NBL Basketball / Andy Morris / 22 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Sydney Spirit is a troubled franchise, but there could be good news on the horizon over the festive period, writes Andy Morris.

They have been forced to take significant pay cuts to try and see out their inaugural season, after the NBL reclaimed their licence.

There was no way, on their pathetic attendances, that the Spirit were ever going to do other than make a huge loss on the season and the harsh realities have hit home now.

But at least they can have some Christmas cheer this week by climbing into the top six at Adelaide's expense.

The Spirit scored a 101-90 home win over the Crocodiles to end the last round, which has taken them to an identical 9-10 record alongside the 36ers who hold that all-important sixth place on the ladder.

And while the 36ers face a tough trip to the State Netball and Hockey Centre this week, the Spirit could move above them by beating the Hawks on the road.

Looking at the Tigers v 36ers match-up first, it pits a team with a 6-3 home record against a franchise that has only won two of its nine games on the road. The Tigers would have to go on a big run from now to the end of the season to catch top two the Dragons and Breakers, but they want to at least be secure in third spot.

Melbourne is on a two-game winning streak at the moment, having won in Cairns and then at home to the Hawks in the last round. And significantly they have already beaten the 36ers at home this season, winning by 28 points in Round 4. This should be a comfortable win for the Tigers at home.

Sydney goes to Wollongong on the same night knowing this is the perfect time to start padding out their road record. They are 2-7 on the road, but the Hawks are next to last on the ladder, so the Spirit will definitely be targeting this one as a winnable match.

It's worth bearing in mind that Sydney lost 111-99 to the Hawks in Round 1 at WIN Entertainment Centre, although they did gain revenge at Olympic Park in Round 6 when they won the return fixture by 13 points. The Hawks haven't given up on making post-season, but their away record is the worst in the competition and realistically they are not going to make it.

Sydney at last has something tangible to play for and I think it will make a difference. I will plunge an NBL bet on them to win this one.
It is always nice to have a guaranteed source of income in the NBL betting world at Christmas, and Boxing Day gives us all a chance to win back some of the money that has gone on presents and food. That is because the Dragons face the Blaze at home, and there can only be one winner. You might not get rich by backing them but at least you can count on a little something.

The Dragons have won nine of 10 at home while the Blaze travel with a 1-9 road record. It doesn't get much plainer than that - Dragons in match odds for a guaranteed return on investment.

The most intriguing match-up of the round sees the Wildcats host the Crocodiles in Perth. Both teams are 10-10 for the season and destined to make post-season, so it's a tough call.

The teams have met three times already, with each team winning once at home while the Wildcats picked up a road success in the second match. Significantly, the Crocs go into the game having lost twice in as many days last round - to the Dragons and Spirit - so I will be laying them in this one.

Tips: Tigers to beat 36ers, Spirit to beat Hawks, Dragons to beat Blaze, Wildcats to beat Crocodiles.