Hoops

Sixers vs Breakers pre-game thread

Looks like first row sports have it on free. Heres the link to their guide

http://www.thefirstrow.eu/sport/basketball.html

Nz got thumped at home by one of the strongest teams in the comp who play the most up tempo in your face defense, not like the Tigers or Kings strolled in and thumped them lol.
I do agree that this seasons Sixers team has the best shot at knocking the Breakers off. Anything short of their best and NZ will be sitting on 2 losses for 2012-13.

does anyone know where i can get a basketball holder in melbourne?

At 3.50, I'll put some coin down on the Sixers.

TV / Foxtel coverage? Or live stream?

Tip-off will be 5pm our time I think. (NZ 2.5 hours behind Adelaide).

I think an advantage that the sixers carry into this match is that they are an entirely different team compared to last season. The breakers wont be able to follow the same strategy as the last couple of seasons in this match now that we have depth.

as others have said though our team is not as well established as breaker and perth so we could see the team make more errors. i think its going to be tough but i think the sixers may pull this one off due to the element of surprise. sixers by 3

Abercrombie may still not be 100%, may not require any special attention.

I think this seasons Sixers match up well with the Breakers. I hope both teams play well.

I think either way it is going to be close. NZ need to limit their turnovers and hit the glass if they are to get the W.

I agree with Tornado that it was generally Wilkinsons mobility and ranged shooting that killed the Sixers in the past. Having said that, the Breakers now have Hudson instead and after last week I think he and Pledger are going to hit the offensive glass hard. I think a key to victory for the Sixers will be if DJ and Luke can hold their own on the boards.

Don't know if the Sixers will be clever enough to make it happen, but I'd like to see them try to force Pledger to guard DJ as I think DJ will be far too quick. I don't like the DJ-Vukona match up as much because Vukona has too much body strength and will be able to make life difficult.

Abercrombie worries me as he is too quick for Weigh and Creek is not experienced enough yet.

Gibson should hold his own v Jackson but the Breakers backcourt has a lot of savvy vets so I think they have an advantage.

So while I think the Sixers have better chance of winning than they have in awhile, I think homecourt, savvy vets and the motivation of last weeks loss will probably see the Breakers home.

Yeah shooting has been fairly woeful in the pre season and they followed it up by throwing Bricks all night at the NSEC.
Didn't see Gibson trouble Jackson much last season Tornado.

Could go either way IMO.

Personally, I think the Breakers are struggling to find their identity.

Last year this was a team that killed teams from the outside in terms of 3-point shooting. Even the 5 man GK was doing work from the perimeter.

But with Hudson in the mix and Pledger seeing more minutes, I think this team is having trouble getting the inside-outside balance right.

Offensively, they have been poor all pre-season and weren't clicking vs. Perth.

The Sixers will need to keep showing that they can create a winning culture before I will tip them on the road to the Champs.

Would love to see an upset though.

The Sixers have not won in Auckland for a while now and records are meant to be broken.

They have the best chance for a while to beat the Breakers at home and a win would be a season defining win if they can pull it off. Can they pull it off?

Rebounding: Schensch and Johnson should win this area. Looking forward to the Vukona-Petrie matchup. Would you throw Pero onto Vukona to draw 5 fouls out of him to get him out the game?
Shooting: If Weigh stayed hot, but he will be closely guarded this game - no "Clarkey's Paddock" or "Radford's Ranch" this round.
Ball Handling: Jackson should own the court, so this is the area of weakness.
Defence: Everyone says NZ, but Sixers are just as good.
Open Court: Abercrombie and Creek - oh, I can hear Bruce McAvaney salivating. Special.
Coaching: Err...

The other things the Sixers need to watch:
* Abercrombie alley-oop - you know it's coming!
* Pick and Roll - Sixers get beaten everytime

Mmmmm...... If things go right, Sixers could get it, if the Breakers come out swinging, then plenty of happy fans. I think the Sixers will go down by the narrowest of margins.

Sixers in OT.

Sixers can finally outscore this Breakers squad, but can they get it together on D that will be the key.

Sixers by 6+ for me.

Will the game be televised like all the Kiwi home games were last year?

NZ by 10.

Breakers got smashed on the glass and any other effort related catagory and then shot the ball poorly.
Perths defense > Adelaides defense.

I heard the same stuff when Penney left.

4-6 point spread NZ's way. Lemanis would have given them a serve and I expect them to bounce back with a home victory.

Its going to be a close game but I think we match up pretty good against NZ & even Perth.

This season is up for grabs

Come on Sixers