Round 15 of the NBL belonged to Bryce Cotton and the Perth Wildcats.
Most have Cotton as the MVP frontrunner and he once again proved he has pure ice in his veins with dagger triples against Melbourne United and the New Zealand Breakers.
Elsewhere, South East Melbourne and Illawarra stumbled, while the Sydney Kings continued their march.
The run to the postseason continues to be unpredictable, but you can always rely on Kane Pitman, Peter Hooley and Josh Garlepp to deliver the latest edition of NBL 3x3 on a Wednesday.
Let us know what you think!
Three opinions
Kane Pitman: Ariel Hukporti is coming.
Dean Vickerman's decision to play Hukporti down the stretch is significant for a number of reasons, but more than anything, it highlighted the growth in the 19-year-old's game throughout the season.
Finishing with seven points, four rebounds and three blocks in 15 minutes, the numbers don't jump off the page, but the big man was in everything late, with multiple key blocks and an important bucket in United's furious comeback win.
Foul trouble has been an issue, as has an offensive game that has looked limited in the early portion of the season, but Hukporti is proving he is more than capable of changing the game on both ends of the floor.
Let's not overlook Vickerman trusting the teenager in a marquee matchup over Jo Lual-Acuil, a man who is supposed to be in MVP contention. Hukporti is quickly looming as a championship X-factor for United, with rising draft stock likely to follow if he continues the trend.
Peter Hooley: Let's cut to the chase. Bryce Cotton is undoubtably one of the best players we have seen, and every time he showcases his brilliance, the same conversation arises: Is he the greatest import of all time?
I think it's a very healthy debate to have, because it allows people to become more familiar with the career of those such as Leroy Loggins and his greatness, too. But what we will not be doing -- something I have seen on social media -- is saying he's "the greatest player, not just import, of all time."
Let's not get carried away and pretend like Andrew Gaze didn't put up video game numbers across his entire career. The man averaged 30.9 points per game across 22 seasons at 52% from the field. In the 1987 season, Gaze averaged a lazy 44 points, eight rebounds and six assists per game. Those numbers are astonishing, and so are the shooting clips.
There's no doubt Cotton is one of the best we have ever seen. I look forward to him continuing to add to his ridiculously impressive resume, and I look forward to engaging in the healthy debate of the best import ever. But let's leave Gaze out of it!
Josh Garlepp: A rule change might help the game.
With 42 seconds remaining in Throwdown three, South East Melbourne star Mitch Creek was ejected after adding a technical foul to his unsportsmanlike foul from earlier in the game.
While the referees' decisions were spot on, in the confusion that followed, NBL greats Shane Heal and Andrew Gaze raised an interesting point.
"That's where I don't agree with a tech foul and an unsportsmanlike foul being an ejection," Heal said. "Two techs only... that's an old rule but the game's changed with what's called the unsportsmanlike rule."
The unsportsmanlike foul was changed in 2017. FIBA wanted to reduce fouls used to unfairly prevent an opposition's fast break, regardless of court positioning and severity. The result has been an anecdotal increase in the penalty, but the ejection ruling has remained the same.
The NBL has been a trailblazer in recent years and should consider reviewing the rule this offseason.
Three questions
Which team has the best bench in the NBL?
Kane Pitman: I think Sydney has a reasonable case.
I've been expecting Ian Clark to slide into the starting five at some point, but for now you have the recently acquired import star in the second unit alongside Shaun Bruce and Angus Glover. Tom Vodanovich provides important minutes, while the Maker boys have largely been out of the lineup but can still make an impact down the stretch.
FYI: This 2022 Sydney Kings lineup has BY FAR the best defensive rating of any 5 man combo since https://t.co/o3mwLQIJ8w started tracking lineups. pic.twitter.com/18TGEwZ53c
— andrewbprice (@andrewbprice) March 14, 2022
Importantly, the Kings lose nothing defensively with the reserves on the floor, as Bruce and Glover are in Sydney's best five-man defensive lineup (min 100 possessions) according the Spatial Jam. The Kings are deep.
Peter Hooley: In terms of strictly talent, I still think the South East Melbourne Phoenix have the best bench.
We have highlighted all season about how deep the team is and how, at times, that can be troublesome for Simon Mitchell. Kyle Adnam, Cam Gliddon, Brandon Ashley and Reuben Te Rangi, have all shown their abilities to be game winners. The biggest issue with the bench for the Phoenix, has been foul issues for some, and health for others.
When at full strength, this roster is loaded with talent from top to bottom. They'll have their work cut out for them going forward, though. Everyone knows how important a bench unit is, especially when it comes to the business time of the season.
Josh Garlepp: Melbourne United
Shea Ili highlighted the strength of United's bench against South East Melbourne on the weekend as the Kiwi guard dropped 19 points and made some crucial defensive plays down the stretch.
Since Dean Vickerman's arrival at the club, the side have prided themselves on the strength of their back-up unit, which has been led by Ili for the last three years.
Add in veteran Brad Newley this season, who like Perth's Jesse Wagstaff doesn't make mistakes, and German Next Star Ariel Hukporti backing up MVP frontrunner Jo Lual Acuil, and the group are the most evenly balanced over a full 40 minutes of play.
What has been the moment of the season (thus far)?
Kane Pitman: It might be recency bias, but Bryce Cotton finishing a chaotic overtime period with a game winning triple through contact on Monday had me off the couch at home.
The reaction from Dan Shamir in the background said it all, as his hands went to his head in exasperation as Cotton hit his latest game-winner.
As soon as Cotton grabbed the ball and pushed it up the floor, we all knew what was going to happen. It didn't matter. He did it again.
It was a shame there were no fans in attendance because this was the game of the year, so far.
Peter Hooley: I can't go by Jaylen Adams game tying (and eventually winning) dunk on two Brisbane Bullets.
It was one of the best plays I've ever seen, in terms of what was on the line and just how quickly he detonated.
Speaking to Xavier Cooks after that game, he said he was as surprised as all of us, because Adams is a chronic fast break lay-up guy. That will go down as one of the craziest finishes you'll ever see, and to follow it up with the awareness to not force up a shot on the offensive rebound, showcases how special Adams is.
Josh Garlepp: Scott Roth losing his mind.
After a narrow win against Adelaide in Round 9, their first in a month, Tasmania coach Scott Roth celebrated with fans like he'd just won Wrestlemania.
The official transcript reads, "yes, yes, yes, you, all you, yes, yes" as Roth ran across the court, but what we didn't know at the time was what was building on the Apple Isle.
In one short and interrupted off-season, Roth has somehow instilled a passion in his team that is palpable whether you're in Hobart or watching the big man celebrate from the other side of the planet.
The JackJumpers play incredibly hard and disciplined, and since that win, the team has gone 8-4, knocking off two of the current top three sides and much of that was without centre Will Magnay.
Who wins the Phoenix-Kings match-up?
Kane Pitman: South East Melbourne are stumbling and I expect the Kings to continue their winning streak.
The Phoenix came into NBL22 hoping to improve a shaky defence over their two years of existence, but with the playoffs approaching, only Brisbane, Adelaide and New Zealand are giving up more points per 100 possessions, according to Spatial Jam.
That does not bode well against a Kings unit that is firing on all cylinders behind a scorching run from star point guard Jaylen Adams. On paper, Sydney have too much firepower.
Peter Hooley: The injury news about Ryan Broekhoff is going to not only make this game tough for the Phoenix, but the entire next month.
He hasn't been shooting the lights out, but he has been having a huge impact on games. The Sydney Kings on the other hand are starting to smell blood in the water of NBL22. They know they hold their destiny in their own hands, and if some results go their way, they could even contest for a top two spot. Cooks vs. Creek, Adams vs. Munford, Qi vs. Martin. Sign me up for these fireworks. Sydney by eight.
Josh Garlepp: SEM.
The Kings are rolling, having won seven straight, but with South East Melbourne against the ropes and trying to hold on to their finals position, I'm backing the Phoenix to respond against Sydney.
The New South Welshmen have settled into their roles with Jaylen Adams now the star the team requires for success, but with Xavier Cooks missing last weekend with an ankle injury, I think there's opportunity for an upset in Victoria.
The hosts will need a big game from someone like Cam Gliddon or Kyle Adnam to cover for star Ryan Broekhoff who is out injured. But Cooks is one of the few players that can nullify Mitch Creek and his impact for the Kings on both ends is vital for NBL22, the game hinges on whether or not the big man has fully recovered from the past weekend's sprain.