Basketball On The Internet.

MELBOURNE'S decision to rest Chris Goulding, Daniel Kickert and Hakim Warrick from tonight's NBL match in Auckland has swung the playoff door wide open for New Zealand.

A Breakers win and a 36ers loss to Illawarra in Wollongong ends all further speculation of who finishes in the four or in what order.

And while Melbourne WILL put its best foot forward on Sunday at Hisense Arena against the Breakers, it means for Adelaide to make the postseason, it must win in Wollongong and again in Perth on Sunday.

It's a tough ask but always was, Melbourne with no obligation to the 36ers.

But seriously now, how well will Melbourne's "skins" have to play agaionst New Zealand to get the win?

Certainly better than Perth played against Sydney on Wednesday without four of its starters.

I selected New Zealand earlier this week to win this on merit but the "W" just became a great deal easier.

We'll probably hear a lot about how great it is to get minutes into the minnows "in case they're needed in the playoffs" but, let's be honest now - if they haven't been needed during the regular season, why would they be needed in the playoffs?

You're either a part of the rotation by now, or you're not.

That said, I am still leaning to Adelaide keeping the playoff conversation alive into Sunday by upsetting Illawarra tonight in Wollongong.

And now Matt Knight has been ruled out of Sunday's game - he left the court early from Perth's morning session today after taking a tumble from contact during a drill - Sunday may yet still be the 2015-16 finals fixturing's definitive day.

SIX second-quarter turnovers last night allowed Cairns to get a sniff it could still beat Townsville in Townsville but the Crocodiles wanted this game just so much more, clinching the Reptile Rumble and associated derby bragging rights 85-68.

The disappointment was the size of the crowd but the NBL has to recognise regional teams have regional support which means it can take travel time to get to a game.

Thursday night fixturing of a Reptile Rumble rules out many Taipans fans making the drive, especially for the 6.30pm start to accommodate eastern states TV times.

It's a shame because the way the Crocs are playing, they deserve a full house.

Who knows? Maybe tomorrow. 

Last night: TOWNSVILLE CROCODILES 85 (Samhan 14, Jett, Steindl 13, Kay 12; Kay 9 rebs; Norton 7 assts) d CAIRNS TAIPANS 68 (Gliddon 16, Weigh 14, Worthington 13; Weigh, Craig 5 rebs; Bruce 3 assts) at The Swamp, Townsville Ent. Centre.