Basketball On The Internet.

GOLF season started early for Cairns and Townsville when both last night were unable to beat opponents who, in the end, just wanted it more.

First, with their year on the line, the Sydney Kings dug deeper to produce the plays in the crunch for an 81-74 win, their 12th.

It means Townsville is done. Even if it beats Melbourne tomorrow, it can only reach 11 wins and Wollongong and Sydney already have 12.

Must admit it was fun seeing the Kings crowding around nbl.tv to see what was happening in the other key fixture last night, Melbourne eventually ending the Taipans' dream in Cairns 66-64.

Way out West in the one game which really didn't matter, Perth fulfilled predictions and stumped New Zealand to prove a 13th straight home win would be anything but unlucky, prevailing 73-58.

What does it all mean?

It means tonight's fixture in Wollongong with the Hawks hosting bomb shelter resident Adelaide is now "the match of the round" - so much is hinging on it.

How much?

If the Hawks lose and Melbourne beats Townsville tomorrow - and at home, with everything to play for and the Crocs' season over, you'd have to favor the Tigers - it will be Sydney and Melbourne completing the top four.

Both have the split over Wollongong - you remember how big that last basket by Tigers swingman Chris Goulding was when the Hawks last beat Melbourne? It trimmed the deficit under the magic eight points to give Melbourne the series, despite losing so it was HUGE - which means the Hawks MUST win tonight to play finals.

Piece of cake?

Well, factor these.

Before Perth started that 13-win home streak, it lost at home to...?

Adelaide.

When the Hawks last hosted the 36ers at The Sandpit, do you recall who won?

Adelaide.

The Sixers' Marty Clarke era may well finally end tonight but this will be as close as his teams have come to finishing with a playoff-significant game.

Don't write them off.

 

LAST ROUND ... So Far

Kings v Crocodiles

AARON Bruce hit 10 of his 16 points in the last 97 seconds to ice Sydney's return to the playoffs in what was a terrific game between two desperate teams.

His pair of threes and 4-of-4 from the stripe put the Crocs into mothballs for 2012-13, that 0-10 season start ultimately just too great a hurdle to clear. (Because 10-7 since then was nothing to be sneezed at.)

Sydney again showed great heart and intensity, players such as Daniel Joyce stepping up to provide key minutes, Ian Crosswhite with 14 boards and 6 assists, Darnell Lazare with a game-high 21 points and plenty of passion.

Peter Crawford (21 points) hit some big shots for Townsville but Sydney frustrated Gary Ervin - his 10 points came on 3-of-13 shooting - as the Kings achieved something few outside Sin City believed or conceived.

 

Taipans v Tigers

LIVING on the edge, Cairns finally tumbled into the precipice when Chris Goulding hit the game-winner and Melbourne's defence stood tall to stave off any final Taipans heroics.

The 66-64 win in front of the 4,932-strong Orange Army was one for the ages, Goulding concluding the season as one of the competition's superstars.

That All Star Game MVP win in Adelaide in December appears to have pushed him over that edge of inconsistency and he was the difference-maker in this one with 25 points.

Alex Loughton (15 points) and Aaron Grabau - didn't Mr Retired Uniform finish the season well? - helped Cairns into the lead in the last quarter before Goulding finished it off.

Playing in a hostile environment without injured Lucas Walker and Jonny Flynn, it was arguably Melbourne's best win of the season and could not have come at a better time for its finals aspirations.

You have to wonder now though whether the NBL has seen the last of Cairns pair Dusty Rychart, who was talking retirement a few weeks ago, and veteran Grabau.

Do I think they should go on? Absolutely. You are a long-time retired. Maybe have a few weeks rest and think about it then guys. 

 

Wildcats v Breakers

WHEN 12,381 turn up for a "dead rubber", you know they're expecting an insight into the likely championship series to come.

With Damian Martin out injured, the odds were fairly evenly stacked but Perth jump-started behind reigning MVP Kevin Lisch's 18 first-half points.

New Zealand did well to recover from Perth's emphatic 11-0 start but a 31-18 second period Wildcat assault was going to make it tough.

A nine-point third period by the Breakers made it impossible.

Did we learn much?

These teams don't like each other a great deal.

But who didn't know that BEFORE tip-off?

 

BEEF of the WEEK

Um. NBL. Anyone home?

Can someone put up the SECOND HALF stats soon of the Cairns-Melbourne game?

I know its the last round and awards night tomorrow so people are a bit busy, but a lot of people are curious and nbl.com.au IS the league's official website.

Fans shouldn't have to go elsewhere to get those details.

 

NBL/WNBL Awards selections

IT'S the big night at Crown Casino tomorrow - unless Steve Carfino blurts the winner out sooner - so here are my not-so-bold predictions.

Ladies first - the MVP will come from Suzy Batkovic, Kristi Harrower and Jenna O'Hea. The Batgirl or Super K would become multiple winners if successful. Suzy missed some games with injury, Jenna came in late from the WNBA and Kristi would have lost votes to Gab Richards and Kelsey Griffin. It's no secret Suzy is my favorite player so I'm going with my heart here and guessing back-to-back.

Coach of the Year should be Bernie Harrower. His Bendigo gals won the PSST, the regular season championship and then their historic first WNBL title. My dark horse for this though would be Townsville's Chris Lucas, the Fire surprising everyone almost as much as the Spirit.

Guess my Lightning bias may be showing here but I like Jenni Screen for the Robyn Maher Best Defensive award and Steph Talbot for Betty Watson Rookie, Stephanie a starter all season for Adelaide.

The men's MVP will be New Zealand's Action Jackson, Cedric the Entertainer. He has been head-and-shoulders ahead this season.

Coach of the Year should land into Andrej Lemanis' lap again, NZ posting a 24-4 win-loss mark en route to the regular season championship. My dark horse is Sydney's Shane Heal. Let's be honest here, how many pundits picked the Kings for anything but eighth? Now take out James Harvey for a prolonged period. Or a season-ender for Corin Henry. To make the playoffs in a season like this is a toupees-off effort.

After the PSST, I tipped Clint Steindl for Rookie of the Year but I may have under-estimated his running mate Cam Gliddon.

Damian Martin would be a lock for Best Defensive and Anthony Petrie has my vote for Best Sixth Man. Most Improved? Wow. That's a tough one.

I think injury rules out Rhys Martin, and Todd Blanchfield is not there yet. So Ben Madgen, Chris Goulding or Greg Hire? Maybe Goulding, though The Madge has been a gas this season.

We'll know tomorrow.

As for tonight? If you live anywhere near the Win Entertainment Centre in Wollongong, get out there as fast as you can for the biggest game since the 2009 Grand Final series.

 

PS

Back at work now. If you wonder what I've been doing, check this out: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/basketball/staples-center-a-sports-venue-the-world-looks-up-to/story-fndekpx4-1226603759248