NBL Round 6

Sydney v Adelaide

The Kings were flat in the second half against the Razors last start so expect an improved performance from them in this encounter. Last season after a loss on the road they responded next up at home to be 6-0 and keeping their opponent to 87 points per game winning by an average margin of 19 points.

These two coaches are fierce rivals. Goorjian replaced Smyth as national team coach after an embarrassing series loss to NZ a few years ago.

Phil Smyth has been criticised recently for his lack of emotion when coaching and the comments ring true when you look at the clubs performances, they have been soft.
Sixers fans are actually calling for him to be axed!

Selection

Mark Worthington 18 points and Under Centrebet 1 unit (2.45 Centrebet)

Worthington is averaging 22 this season but just 19 in his last 3. Those three scores were compiled against non-defensive teams so he is in a down trend. I am expecting the Sixers to lift in the face of adversity and key in on him defensively.

Import Isiah Victor is expected to play his first league game. While the Kings will bring him into the rotation slowly at first he will eat into Worthington’s minutes.
Particularly if the game is a double digit lead, with the Slingers in Singapore on the weekend Goorjian will not risk his players being fatigued again like they were versus the Razors. Jason Smith and Dontaye Draper have increased their impact on the scoreboard in recent weeks also.

Worthington is shooting 41% from the field this season which is poor considering a lot of his shots would be closer to the basket. He tends to drift out to the perimeter and take outside jumpers. When you are fatigued you don’t have your legs and you can’t get to the foul line for cheap points which he relies on. Defensive whiz Mike Chappell will get the assignment on Worthington and I am more then confident he can limit him significantly.