NBL 2022: Round 8 preview, Saturday double-header, Adelaide 36ers vs Melbourne United, Illawarra Hawks vs Perth Wildcats, how to watch, Kayo

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The NBL is back in full swing and several leading teams will put their title credentials to the test in some mouth-watering games in Round 8.

The NBL season is back in full swing and there are some mouth-watering match-ups to look forward to in Round 8, which stretches from this weekend through to Wednesday.

The round is headlined by Saturday’s double-header featuring four in-form teams, including three occupying the top three spots on the ladder.

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At 5.30pm (AEDT), the resurgent Adelaide 36ers take on the table-topping Melbourne United, who are coming off six straight wins and are in red-hot form.

The clash will see 36ers star Mitch McCarron go up against his former team for the first time since he moved to Adelaide after winning the NBL title with United last season.

The 36ers have shown promising signs lately and Melbourne coach Dean Vickerman knows shutting down his old charge McCarron will be crucial if United is to continue its winning streak.

“We are going to try and make him as uncomfortable as possible,” Vickerman said.

“He is certainly a major area of focus for us defensively. It is a good match-up. (Matthew Dellavedova) will go (to him) … Shea Ili, Caleb (Agada), we have multiple people to throw at him.”

McCarron holds no ill feeling towards his old team but will be intent on making a statement against United.

“I mean for me it doesn’t really matter who it is we’re playing at this point,” McCarron said.

“Obviously I’ve got a lot of great relationship back at United and I had an incredible three years there, and it will be great to see those guys and how they’ve progressed with their lives as well and to have those chats.

“But at the end of the day, whoever comes into our gym we are trying to get a win. It happens to be Melbourne United and they are on a roll winning six in-a-row now so we have to be ready and I’m looking forward to a great game.”

The second of Saturday’s games (at 8pm AEDT) will see the Perth Wildcats go up against the Illawarra Hawks in a battle between two teams who will be genuine contenders for the NBL championship come season’s end.

A jam-packed Round 8 got underway on Friday night, with the Sydney Kings’ woes continuing against the Brisbane Bullets.

After trailing by 19 points, the Bullets mounted a sensational comeback to pull off a 96-87 win, continuing the Kings’ trend of giving up leads in the fourth quarter.

The Kings will get a chance to redeem themselves when they face the Bullets in a rematch at home on Sunday at 1pm (AEDT).

It will be a busy week for the Bullets, who play three games in Round 8, which wraps up with a Bullets-United clash on Australia Day.

The other Sunday afternoon game will see the Tasmania JackJumpers play the South East Melbourne Phoenix, before Round 8 wraps up next week with a game to be held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Round 8 NBL matches (all times AEDT)

Friday: Brisbane Bullets def. Sydney Kings 96-87.

Saturday Jan 22: Adelaide 36ers vs Melbourne United — 5.30pm

Saturday Jan 22: Perth Wildcats vs Illawarra Hawks — 8pm

Sunday Jan 23: Sydney Kings vs Brisbane Bullets — 1pm

Sunday Jan 23: Tasmania JackJumpers vs South East Melbourne Phoenix — 3pm

Monday Jan 24: Illawarra Hawks vs Adelaide 36ers — 7.30pm

Tuesday Jan 25: South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Cairns Taipans — 7.30pm

Wednesday Jan 26: Brisbane Bullets vs Melbourne United — 3pm

Originally published as NBL Round 8 preview: Blockbuster double-header featuring title contenders



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