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Cairns and imports grab NBL top billing

12th October, 2014
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Spectacular performances by new imports Scottie Wilbekin and Josh Childress and first-up losses for last season’s grand finalists highlighted an eventful opening round of the National Basketball League.

While 391-game NBA player Childress starred with a 26-point haul in Sydney’s 86-83 home win over Wollongong, it was Wilbekin and his Cairns team who earned top billing, notching road wins in Adelaide and Melbourne.

American college star Wilbekin scored 23 points – 14 of them in the fourth quarter – in Friday’s 97-87 victory over last season’s losing grand finalist Adelaide.

He backed up with 27 on Sunday in a 89-61 demolition of the rebranded Melbourne United franchise.

Down by one at quarter time, Cairns outscored United 54-27 across the two middle quarters, as they extended their away winning streak from last season to four matches.

Wilbekin, who enjoyed a stellar college career at the University of Florida, shot over 60 per cent from the field in both Adelaide and Melbourne.

“I’m just trying to come in and play my best and do what my team needs me to do,” Wilbekin told the Ten Network.

Childress scored 18 of Sydney’s 39 first-half points against the Hawks, with co-captain Tom Garlepp notching 10 of his 20 points in the final quarters.

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“I hadn’t played in a real game in a long time. so I’m excited for the year,” said Childress, who shot 69 per cent from the field and added eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks.

Defending champions Perth crashed to an 80-70 home loss to New Zealand Breakers, in front of almost 13,000 fans.

The Breakers’ 2012-13 league MVP and point guard Cedric Jackson made a triumphant return with 22 points after playing in Slovenia last season.

Veteran Shawn Redhage scored 20 and new import and NBA second round draft pick DeAndre Daniels added 19 for the Wildcats, who got within five points after trailing 49-26 at halftime.

The Breakers scored 15 unanswered points in the first quarter and outscored the Wildcats 49-26 in the first half despite missing injured star Thomas Abercrombie and losing Corey Webster with a back problem before halftime.

“It was a pretty poor first half and we dug ourselves too big of a hole,” Wildcats’ coach Trevor Gleeson said.

“New Zealand played well and shot the ball well, and they played more aggressive than we did and we had too many passengers out there tonight.”

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Another new import to shine was Wollongong’s spring-heeled guard Jahii Carson, whose efforts helped cover the loss of injured big men Larry Davidson and David Gruber.

The American scored 20 points, 14 of them in the final quarter of Friday’s 92-83 home win over Townsville and 17 in the loss to Sydney, in which the Hawks led at each of the first two breaks.

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