NBL · Game Review

NBL game reviews – 2026-01-17

NBL Saturday Wrap: Defence, Big Performances and Nail-Biting Finishes

Today’s NBL slate served up a bit of everything for hoops fans and punters alike. From a statement road win by the Cairns Taipans over the New Zealand Breakers, to a tight, grind-it-out victory for the Tasmania JackJumpers over Melbourne United, the numbers tell two very different stories.

In Auckland, Cairns delivered a complete offensive performance in a high-scoring clash, pulling away in the second half to beat the Breakers 104–86. Multiple Taipans stuffed the box score, with strong scoring, rebounding and playmaking spread across the roster.

Down in Tasmania, the JackJumpers edged Melbourne United 79–77 in a game where every possession mattered. It was a contest shaped by balanced scoring, big minutes from the bigs, and some crucial playmaking and defence late in the piece.

Below is a detailed game-by-game breakdown, focusing on scores and standout performances based on today’s official box score data.

New Zealand Breakers vs Cairns Taipans – Taipans Too Sharp in 104–86 Road Win

The Cairns Taipans walked into a tough road environment and walked out with a convincing 104–86 win over the New Zealand Breakers. The Taipans outscored the Breakers in three of the four quarters and gradually stretched the margin as the game wore on.

Scoreboard Summary

The scoring was steady and entertaining from the opening tip:

  • 1st quarter: Breakers 21 – 26 Taipans
  • 2nd quarter: Breakers 30 – 29 Taipans
  • 3rd quarter: Breakers 17 – 25 Taipans
  • 4th quarter: Breakers 18 – 24 Taipans

Cairns led 55–51 at half-time, but the real separation came after the break. The Taipans won the second half 49–35, driven by consistent scoring and a defence that forced mistakes while limiting their own.

Cairns Taipans – Balanced, Efficient and Disciplined

Offensively, the Taipans got production from all over the floor. Four players reached double figures in points, with strong support across the rotation.

  • Sam Mennenga led the way with 28 points, adding 5 rebounds and 1 assist for a 34 PRA (points + rebounds + assists). He was a focal point all night.
  • Izaiah Brockington poured in 24 points, with 3 rebounds and 1 assist (28 PRA) and hit 2 three-pointers, giving Cairns a real perimeter threat.
  • Parker Jackson-Cartwright turned in a classic floor-general performance: 17 points, 10 assists, and no turnovers, for 27 PRA. He also grabbed 0 rebounds but made a huge impact defensively with 5 steals
  • Karim Lopez was enormous on the glass with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists (29 PRA). He also chipped in a steal, underlining how active he was at both ends.
  • Josh “Rob” Baker (listed as Robert Baker) contributed 3 points, 5 rebounds, and 0 assists (8 PRA), and was particularly disruptive on defence with 3 steals.

The Taipans’ defensive discipline really stands out in the numbers:

  • Jackson-Cartwright finished with 5 steals and 0 turnovers, a rare and valuable combination for any guard.
  • Robert Baker added 3 steals, and Karim Lopez another 1 steal, combining with Mennenga and Brockington (1 steal each) to continually pressure the Breakers’ ball-handlers.
  • Turnovers were kept under control: aside from 3 turnovers from Lopez, no Taipan had more than 1 turnover, and several key players – including Jackson-Cartwright, Brockington, Mennenga and Baker – finished with 0 turnovers.

On the glass, Cairns had multiple contributors:

  • Lopez’s 11 rebounds anchored the interior.
  • Mennenga added 5 boards, while Baker, Brockington and Tai Webster each chipped in on the rebounding tally.
  • Josh Bannan is not on this roster – but the rebounding load was clearly shared, with Karim Lopez (13 RA – rebounds + assists) and Jackson-Cartwright (10 RA) impacting possessions both ways.

From an efficiency and turnover standpoint, this was the kind of tidy road performance punters love to see: high PRA totals from multiple key players, solid three-point contributions (notably Brockington and Reuben Te Rangi with 2 threes each, plus Lopez and Jackson-Cartwright adding one apiece), and very few wasted possessions.

New Zealand Breakers – Strong Individual Efforts, Costly Turnovers

The Breakers put up 86 points, with several players filling the stat sheet, but turnovers and a lack of defensive playmaking hurt their chances of staying close in the second half.

  • Mojave King and Admiral Schofield shared top scoring honours with 19 points each. King added 5 rebounds and 4 assists (28 PRA), while Schofield delivered 4 rebounds, 1 assist and a steal (24 PRA).
  • Jack McVeigh was busy all over the floor with 13 points, a massive 8 rebounds, and 8 assists for a team-high 29 PRA. His playmaking and work on the glass kept the Breakers competitive for long stretches.
  • Andrew Andrews chipped in 15 points, 2 rebounds and 5 assists (22 PRA), also hitting 3 threes to provide perimeter scoring.
  • Marcus Lee added 8 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists (14 PRA), while Kyrin Galloway delivered 5 points, 5 rebounds and an assist (11 PRA).

The offensive box score looks respectable, but the turnover column tells a different story:

  • McVeigh finished with 5 turnovers, on top of his strong production.
  • Andrew Andrews had 4 turnovers.
  • Marcus Lee added 3 turnovers.
  • As a group, the Breakers’ main initiators collectively gave Cairns too many extra opportunities, underlined by the “tos + steals + blocks” metric: McVeigh at 6, Andrews at 5 and Lee at 4.

On defence, the Breakers had very few disruptive plays. Across the starters and key rotation pieces, there were:

  • Only 1 steal from Schofield and 1 steal from Marcus Lee.
  • A smattering of blocks – notably 2 blocks from Kody Stattmann and individual efforts from Andrews, McVeigh and Lee – but not enough to swing momentum.

From a betting and analytics angle, the standout takeaway is the discrepancy in on-ball pressure and ball security: Cairns’ main ball-handlers protected the rock and created turnovers, while New Zealand’s key creators were on the wrong side of the turnover ledger.

How the Game Flowed

The Breakers actually edged the second quarter 30–29 to trail by just four at half-time. But after the break, Cairns tightened the screws defensively and lifted their scoring punch. The Taipans won the third quarter by eight (25–17) and then the fourth by six (24–18), reflecting a clinical second half in which their stars – especially Mennenga, Brockington and Jackson-Cartwright – kept the scoreboard ticking while limiting mistakes.

For punters tracking PRA or combo markets, this game was a gold mine: multiple Taipans and Breakers cleared strong combined totals, with several players posting 25+ PRA in a high-tempo, high-scoring matchup.

Tasmania JackJumpers vs Melbourne United – JackJumpers Edge United 79–77 in a Thriller

In contrast to the high-scoring affair in Auckland, the battle between the Tasmania JackJumpers and Melbourne United was a tight, grinding contest decided by just two points. The JackJumpers held on for a 79–77 win, edging United in both halves by a single point.

Scoreboard Summary

The scoreboard never really got away from either side, which made every run and turnover feel crucial:

  • 1st quarter: JackJumpers 23 – 21 United
  • 2nd quarter: JackJumpers 20 – 21 United
  • 3rd quarter: JackJumpers 18 – 17 United
  • 4th quarter: JackJumpers 18 – 18 United

That left Tasmania up 43–42 at half-time and 79–77 at full time. Both teams scored 36 points in the second half, highlighting just how finely balanced the contest remained right to the final buzzer.

Tasmania JackJumpers – Big Man Dominance and Shared Scoring Load

The JackJumpers’ win was built on a combination of strong production from the bigs, steady playmaking, and contributions across the rotation.

  • Jesse Edwards was the standout, finishing with 21 points, 10 rebounds and 0 assists, for a massive 31 PRA and 31 PR (points + rebounds). He also added 2 steals and 2 blocks, while limiting himself to just 1 turnover. That’s the kind of all-round big-man performance that anchors both ends of the floor.
  • Tyson Walker provided a vital scoring punch from the backcourt with 14 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists (25 PRA and 19 PR). He knocked down 2 three-pointers and, despite committing 4 turnovers, his overall impact as a creator was crucial.
  • Milton Doyle delivered a classic all-round effort: 13 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists (20 PRA, 18 PR). He hit 1 three, added 1 block, and turned it over 3 times, but his versatility on both ends remains a key pillar for Tasmania.
  • Chris Goulding contributed 9 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist (11 PRA), highlighted by 3 made threes. His shooting stretched the floor, opening space for Edwards inside.
  • Kyle Bowen chipped in with 7 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist (10 PRA), plus 1 made three, while Tanner Krebs added 8 points, 2 rebounds and 0 assists (10 PRA) with 2 threes.
  • Fabijan Krslovic was another key role player: 5 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist for 11 PRA, plus 1 three, a steal and a block – a real glue-guy performance.

Tasmania also got strong contributions from the bench in less glamorous categories:

  • Dash Daniels posted 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals, staying turnover-free and helping at the defensive end.
  • Finn Delany added 6 rebounds, 1 assist and a point for 7 PRA, providing size and activity on the boards.

Defensively, the JackJumpers used a committee approach:

  • Edwards (2 steals, 2 blocks), Daniels (2 steals), Tanner Krebs (1 steal, 1 block), Fabijan Krslovic (1 steal) and Milton Doyle (1 block) all contributed to disrupting United’s rhythm.
  • On the “tos + steals + blocks” combined metric, Edwards stood out again with 5, highlighting his activity and low mistake rate compared to his impact.

Melbourne United – Deep Production, But Just Short

United may have fallen two points short, but their box score shows a spread of production that will give them plenty to build on.

  • Will Magnay was a force in the frontcourt with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for a strong 26 PRA and 22 PR. He added 3 steals and 1 block, but also committed 3 turnovers, reflecting just how many touches he had.
  • Bryce Hamilton matched Magnay’s scoring with 17 points, along with 3 rebounds and 2 assists (22 PRA, 20 PR). He hit 1 three and logged 2 steals, providing a key perimeter scoring threat.
  • Josh Bannan turned in a big all-round game: 10 points, 12 rebounds and 3 assists for 25 PRA and 22 PR. His dominance on the boards (team-high 12 rebounds) kept Melbourne in the contest.
  • Nick Marshall added 11 points, 6 rebounds and 0 assists (17 PRA, 17 PR), including 2 made threes and 1 block.
  • Tyger Campbell contributed 9 points, 1 rebound and 2 assists (12 PRA, 10 PR), while Ben Ayre chipped in 2 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist (6 PRA).
  • Majok Deng was another important piece off the bench with 8 points, 3 rebounds and 0 assists (11 PRA). He also grabbed 2 steals and was turnover-free.

Statistically, Melbourne’s defence did its part in keeping things tight:

  • Magnay led the way with 3 steals and 1 block, while Deng added 2 steals and Nick Marshall chipped in a block.
  • Hamilton’s 2 steals also helped generate transition opportunities.

But turnovers were again a key storyline:

  • Magnay (3 turnovers) and Ayre (3 turnovers) led in giveaways.
  • Tyger Campbell added 2 turnovers, while Hamilton committed 1.
  • Those errors are reflected in the “tos + steals + blocks” metric, where Magnay posted 7 (3 turnovers + 3 steals + 1 block) and Ayre had 4.

Overall, Melbourne had enough scoring and rebounding to steal this one on the road – five players reached double figures in PRA, with three at 20+ – but a few extra mistakes and some big moments from Edwards and Walker proved the difference.

Game Flow and Betting Angles

From a neutral or betting perspective, this matchup was a classic two-possession game all night:

  • The biggest quarter margin either way was just 2 points.
  • Both teams scored 36 points in the second half, underlining how evenly matched they were in execution and intensity.
  • For PRA and PR props, several players cashed in – particularly Edwards, Walker, Doyle, Magnay, Bannan and Hamilton, all hitting strong combined totals.
  • Three-point markets were also live, with Goulding (3 threes), Walker (2), Krebs (2), Krslovic (1) and Bowen (1) for Tasmania, and Bannan, Hamilton, Marshall, and David Johnson each hitting a triple for United.

In the end, the JackJumpers did just enough on their home floor, with their stars matching Melbourne’s output and the supporting cast contributing just enough on the margins – rebounds, steals and low turnovers – to see it out.

Conclusion: What Today’s Numbers Tell Us – and How to Use Them

Today’s NBL action highlighted two very different ways to win. In New Zealand, the Cairns Taipans showcased how a disciplined, turnover-light, multi-pronged offence can dominate on the road, leaning on big PRA games from Mennenga, Brockington, Jackson-Cartwright and Lopez while winning the second half decisively.

In Tasmania, the JackJumpers showed the value of balance and composure in a tight contest. Edwards’ double-double and Walker’s all-round guard play were the headline acts, but the box score also reveals how key role players like Doyle, Goulding, Bowen and Krslovic all chipped in at crucial moments to edge a very deep Melbourne United outfit.

For anyone taking betting seriously – whether you’re chasing player props, total points, or picking winners – these kinds of numbers are gold. They highlight:

  • Which players consistently fill multiple stat categories (PRA/PR workhorses).
  • Who protects the ball versus who’s prone to turnovers.
  • Where three-point shooting and defensive playmaking (steals and blocks) can swing momentum and value.

Before your next wager, make sure you’re comparing the odds properly and backing your reads with the best numbers available. Use our odds comparison tool to line up prices across the major bookmakers, find the value on sides, totals and player markets, and turn insights like today’s box scores into smarter bets.

Check the latest NBL odds now, compare them in one place, and give yourself an edge before the next tip-off.