Basketball On The Internet.

THE top-six playoff/play-in quest could hit the end of the road for a couple of teams in NBL Round 18 with teams competing for post-season participation squaring off, Cairns-Tasmania tonight, Adelaide's two matches pivotal, Illawarra and Brisbane on the brink and New Zealand desperate for the head of NBL arch rival Perth. 

Tasmania (12-12) backs up after Cairns by hosting Adelaide. Two wins and 14-12 would be as close to guaranteeing action beyond the regular season as it would be possible to get.

For Cairns (11-14), a loss would probably put it out of contention or at best, needing wins and other results to fall compliantly.

Adelaide (10-14) is the form team right now and a repeat of its home win over Sydney (12-13) would not only throw the Kings' prospects into disarray but turn the 36ers' road game against Tasmania into a virtual final.

The Kings were humiliated by South East Melbourne, Phoenix coach Mike Kelly again proving his mettle by showing what he can do with inferior talent that follows a plan.

Confirming the club will honour his two-year deal, Kelly this round faces the derby challenge of a Throwdown against crosstown Melbourne, never easy at the best of times. And these might still be the worst.

Illawarra (11-12) hosts Brisbane (12-13) and one of them will level their record to 50 percent, the other leaving themselves with little-to-no margin for further error.

And finally it is the old rivalry renewed, New Zealand (10-13) and with five games left, capable of crashing the post-season party - and sending a shiver through the rest of the league - if it can first weather the Wildcats in Perth.

The end of the line draws ever closer to the playoff hopefuls.  

ROUND 18 TIPS
Huge for both but Tasmania still appears a more settled outfit than Cairns.
Beating Melbourne was good but Adelaide's form is more reliable than Sydney's.
Hawks are rolling, Bullets rocking. At home, leaning toward an Illawarra rage.
South East was great last round but Melbourne is too deep to drop this one.
Tasmania at home is where Adelaide's hopes likely hit the brick wall. Maybe.
End of the road for NZ if it cannot curtail Cotton for mirth in Perth. Breakers.

NBL RANKINGS – WEEK 17
This          Last
Week       Week   Club
  1               1       Perth (16-8) can be unsettled at home and NZ has back to the wall.
  2               6       Adelaide (10-14) The in-form team but this round determines fate.
  3               9       Illawarra (11-12) What a bounce back round but Brisbane is the key.
  4               3       Melbourne (17-7) Still top, just not in top form. Throwdown vital.
  5               2       Tasmania (12-12) Form fluctuating wildly but this round seals finals.
  6               4       Brisbane (12-13) Can't live with big guns but must blaze over Hawks.
  7               7       New Zealand (10-13) Marking time while running out of it. Must win.
  8              10      South East (10-15) Showed recent missing heart and can trouble United.
  9               5      Sydney (12-13) Too erratic to be paid much respect, same for coach.
10               8      Cairns (11-14) One loss away from elimination. Cannot be trusted.