Hoops

Melbourne v Adelaide, Boxing Day

I don't think United have the Kings covered. They might have beaten the Kings early in the season, and last game the Kings let the win slip. Kings ain't great at closing out games.

Melbourne lost to Brisbane twice in a round, not sure they have them covered just yet.

It was a shame that last Ware shot but without his heroics in that final quarter United would've been blown away. I say that too as someone who considers Ware a bit overrated and a bit of a chucker but after a poor start to the season he has been playing very well lately.

Enjoyable game to watch. Good to see Adelaide turning their game up a notch. Shame about Ware's heroball last play. I have always considered Ware to be overrated, but I'm probably biased in that assessment because I despise heroball players.

Melbourne definitely are going to want home court advantage if they are to make G/final series. The game against the Kings fell into their lap and now a loss to the Sixers. Travelling to Brisbane or Perth would be a tough ask. I think Sydney will take care of it in final quarters come finals time.

Just wanted to say that if the NBL are going to persist with the Boxing Day blockbuster, I am now going to have to get two tickets, one for the cricket and one for the basketball.

Happy to go to both and miss a couple of hours of watching the block-fest that the money hungry IPL has turned test cricket into for the action packed and high scoring entertainment offered by the NBL, every day of the week!

Melb, Perth, Sydney are in great positions where they can drop a game or two. Adel, Bris, Hawks and NZ are all do or die games. Sixers need to take care of business agains NZ and Hawks to have any chance.

Great move putting Conger on Ware, although gets wasted as soon as the Sixers switch leaving DJ on Ware, who's eyes light up as he draws him out to the perimeter. "Gee I wonder what will happen next" as Ware drives to basket and scores.

They could be fighting for 4th spot with Perth the way they are dropping games right now.

Wiley has such explosive speed when he cuts to the basket. Was huge in getting Sixers level at start of last qtr.

Has Deng regained form?

Will he maintain this into the finals (IFF Adelaide make it?) or is it just a flash in the pan?

If Deng maintains his scoring, is it enough to lift Adelaide to contender status?

Boone averaging 23 min per game.

To compare, Bogut’s avg is 30 min per game.
(These figures rely on nbl website and are rounded to whole minutes).

Is Boone still able to perform at the level that MU need in the finals.

Sad to ask, but is he now an avocado import?

36ers too good when it mattered.
Deliberate ploy of Moore(player of match for mine) attacking Goulding off the dribble repeatedly came up trumps.Johnson going to hoop also a factor.
Melbourne Goulding, Kennedy and McCarron could not back up Ware who was sensational in keeping them in it down stretch.

Can't believe Joey had Doyle on in last 2 mins. Not up to the pressure at that time, and Moore passing the ball up the court was a brain fade. Moore again misses both free throws at the death. Would of put Adelaide up by 8 if he made them. Did the same against the Hawks.

I see what you did there Trev.

There is no free throw issue. Adelaide simply shoots many more in the paint than United and they set more screens and shoot more 3’s. The stats show this clearly. If those two stats are similar hen maybe you have a right to compain on behalf of United but in this case sorry, no case to be heard.

Vaughn Mayberry. Just fuck him off.

Sobey looked sullen and furious all the last quarter. Did something I missed get up his nose. Joey maybe?

Joey mentioned Casper in the presser
https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1077886157667463173

Yeah was wondering about Joey and Casper.. did Joey say something during the game that upset Casper?

what was the deal with Joey & Casper exchanging words after the game was over?

Works on burner phone. #phew

MF I'm working on it.

NBL app: "This app is not compatiable with your device." DAFUQ #shattered

I was hoping for OT as well. The best game of the season so far in my opinion

One highlight was Deng. He did extremely well with 13 points off the bench. That's what we want to see

PW, I'm starting to believe that you aren't even in the state

What a sheeeeeeeeeet final shot. Deserved an OT.

High scoring game. I was kind of hoping for OT

Manu I didn’t see that but wasn’t watching for it so hats off to you for a good comment

I said DJ wasn’t on in second post, but the point is quick pick and roll to switch the slowest defender onto Ware.. so run it against whoever the defensive 5 was given DJ was off

It was brought to my attention that Joey had his guys falling into a zone after the initial P&R switch. Smart

Sorry for posting about the game in the game thread.

No foul by Barlow when a Sixer was shooting late in the 4th? Those brown bags must have MG car keys in them too

Piss off Lovebroker, you're a hater. Been hating since day 1

Sobey will be doing a lot on the same floor next season when he plays with his mate Mitch at the Phoenix.

Yeah if I was Melbourne I would've ran quick pick and roll to switch DJ onto Ware

PW, wanna go get some free burgers?

Conger on Ware was the turning point for me, until Ware switched to another level to overcome it bar that last three.

Sorry DJ was fouled out at that point lol

Yeah if I was Melbourne I would’ve ran quick pick and roll to switch DJ onto Ware then look for the 2 as the first option. Not a great play out of the huddle by Vickerman, who I must say is doing an outstanding job coaching his team.

Barlows fouls on Moore couldn’t have been more
obvious and as expected multiple no calls. Adelaide win despite the refs. Doing it for the teams getting screwed this season, even the ones I don’t like are getting the same treatment against certain teams. Well done Adelaide.

You'd think Wiley won a Championship after every basket he scores.

Beautiful happy Boxing Day Melbourne

Teams seem to be going out of their way to lose games this year.

I can't beleive Sobey got sucked in yet again on the same floor he cost his team a title. The kid will never learn.

Don't you just love the Sixers.

*Key: love = hate

Sobey nearly throws it away, still one of the dumbest players going around !!

Doyle lol

Should have got to the line to go to OT.

I was wondering why Doyle was on the floor too