NBL Games Round 1

Thursday 20th September

NZ v Cairns

This promises to be a most interesting match.

Both teams have reloaded in the off season particularly Cairns. The signing of Stephen Black is most significant. Black along with new import signing Rashad Tucker provide championship winning experience and unlimited scoring. Add the focal point of the offence in Cattalini to the equation and things look bleak for any other NBL team’s defence. If that’s not enough they also poached Larry Abney from arch rival Townsville to boot. With naturalised Darnell Mee running the show he has an infinity of potent offensive weapons to choose from. The depth consists of Grabau, Jawai and Boodnikoff, with Boodnikoff being the best of them. He is still on the sidelines however with an injury but once he returns this team will be hard to stop. There are a couple of concerns however, with an injury cloud over Darnell Mee and the fact  that traditionally they have never travelled well. Last year they won just 5 games of 16 on the road.

NZ has changed both imports adding Rick Rickert and Wayne Turner. Turner would be known by most NBL fans with previous stints here. I really like the additions of both Phil Jones and Kirk Penney. Both bring scoring and international experience to what is now a well balanced side. Inside the paint they have Ronaldson and Rickert to do some damage. On the outside they have the likes of Turner, Forman and Jones.

Always competitive at home the Breakers could cause a boilover here. Cairns will have to be favourites on the basis of the off season signings, but I think the home side is the more balanced, particularly on the defensive side of the ball which counts most. They have 5 team members from the Tall Blacks competing for them and this will hold them in good stead in terms of familiarity and set moves. Something I think Cairns could have trouble with early in the year as they work out the chinks and take time to gel. I will take a team over a group of exciting individuals any day of the week. NZ will have their work cut out stopping the Cairns potent offence but they should be more then up to the task in their home opener. NZ won 9 of 16 at home last season and is well worth a shot in what should be a tussle.

Selection
NZ catch Cairns at the right time here before they click. 5 Tall Black members give the Breakers the edge in team play. Penney and Jones finally give them some depth without having to rely on their imports for big production. Cairns away record was poor last season although they are favoured due to their off season purchases. I rate this a pick’em game so the +3.5 is a gift if you can get it and the 2.25 on offer is well worth a shot.

It’s ok to throw a team of good players together but it always takes some time for them to gel. NZ has made changes as well but I think in a more friendly environment and with some key local talent, they can start to make some noise in the league.

NZ @ 2.25 or more (Sportsbet) - 1 unit