NBL Round 18

Adelaide v Perth

After suffering two narrow defeats out in Perth earlier this season, the 36ers will be hoping to inflict some revenge, as well as keep their playoff hopes alive, as they host the Wildcats tonight.  The Wildcats, current occupants of 4th position, with a bunch of teams breathing down their neck, would like a win here for a bit of breathing space.

Adelaide upset Sydney at home last Saturday, winning 115-93.  NBL Player of the Week, import Adam Ballinger, earned this crown in this game with 35 points on 13 of 19 shooting.  Their other import, Julius Hodge, was also impressive with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists.  Captain Brett Maher only managed 6 points in 17 minutes after suffering a calf injury (scans revealed a 2cm tear and reports are that he won’t play for the next 2 weeks).  Brad Davidson also had a big game with 31 points, which included 6 three pointers from 12 attempts.  A double header awaits the 36ers later this week (The Hawks in Wollongong on Friday and the Bullets in Brisbane on Saturday).

The Wildcats bounced back from a small loss in Cairns last Wednesday to beat the Gold Coast at home 2 days later, 103-88.  Naturalised Australian Shawn Redhage led 4 players in double figures with 28 points.  Peter Crawford shrugged off a shoulder complaint to register a valuable 18 points.  New import Joe Shipp had 4 points in 11 minutes of court time.  I would expect him to get more minutes than that tonight as he has had some more time to fit in.  The Wildcats have a home game against the Dragons coming up this Saturday.

The 36ers look a little too short to me here and this was before I realised Maher is unlikely.  His absence would really allow the Wildcats to key in on slowing down the imports on the 36ers.  The 36ers are a tough team at home, having said this; the Wildcats have also been very competitive on the road this season.  The prospect of Shipp playing some more minutes also tells me that the Wildcats are value.  The points total looks a little high to me, not quite enough value for a play on the unders for me.

Perth +3.5 at $1.90 IASBet - 2 units
Perth at $2.35 IASBet - 1 unit

South Dragons v West Sydney

The away teams prevailed in the 2 previous meetings between these teams earlier this season.  Tonight the Dragons, who have little else to play for apart from pride host the Razorbacks, who still have a very slight chance of making the top 8.

The Dragons last played 11 days ago and wound up on the wrong end of a 132-101 hiding at the hands of the Bullets in Brisbane (one day after losing by 35 points in Townsville).  Player/Coach Shane Heal led all players with 26 points (he has decided to concentrate on coaching for the rest of the season and give his ankle a rest).  An away game out west against the Wildcats this Saturday awaits the Dragons and they would not want to take a 9 game losing streak into that game.

After leading by 10 points at half time, the Razorbacks eventually got overpowered by the Tigers 111-108 in Melbourne last Saturday.  Import Darnell Hinson led 6 players in double figures with 21 points.  The Razorbacks have quite a tough run home to finish off the season.  A loss here to the Dragons will well and truly make their playoff chances mathematical (if they are not already).

I expect an even contest which is accurately reflected in the line betting.  The points total also looks to be on the mark.