zealand Breakers. Jaylen Adams fully illustrated that and returned to MVP form on Sunday as they put on a stunning shooting display.

The New Zealand Breakers were unlucky to lose to Melbourne United and Zylan Cheatham's brain snap didn't help, but what happened in Sydney two days later might have ended their top six hopes as Cody Ellis reflects on the challenges they continue to face this NBL season.

The Perth Wildcats have the brilliance of Bryce Cotton but Cody Ellis points to the importance of Tai Webster in getting them to the position they are in, and how valuable he is to not only Bryce's form but how the 'Cats are performing overall.

While the Tasmania JackJumpers have lost six of the last eight games, they remain in third position and Cody Ellis expects them to stay there with the improvements they've made defensively with the rim protection of Will Magnay despite their offensive spluttering a little.

The Brisbane Bullets are now on a four-game winning streak with a well balanced team who continue to prove they can win while missing key players, and Cody Ellis expects them to make the top four from here and keep their momentum going.

Focus then turns to the Cairns Taipans and while they are unpredictable and can be their own worst enemy, their best is still exciting and overall their young group might be better than Cody Ellis expected. AK Gak was especially exciting against the Adelaide 36ers with 21 points and 14 rebounds while Bul Kuol's foul troubles continued, Tahjere McCall was brilliant and also finally got a flopping tech.

Cody Ellis also made an observation that Mitch Creek's 36-point performance for the South East Melbourne Phoenix against the Perth Wildcats might have gone a little underappreciated as well.

We then wrap up this week's show with a preview of Round 16 in #NBL24 and there's plenty at stake in every match beginning Wednesday night with the South East Melbourne Phoenix playing Adelaide 36ers with a massive Friday night double and an especially tantalising Sunday double-header to wrap things up.

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