Hoops

WNBL Round 14

"Sammy 15 5 & 5.. You were saying luuuc?"

What do you mean?
I was saying the Lynx were no certainties and it panned out that way. It was neck and neck all the way, and thankfully a bit of "home court advantage" helped us get it done in the 4th.

Sami had to tone down her D a little due to foul trouble, but was solid at the other end. 15, 5 & 5 is a very standard Sami stat line. A little down on scoring, a little up on passing. Betnijah came up huge, just as we needed her to. 2 assists off a triple double. Spent most of the game in attack mode, and she was the difference in the end. Good game by Mijovic too. On form it should probably be her rather than Burton who stays in the starting 5 once Louella is healthy.
Wischer played probably her best game in a Lynx uniform providing some assistance in the paint.

We got badly beaten on the boards for most of the game (have to credit Adelaide's hustle for that, led from the front by Ruef as usual) but later in the game we at least stopped leaking o-boards and it helped a lot.

Not a typical fast-moving Lynx game. Very much a scrap. Relieved to escape with the points.

No TV coverage, but Bendigo's home games broadcast live by Fresh FM 101.5 (web, tune in app).

As for Tinkle, a bit like Mijovic, allergy to the paint. Also built like Tarzan but plays like Jane (poor analogy but she has the size and strength to bang inside, but doesn't do it enough). The Flames missed Swords big time as they had no one to guard Richards (tinkle and Boag couldn't), which also on rotation, then freed up Griffin. Maybe a bit biased (as I see all her home games) but she is MVP in my mind. Just does what needs to be done. Highlight of the night was when she took a three, which missed but followed it in for the tip back two.

"The JCU Townsville Fire has today announced that Tamara Tatham will miss the remainder of the 2015/16 Wattle Valley WNBL season through injury.
Prior to the Christmas break, Tatham was diagnosed with a stress fracture in her left shin."

http://wnbl.com.au/townsville_news/tatham-ruled-out-of-wnbl-season/

"Not sure Adl can beat Lynx they have no answer for Sammy Whitcomb"

I'm not so sure about that. Our other perimeter threat and only point guard (Lavey) is out. Sami's workload today will be huge, her form in the last month has been solid but not great, and she's not at her best when she's forcing it. If Adelaide focus in on her they can definitely win this one. With Tomlinson out, I say advantage: Adelaide in the paint with Ruef & Standish vs Burton & Mijovic. They should be looking to get us into foul trouble. We've got very little off the bench with Edmondson & Mijovic presumably to be elevated into the starting 5.

Laney is going to be crucial to Perth's chances today. Fortunately she has been playing seriously good basketball while somehow still flying under the radar.

Perth $1.10
Adelaide $6.00
Line: -12.5 points

While I give Perth maybe a slight edge at home, those odds seem crazy to me. Too long for me to resist.

No, but a TV deal is "imminent" ;)

(running joke)

Dandenong Rangers live stream most of their home games on YouTube, but other than that there is SFA.

^ Excellent observation there, anon!

Big win by Adelaide against the Rangers, who had no excuse not to be fully focussed given the big scrap we've got happening for top 4 spots.

I think the Lightning are more than a rough chance to knock off the Lynx tomorrow as well, given that Tomlinson and Lavey are both confirmed out. Looking forward to seeing what odds are offered.