Hoops

R1: Adelaide vs Perth

It's his leg..cain't get fitness hobbling around

While doubling up on Jawai, he gave a lotta assists. So big, so strong, too good

Ere's mask is an altitude mask.

It simulates oxygen levels at different altitude levels.

Forces your lungs to adapt and become more efficient with less air.

Quite a common training tool these days.

Comparing him to his last stint in the NBL, I'm guessing that the mask makes him suck a little harder

Rebounding was the clear point of difference between the two sides, which is ... let's say fascinating, because of how it was also the point of difference when Adelaide thumped New Zealand a few nights ago.

Second point of difference was Wildcats, in particular Beal, hitting big shots from deep. That one where Beal was six inches in from the sideline or so and hit it despite the defender was a real momentum changer, I feel. Rebounding and some clutch moments.

I agree long rebounds are often hard to snag, but tonight there were too many examples of Perth's wings like Hire, Prather and Wagstaff, reading where the rebound was going and chasing it down before our guys. I'd like to see Creek in particular making a point of hunting down defensive boards.

Great job taking the chockies for the first game. Big away wins are worth their weight in gold.

Early foul trouble hurt Hodgson and Perth does have some of the best, if not the best, front line in the NBL.

Melbourne's front line could match them, both of these teams seem to have everything in the right amounts.

Perth v Melbourne is my early call for the final...

Yeah, its a bit of an over-reaction to write McNeail off. He looked good in pre-season to me and just needs to get this injury sorted out.

I thought Hodgson was good in the first half, but not surprisingly against the wily Cats he ended up in foul trouble. I'm curious as to why Joey basically didn't play him in the second half, as he is a far better solution to defend Jawai than DJ?

I didn't really like the matchups Joey went for in general in this game. I think playing Hodgson and DJ together was a mistake, because we were then forced into a stretch late in the 2nd quarter when Petrie and Walker were our bigs and we got KILLED on the boards. Also, some of our wings need to do a better job of anticipating the long rebounds. Perth were first to far too many of them.

Other than that, we need to do a better job of setting screens to get our shooters good looks. Perth did that really well late in the game and sealed the win with three quick threes from Beal and Redhage. Because of Perth's defence, our guys rarely got such good looks from the perimeter tonight.

coaches/players may take a while to get the play/training/travel balance right.....very exciting times though !!

Something about our third terms where we drop off the pace or something. Same old, same old.

Up n about early and then faded away. Perhaps the double games are too much NBA styled and not NBL styled. Will see when other teams get their chance.

Cats too good but enjoying the fruits of winning when betting for them.

Well totally out coached and no plan to get open shooters like they did.
Again a pair of dud imports and really does not surprise most of us as McNeil no real form to say any good and we all knew Ebi Ere time had well passed, but at least thought turn up in some sort of playing condition.

12 to 18 OR's.....

That was pretty sweet :-)

Perth only going to get better.

Look out folks when the round mound of rebound gets fit.

This might sound racist but was anyone else purplexed as to why Gleason had a blue texta... Get that man a red one

This has been a fairly boring game... Wildcats by 6 but it feels like it's closer to having a mallee than a breakaway dunk.

Go wildcats

Oh the three ball.

Crowd booing Jawai on the free throw line

:(

#Racists

92% #Hardball, 8% #Softball

Redhage looks done IMO.

Refs have gotten themselves caught in an endless cycle of weak makeup calls after that ridiculous one against Kenny. #softball

Cats still hanging in there

His jumpshot is ugly as hell but I don't think people have been saying Prather overall is a shocker.

LOL ... Redhage still as popular as ever in Adelaide I see

Derek Rucker

Cats giving up some really easy baskets. Entertaining game so far.

Well, Poindexters what a game this will be tonight. Perth's first game and Adelaide's second game of the round.

Hodgson was the man on Wednesday night and will need to show everyone that wasn't just beginner's luck. Just one of the new faces in the Sixers lineup. Perth's team is fairly stable from last year except the wheelchairs of some of the older guys just need a bit more WD40. The big name is obviously Nathan Jawai who the Advertiser called the Beast of Bamaga. Usually that term is reserved for someone who has gone troppo with a chainsaw. At 143 kgs I think he is the biggest guy in the league, and certainly comes close to a few former girlfriends.

With Martin out, someone needs to step up. The Angry Ant is the key cog in the Wildcats game plan and their defensive, grabby style can't just rely on flops to get the win. The Cats rely on a slow paced game with each possession grinding out the full 24 secs. The Sixers are more free flowing.

The battle tonight will be won in the front court with offensive rebounds more valuable than Jack Bendat's watch collection.

Like someone said above, "the first real game for the Sixers" Both teams will be tested as both teams try to play they own style. I think the scoring might be lower tonight than Wednesday, but the ferocity will be more intense than a UFC match.

I might be a bit dusty today after a good mate's 50th last night, but I wouldn't be a Sixers Fan if I didn't tip them to get a win over the Pussycats.

Wildcats loss comes from this article:
https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/wa/a/29772670/salesman-marvin-outlines-his-vision-salesman-marvin-outlines-his-vision/

I wonder if there is some creative accounting in that. It's a worry if there isn't because crowds were outstanding last season, and above the level they could realistically hope to maintain long term IMO.

So what's the decision on the "Sea of Colour" tonight? Do we wear sixers' blue or the black shirts we got on Wednesday? ... or will it be a "Sea of Colours"?!

Also - does anyone know if the scoreboard will be working? I recall someone saying it was now totally dead forever - if that's the case, why doesn't the club have the sense/courtesy to let members know? If we are kept informed, we will accept that it's a serious problem that they are trying to fix rather than a weekly stuff-up where no-one could be bothered to test it before the game.

I think if Adelaide plays to their potential they get the W

‏@PerthWildcats
Wildcats captain Damian Martin will not be playing in tonight's game, as he continues to recover from a calf injury. #RedArmy

"Remember, this game will be live today on Fox Sports News (Foxtel Channel 500)"

And still live and free of charge on the NBL Live app for iPhone & Android.

7pm tip-off (= 4:30pm in Perth)

For all you Neighbours fans out there there is a Wollongong Hawks jersey on tonights episode. Good exposure!!!