IASbet.com.au – Townsville Crocodiles vs Sydney Spirit
December 6, 2008 11:00 am Basketballwww.iasbet.com.au – Where and When: Saturday 6 December, Townsville Entertainment & Convention Centre, 7.30pm (AEST)
Past Three Head-to-Head
Townsville Crocodiles 103-101 Sydney Spirit, Round 6 2008.
Only met once
Season Series
Crocs 1-0
Current Standings
Crocs (8-7) fifth, Spirit (7-8) sixth
Townsville has stamped itself as a legitimate top-four contender, winning their past four matches to move to fifth place on the NBL ladder while the Spirit have grown into their name in the past fortnight, claiming wins over the Dragons and the Cairns Taipans to move to sixth place on the ladder with an 8-8 win-loss record.
The Crocodiles’ most recent win was arguably their most impressive – a 16-point triumph over the New Zealand Breakers in New Zealand on Thursday.
Trevor Gleeson’s men shot a stunning 52 per cent from three-point land against the Breakers Brad Williamson, John Rillie and Michael Cedar doing the bulk of the damage.
Townsville also has a solid inside presence with Rosell Ellis averaging 15.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game while Russell Hinder and Daniel Egan are capable of providing invaluable support.
Ellis in particular should be fresh and ready for Saturday night’s clash after playing just 32 minutes in the win over the Breakers.
The 30-year-old’s match-up with Sydney Spirit big man Matthew Knight shapes as being a key in determining the outcome of this match.
Knight has stepped up to help his side overcome the loss of fellow big man Julian Khazzouh, leading the Spirit in scoring and rebounding.
The 24-year-old has scored 27 and 25 points in the Spirit’s past two wins and they will need a similar performance from him again on Saturday night if they are going to make it five in a row.
Knight will need support from the likes of Jason Smith and Dave Gruber who chimed in with 20 points in the win over the Taipans, if the Spirit are going to defeat a Townsville side that boasts plenty of offensive weapons.
This match could go either way but the home court advantage and the fact that Ellis and fellow import Corey Williams played limited minutes against the Breakers tips this contest slightly in favour of the Crocodiles.
The smart money is on a Townsville win by 1-10, offering $2.85.
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