Hoops

Sixers @ Blaze, tonight (Jan 15)

Ha - yeah that long ranbling post wasnt actually me, but I do know who it was (a mate who I took to the game) and yeah to say he had had a few beverages at the game is an understatement.

From halfway through the 2nd 1/4 the Blaze were well on top. Until then it was all Adelaide and you were hitting some big shots and keeping the crowd quiet. Blaze got on a roll and yes IMO Ninny was too slow calling a timeout before the half and trying to keep the momentum with the 6ers. By half time Blaze were flying and had all the running and went to the break believing they were well on top. Conversely the 6ers had seen a solid lead evaporate and started to doubt themselves.

So yes - while Ninnis did use his timeouts, he seemed a little slow to reqact. It can only be a matter of 60 seconds too late and that makes all the difference.

Jacob was very quiet last night as well. Rebounds in favour of GC, suspect a 100% fit Jacob would have hussled more

Rot set in from 4 min mark of Q2. That's when GC shooting % jumped up, Sixers went down.

Was it the Statman on comment 551. Where's the JGS?

Thankfully Breakers play you guys next week, so with a bit of LUCK you can kick start our STRECH RUN.
Tonight, Tigers are going to inflict more pain on your lot.

My greatest fear now is that Breakers and Sixers look about even and we don't finish ahead at season end.

Sounds like another disappointing fade out from the Sixers. It is maddening how they can play well for a half and then get blown out. Just judging by the boxscore, the Blaze killed us on the boards and shot the lights out after half time!

Bit of a worry to hear that Herbert played well and then didn't play in the second half. Likewise, that Ninnis didn't call timeouts to break the Blaze's run.

That's pretty close to the Sixers season done now. The Tigers game could basically decide it. Sixers threw away both games to the Tigers at home earlier in the season, so I'm hoping they can throw the monkey off their back and return the favour. If they can do that they would keep the season series alive and make it tough on the Tigers. Of course, then there's the Hawks... dare I say 'lets go Blaze' tomorrow?

I thought Bubbles Goulding also played a key role in the second half that helped turn the screws. Filling in for Gibbo again he backed up last Saturday's game with another solid performance.

Also, no mention of the 'stink' near the end of the game yet? That was as close as I've seen to punches being thrown this season. Petrie absolutely wanted to kill Balls. I've never thought of Balls as a dirty player and still not too sure what he did to get the Intentional (which happened a good 5 seconds before Petrie fired up).

Having said this, I have no doubt it had something to do with an incident late in the 3rd quarter. Petrie and Cooper tangled under the basket and both went down around the baseline. With the play heading back to the other end, Petrie was kinda on top of Coops. It then looked to me like he stamped his boot into Coops as he got back up. Balls who was on the bench at the time, was the only Sixer who got up from the bench to spew at the refs. Coops stayed down and with a foul called at the other end, came out of the game.

Balls appeared to take his case further but as he wasn't subbed on couldn't do too much. Also interesting that Petrie was subbed off at the same stoppage and didn't come back on until half way through the last. Joey wanted him to keep a low profile for a while perhaps?

Wondering what anyone else saw of these incidents?

Doc perhaps? Where were you sitting?

Statman? As you are exactly 7 rows plus concourse directly in front of me, perhaps you had a better view or even heard what was going down (BTW good to finally meet).

F/Gs - Ng 7/8 and Burston 5/5 - were pretty good But only half a game each.

Gilchrist 1/9 and Tez 4/15 - probably where/how we lost it, I'd say.

(Hill did a bit at the end - when it was over, and Ballinger,Gilchrist just as frustrated as we are- it seems.)

Time and time again we see games lost. What changed from quarter time? Mind you, the backcourt is definitely not holding its own up. Miserable, is a good word! It seems that these two guys take all the shots. The boxscore shows this. I just hope others wake up that its all about them and not the team.
Cortex 4/14 and 3/9 isnt great and Johnny G is woeful at 1/9 and 0/4. Some figures. Brad Hill at least while not playing great ball, has decent figures.
Well thats the season and very disappointing really. And Tez thought things were coming together? Yeah right! What a crock

Can't be said that the 36ers are not consistent.

I vote that flip and the doctor dont go to anymore games!!!

Struggling to get closer than 6, need a spark of the bench or Gilly to do something!

typical 3rd qtr fade out - whatever they do at half time, stop it

Groves got his first 3pointer in ......
Burston started well, could be on the court a bit more,I reckon.
Yeah 11points up wasn't tooo bad. Not sure that Gilchrist has got any F/Gs in yet.

Fired up the stream bit choppy which is a shame getting 40sec or so than freeze image. Audio as usual is fine. Still worth the five dollars as the alternative is nothing!
Blaze working us inside outside what the we need to get some control on the boards!

Interesting that you didn't answer my original question Statman. mmmmmmmmmmmmm do we have a winner???????

To answer your question, I'm above the concourse so unless I hurdle the barrier to the lower section, you may have to walk back up your stairs before I can say hi.

If you like, I'll keep an eye out for you at quarter time, that is if you're not too busy with Tez and Balls.

Blazefan, do you sit in the bottom section or above the concourse? come over and say hi - I normally sit right on the Aisle :)

Statman, are you Blaze member #102? Every week I read the game preview in the program and it reminds me of your writing style. I've been meaning to ask for weeks but keep forgetting until now.

You're about 10-15 rows in front of me so I'll keep a look out for you (with Scotty) tonight.

Jack - We played all 10 on Wednesday :-)

Will be amazed if Sixers hold Blaze to single figures, Forget the upset.

Aw so Boti thinks Blaze will be tooo strong for us on D, and are not too worried about the good showing from Ng and Groves.
Anyways - we matched perth's toughness ,in the first half and came out a little soft , after the half, so we might match them for a lotta the game - whether we can for 4qtrs- Well there's water being thrown on that at the moment.
We'll have to wait and see - if we fade in the end, like we and NZ do.
Not quite sure that I'd underestimate Cortez Groves though.

thedoctor, try to get there as early as poss then as the line up for tickets can be quite long, and has been getting worse over the last couple of games.

They may put on a couple of extra staff....but dont hold your breath!

And the Balze will be playing with 10 men

Blaze are unbackable thedoctor

Blaze 1.25
Adelaide 3.65

where you sitting doc? Apparemtly ticket sales have been good sa far so hopefully a big noisy crowd

Anyone else up here and going to the game tonight?

FWIW I think the Blaze will get up by 9, Ubaka is good to go but Gibbo, while he will play may see limited minutes, Id expectto see Demos get a good run tonight and focus on whichever guard for ASdelaide starts best

If the Sixers are to be a chance they will have to shoot extremely well from outside and also win the rebounding battle. We have numerous guys who hammer the boards and last time we smashed you on the offensive glass all night.

Harvey to top score, Maxey to lead rebounding and Ninnis to get sick of me annoying him from 2 rows back ;)

Boti's preview here. I entirely agree with his thoughts there.

Whilst I think the 6ers can win tonight, my gut feel is the Blaze will take the points in this one.

I would like to think that Adelaide will be fired up and ready for the Tigers game though and I predict they are more likely to win that game even though it is on the road.

They really need to win tonight, because the Tigers game has "meek capitulation" written all over it. I can't see guys like Adam Gibson giving Ng the open looks he got on Wednesday, so Ballinger will need to restore his normal service of being heaps good.

Groves is a little more switched on, coming out firing. Glichrist - Groves have their moments. You could rotate at 1 and 2, with our 3point SG.
Ballinger will score in the first half. Burston could shoot a bit better, with Holmes a few more minutes and Herbert is in good form, Cooper doing OK.
Blaze have 2 injuries - may not play or play limited.
IF we turn up - will win this.