NBL Round 14

Melbourne v Adelaide

The televised game on Big Wednesday sees the 2nd placed Tigers hosting a former Tiger in Lanard Copeland and his 9th placed 36ers.  The Tigers current streak is 2 wins and the 36ers won their last game.  The Tigers are still without Dave Thomas (knee) whilst the 36ers won’t have a second import ready for this game.

The Tigers accounted for the South Dragons at Vodafone Arena 98-88 last Saturday.  Chris Anstey was the standout with 36 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 blocks (which earned him NBL player of the week honours).  There seemed to be more of a sense of urgency about the Tigers offence than there has been in recent weeks.  A big reason for this I believe was the injection of new import Sean Lampley.  He only played 17 minutes and delivered 10 points and rebounds.  However at 6 foot 6 and being as athletic as he is, with a mid range shot, he was able to create a lot of openings for his team mates (in particular Anstey) through drawing defenders out onto him.  Things are definitely looking a lot better than in recent times for the Tigers.

The 36ers punished Singapore at home last Saturday, 104-77.  Import Adam Ballinger, in a performance that had it not been for Anstey, would have earned him the NBL player of the week, tallied 46 points and 10 rebounds.  I would imagine that they would try to play a zone in order to slow Anstey down.  They will then have to look at containing the likes of David Barlow and Lampley, which I believe they may have a tough time doing.

I believe the Tigers will win this game and do so comfortably.  The line betting looks about right to me.  The points total also looks to be about on the mark.

Singapore v West Sydney

In a game that both teams are carrying losing streaks into, the Slingers (3 losses) host the Razorbacks (4 losses).  This is the first game of the dreaded triple header for the Slingers (who play in Cairns on Friday and Gold Coast on Saturday).  After this game, the Razorbacks travel back home to host the 36ers on Saturday.

The Slingers were comfortably defeated by the 36ers in Adelaide last Saturday, 77-104.  In an overall poor offensive display, import Rod Grizzard produced 25 points.  They will be looking to get both of their imports firing to avenge the 31 point loss at the Olympic Park Sports Centre in Sydney in round 11.

The Razorbacks most recent loss came at home against Cairns last Sunday, 86-105.  Matthew Knight led all scorers with 13 points.  For the Razorbacks to be competitive with anyone, they would need more than 12 points (on 4 of 14 shooting) from import Darnell Hinson.  After their last victory was in round 11 against the Slingers, the Razorbacks will be confident that they can turn their fortunes around and get the win in Singapore.

Even though they are at home, I believe the Slingers are too short.  The Razorbacks will have a tough time containing Grizzard.  The Slingers will have a very tough time keeping all of Hinson, Liam Rush, Knight, Julian Khazzouh and their other import Troy De Vries quiet.  I believe the Razors will have too much depth in the end and that they are value in the current market.  The points total looks about right to me.

West Sydney +2.5 @ $1.91 Lasseters - 2 units
West Sydney at $2.20 Lasseters - 1 unit