NBL Round 15

West Sydney v Brisbane

The Razorbacks host the Bullets where they will be looking to hold on to their fading playoff chances.  The Bullets will be looking to hold onto 2nd position on the ladder and keep the competition front runners Sydney within striking distance.

The Razorbacks got blown away on their home floor by Adelaide last Saturday, losing 100-122 (after getting a win in Singapore 3 days earlier).  Liam Rush and import Troy DeVries were the main contributors with 18 and 21 points respectively.  Their other import, Darnell Hinson, was held to 11 points on 3 of 11 shooting.  As has been the recurring theme all season, when Hinson struggles, the Razorbacks struggle.

The Bullets got themselves a home victory in the game of the season thus far, beating Melbourne 112-108 last Saturday.  Some big shots that Ebi Ere (39 points) hit late in the game were what got them over the line.  Key contributions were also made from CJ Bruton (30 points) and their other import, Dusty Rychart (17 points, 12 rebounds).  They take a 3 game winning streak into this game and after defeating the Razorbacks 120-102 at home in round 12, they will be keen to extend the streak.  Their schedule over the new years period is not an overly kind one, with the Gold Coast at home tomorrow night, away at Cairns on new years eve and hosting the South Dragons tomorrow week.

I expect the Bullets to win this game easily.  Both the line betting and the points total look about right to me.

Wollongong v Townsville

After playing each other in Townsville last Saturday (where the Crocs prevailed by 10), the Hawks will be looking to avoid a season series sweep as they host the Crocs.  The Hawks will also be trying to move out of the wooden spoon race whilst the Crocs will be looking to move further within the top 8.

The Hawks were tied with the Crocs at half time 55-55 last Saturday.  Larry Davidson was their top scorer with 25 points.  Import Kavossy Franklin also chipped in with 20 points (on a dismal 5 from 17 shooting from the field).  Getting out-rebounded 38-50 (11-19 offensively) also did not help their cause in this game.  Given that one of the Crocs leading rebounders, Ben Pepper, only had 3 in this game tells me that it really does have to be a team effort in order to keep the Crocs off the boards and compete with them on the scoreboard.  Their next game is 7 days after this (at home to New Zealand) and they will be keen to avoid taking a 4 game losing streak into the new year.

Crocs Coach Trevor Gleeson getting ejected in the third quarter seemed to spark the Crocs to victory last Saturday.  Import Corey Williams led the way with 31 points and valuable contributions were also made from John Rillie and Pepper (16 points each).  Having beaten a team twice in a season, a let up against them in the final season match-up is always a possibility; however, given that the top 4 is still a realistic chance for the Crocs, I do expect them to let their guard down against the Hawks.

Some late mail that I have received is that Franklin is highly unlikely to play and that they have signed Aaron Trahair in time for this game.  Trahair has barely played for Perth this year and when he has he has looked awfully out of shape.  Before I received this mail my feeling was that the Hawks were too short. The points total looks about right to me.

Townsville -5.0 @ $1.9 Sportsbet - 2 units