New Zealand v Gold Coast R17

Two teams who are right in the playoff hunt square off here with the Breakers hosting the Blaze.  The Breakers won the previous meeting by 13 points on the Gold Coast in round 8.  The Blaze are exactly one game ahead of the Breakers on the ladder but they may have to play this contest with only one import.

The Breakers split their NSW double header last weekend.  After losing to Wollongong on Friday they bounced back to beat West Sydney by 16 points the next day.  Kirk Penney led 5 players in double figures against the Razorbacks with 26 points.  Both of their imports, Derrick Alston (16 points) and Orien Greene (20 points), who were brought in mid-season due to injuries, also had good games.  Following this game, the Breakers next task is the Crocs in Townsville on Saturday.

Blaze import Juaquin Hawkins suffered a minor stroke last weekend and will not play again this season.  They have a replacement lined up, Luke Whitehead and are hoping to have him cleared in time to take his place in this game.  With only one import, the Blaze lost to the Tigers in Melbourne last Wednesday, 102-117.  James Harvey did his Olympic team aspirations no harm at all, registering 31 points which included 4 from 7 on three pointers and a perfect 11 from 11 at the free throw line.  Import Jason Crowe also had a good game with 23 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists.  The next assignment for the Blaze will be to make the extremely long trip to Perth and take on the Wildcats on Saturday.

I expect this game to be a very competitive one.  The absence of Hawkins for the Blaze may be too much.  I definitely give the Blaze a decent chance; however, with the prospect of having only one import for an away game in New Zealand, there is no value in the current line betting for me (I believe the flat 6 that is out there for the Blaze will be if the new guy gets confirmed).  The points total looks spot on to me.