The 1997 NBL season was the 19th season of competition since its establishment in 1979. A total of 11 teams contest the league. The Hobart Devils, Geelong Supercats and Gold Coast Rollers did not return this season. The Melbourne Tigers were the champions.
Regular season The 1997 regular season took place over 24 rounds between 11 April 1997 and 29 September 1997.
Round 1
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Round 2
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Round 3
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Round 4
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Round 5
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Round 6
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Round 7
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Round 8
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Round 9
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Round 10
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Round 11
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Round 12
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Round 13
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Round 14
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Round 15
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Round 16
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Round 17
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Round 18
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Round 19
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Round 20
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Round 21
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Round 22
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Round 23
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Round 24
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Ladder This is the ladder at the end of season, before the finals. The top 6 teams qualified for the finals series.
The NBL tie-breaker system as outlined in the NBL Rules and Regulations states that in the case of an identical win–loss record, the results in games played between the teams will determine order of seeding.
1Brisbane Bullets won Head-to-Head (2-1).
2Adelaide 36ers won Head-to-Head (2-1).
3Newcastle Falcons won Head-to-Head (2-1).
Finals
Playoff bracket
Elimination Finals
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Semi-finals
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Grand Final
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1997 NBL statistics leaders + Category Player Team Stat Points per game Andrew Gaze Melbourne Tigers 30.9 Rebounds per game Clarence Tyson Townsville Suns 13.7 Assists per game Darryl McDonald North Melbourne Giants 8.9 Steals per game Darryl McDonald North Melbourne Giants 3.3 Blocks per game Simon Dwight Canberra Cannons 4.3 Free throw percentage Dylan Rigdon Illawarra Hawks 88.2%
NBL awards Most Valuable Player: Andrew Gaze, Melbourne Tigers Most Valuable Player Grand Final: Lanard Copeland, Melbourne Tigers Best Defensive Player: Mike Kelly, South East Melbourne Magic Most Improved Player: Ben Pepper, Newcastle Falcons Rookie of the Year: Matthew Nielsen, Sydney Kings Coach of the Year: Lindsay Gaze, Melbourne Tigers & Brian Goorjian, South East Melbourne Magic
All NBL Team #PlayerTeam PG Derek Rucker Townsville Suns SG Robert Rose Canberra Cannons SF Andrew Gaze Melbourne Tigers PF Clarence Tyson Townsville Suns C Mark Bradtke Melbourne Tigers
References