NBL R2

Lucked out on a couple of close ones last round, not calling it too badly early. In particular 36ers continuing to foul in the last minute when they were down 10+ to lose the under by half wasn't alot of fun.

I didn't think NZ were very impressive last week despite winning by 20. Bruton and Penny combined for 16 out of 20 3s. Apart from that there wasn't alot happening.

That said I still like their chances tonight for a few reasons:

- Melbourne owned them last season, including knocking them out of the playoffs so you would expect them to be motivated for revenge

- Melbourne are way underdone, Worthington is reported to be starting but has yet to play a practice game with his new team. Whereas NZ will be better for the run last week.

- Mackinnon appears fit so getting the 2007 MVP is a major plus, but doesn't cover the loss of Anstey, Barlowe, Ere, Thomas and Hoare. Melbourne do not appear to have alot of quality.

Going with the under. Can't expect NZ to shoot like the did last week, plus they tend to score less on the road. Melbourne don't appear to alot of scoring, especially if Worthington is rusty.

cheers ecoute.

sounds good guys, just looking at the match-ups...whereabouts are the Tigers going to get their points from ? their guards, Corletto, Crosswell & Kendall will need to combine for at least 25-30 if Melbourne stand a chance tonight...we know Mackinnon will get 10-18pts, Worthington about the same, plus factoring in his injury will only make that duty all the more difficult for him. 

 

NZ Breakers

Mins & Pts v Cairns Rd 1 ; 
Tony Ronaldson 24:21 6
Oscar Forman 22:14 4
Storey Awvee 19:02 4
Kirk Penney 34:10 32
Rick Rickert 16:21 6
Corey Webster 0:00 
Thomas Abercrombie 20:18 11
Cj Bruton 26:20 10-11FG 28
Dillon Boucher 21:10 2
Jeremiah Trueman 0:00 
Paul Henare 19:14  2
Alex Pledger 0:00  
* a little light up front, will need to rebound well...

 

Melbourne Tigers ; 
Tim Lang           
Ryan Bathie            
Edin Zunic          
Daniel Johnson            
Boden Westover           
Matt O'Hea          
Tom Greer            
Mark Worthington            
Luke Kendall           
Daryl Corletto          
Nathan Crosswell            
Ben Knight         
Sam Mackinnon     
Chris Anstey   - injured

 

"The Tigers have also added Australian youngster Tim Lang, who just finished his senior US collegiate season with the Stetson Hatters.  He didn’t dominate in college though and averaged a modest 11.2 points and 6.9 rebounds in SEABL for the Kilsyth Cobras after returning to Australia.  At 6-10, he has good size but will need experience. Melbourne also added former Nicholls State University forward Ryan Bathie.   A 6-6 forward who represented Australia at the World University Games, Bathie showed a great scoring touch in college and should be a strong contender for Rookie of the Year. "

 

* interesting stat "Anstey, Ere, Hoare,Thomas and Barlow averaged between them 72.3 points and 33.0 rebounds.  Whether their replacements can come close to generating that sort of massive output remains to be seen, but is doubtful."

 

If the Breakers can shoot around 40-45% plus keep the rebounding (which the Tigers should have the advantage over) numbers about even then i can't see how the Tigers will beat them with this squad...

 

Will be looking to hit the Breakers ML via live-in-game

 

GL fellas

big total for tomorrow's game between the Blaze & Hawks - 178, that's about 214 in a 48 min context.

 

Can't help but feel this Blaze team will be involved in some very high scoring games this season though with Joey Wright steering the ship.

- they played 197 in the preseason with hawks shooting well from the field but not the free throw line. GC av shooting.

- hawks appear to be playing very uptempo and haven't been under 180 in the preason and round 1.

- as you say GC should be up for it. lot of ordinary efforts from players last week against Townsville they should improve.

Hawks still not getting any respect. They beat GC in the preseason comp by 17 without Matt Campbell who has been playing well.

GC have alot of potential but haven't got it together yet. Willing to go with the form team getting 7 in the old language.

I only just realised Perth ditched Connor Henry for Rob Beveridge, a very major upgrade IMO. Also reassessing their roster and thinking they will be alot better than i initially thought.

Townsville have Homicide and a some decent but not spectacular players - Hoare, Crawford, Tovey, Robertson and Hinder are all ok, but you would not be overly excited about starting any of them at this point in their career.

Adelaide fell apart against Cairns in the last quarter after scores were tied at 3qt.

Impressive numbers from the new import Gilchrist: 20 points @ 56%, 10R and 6A. Burston also had impressive numbers with 11 points 15 rebounds. On the other hand Cortez Groves was 1 from 7, Adam Ballinger was 2 from 13 and Nathan Herbert 3 from 11.

Ballinger missed the preseason so hopefully is better for the run.

If they get all their players fit and firing they look to have the quality and depth to be in the mix with anyone. Their results in the preseason comp were terrible because they had plenty of players out injured.

Jumping off NZ pretty quickly. If Bruton and Penny are on fire they are tough to beat, but otherwise look to lack size, organisation and attitude at this point.

Adelaide having Brett Maher ceremonies before the game. Hopefully this fires them up and NZ are as lacklustre as they were on Wednesday.

There does appear to be a lot of reliance on that Breakers backcourt

Sixers

Well done mate