BNL Round 6: Marlins defeat Magic

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Magic (3-1) in Johannesburg on Thursday night. Hosts were rolled over by third ranked Marlins (3-1) 79-46. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Magic. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Marlins held Magic to an opponent 23.2 percent shooting from the field compared to 43.1 percent accuracy of the winners. Marlins forced 19 Magic turnovers and outrebounded them 50-36 including a 39-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was a good game for point guard Sibusiso Cele (175) who led his team to a victory with 25 points and 4 assists. Swingman Mfanafuthi Ntombela (191) contributed with 11 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Lebogang Bassie (192-1989) replied with 8 points and 8 rebounds for Magic. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Marlins have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Egoli Magic and M.Rhinos. Marlins is looking forward to face Eagles (#6) in Potchefstroom in the next round. Magic will play on the road against the league's leader Mountaineers (#1) in Cape and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An interesting game for Magic (3-1) which hosted in Johannesburg 4th ranked Pride (2-3). First ranked Magic had an easy win 83-61. Cameroonian swingman Dylan Lele (193-1997) scored 31 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 steals to lead the charge for the winners and Nkosinathi Festile chipped in 14 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was forward Panti Kalubi with 15 points and 7 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Magic have a solid three-game winning streak. Despite that victory Magic went down to second position due to points difference, which they share with KZ Marlins and M.Rhinos. Pride at the other side keeps the fourth place with three games lost. Magic will play against league's leader Mountaineers in Cape in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Pride will have a break next round.
Bottom-ranked Warriors is still unable to win any game. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they lost on the road their third consecutive match to second ranked Rhinos (3-1) 81-76 on Thursday evening. Ludwig Gerdes notched a double-double by scoring 19 points, 11 rebounds and 5 blocks to lead the effort. Even a double-double of 20 points and 13 rebounds by Prince Dube did not help to save the game for Warriors. Rhinos maintains second position with 3-1 record behind leader WC Mountaineers, which they share with KZ Marlins and Egoli Magic. Loser Warriors still closes the standings with three games lost. Rhinos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Warriors will play against Panthers (#3) and hope to get finally their first victory.

Egoli Magic - L.Pride 83-61

An interesting game for Magic (3-1) which hosted in Johannesburg 4th ranked Pride (2-3). First ranked Magic had an easy win 83-61. Magic forced 21 Pride turnovers. Cameroonian swingman Dylan Lele (193-1997) scored 31 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 steals to lead the charge for the winners and the former international point guard Nkosinathi Festile (175-1993) chipped in 14 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was forward Panti Kalubi with 15 points and 7 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) and Damien Kasongo (-1997) scored 14 points and 7 rebounds. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Magic have a solid three-game winning streak. Despite that victory Magic went down to second position due to points difference, which they share with KZ Marlins and M.Rhinos. Pride at the other side keeps the fourth place with three games lost. Magic will play against league's leader Mountaineers in Cape in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Pride will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Egoli Magic: L.Dylan 31+8reb+4ast, N.Festile 14+5reb+2ast, M.Thibi 12+5reb+2ast, L.Richard 8+3reb+1ast, M.Kwezi 6+1reb, L.Bassie 6+2reb+1ast
L.Pride: K.Panti 15+7reb, K.Damien 14+7reb, L.Makinta 6+6reb, J.Malahlela 6+8reb+1ast, S.Vlademir 5+4reb, S.Nkateko 5

M.Rhinos - FS Warriors 81-76

Bottom-ranked Warriors is still unable to win any game. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they lost on the road their third consecutive match to second ranked Rhinos (3-1) 81-76 on Thursday evening. Rhinos forced 21 Warriors turnovers. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Rhinos made 7 blocks. Ludwig Gerdes (191-1994) notched a double-double by scoring 19 points, 11 rebounds and 5 blocks to lead the effort and forward Nathan Kayinda supported him with 18 points and 5 rebounds. Four Rhinos players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 20 points and 13 rebounds by Prince Dube did not help to save the game for Warriors. Center Khotso Mahloane (199-1992) added 16 points and 16 rebounds. Rhinos maintains second position with 3-1 record behind leader WC Mountaineers, which they share with KZ Marlins and Egoli Magic. Loser Warriors still closes the standings with three games lost. Rhinos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Warriors will play against Panthers (#3) and hope to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
M.Rhinos: L.Gerdes 19+11reb+2ast, K.Nathan 18+5reb+3ast, T.Joshua 16+6reb+1ast, M.Balela 12+7reb, N.Tebogo 4+3reb+3ast, K.Thandokuhle 4+3reb+3ast
FS Warriors: D.Prince 20+13reb+2ast, K.Mahloane 16+16reb+2ast, J.Thato 9+1ast, V.Nkazimulo 9+1reb, G.Thabo 7+1reb+3ast, G.Elias 5+7reb+2ast

Egoli Magic - KZ Marlins 46-79

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Magic (3-1) in Johannesburg on Thursday night. Hosts were rolled over by third ranked Marlins (3-1) 79-46. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Magic. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Marlins held Magic to an opponent 23.2 percent shooting from the field compared to 43.1 percent accuracy of the winners. Marlins forced 19 Magic turnovers and outrebounded them 50-36 including a 39-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was a good game for point guard Sibusiso Cele (175) who led his team to a victory with 25 points and 4 assists. Swingman Mfanafuthi Ntombela (191) contributed with 11 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Lebogang Bassie (192-1989) replied with 8 points and 8 rebounds and Zambian Richard Lubisi (188-1995) added 9 points in the effort for Magic. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Marlins have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Egoli Magic and M.Rhinos. Marlins is looking forward to face Eagles (#6) in Potchefstroom in the next round. Magic will play on the road against the league's leader Mountaineers (#1) in Cape and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
KZ Marlins: S.Cele 25+3reb+4ast, M.Ntombela 11+8reb+2ast, M.Jacques 9+1reb+2ast, B.Nsele 7+9reb+2ast, D.Vuyo 7+2reb, M.Egide 6+5reb
Egoli Magic: L.Richard 9+3reb+1ast, B.Lesego 8+5reb, L.Bassie 8+8reb+1ast, M.Mthokozisi 5+5reb+1ast, L.Dylan 5+5reb+2ast, M.Misava 4+1reb



Tags : SIBUSISO CELE, KWA-ZULU MARLINS, SOUTH AFRICAN BASKETBALL