NBL Basketball / Andy Morris / 16 October 2008 / Leave a comment Bet Now

Now the only Sydney franchise in the NBL, the Spirit looks like it is gelling together nicely going into Round Five, writes Andy Morris.

Many observers expected Sydney to struggle this season, and must have been smiling smugly when they got off to an 0-3 start, with defeats to the Tigers, Hawks and 36ers.

But full credit coach Rob Beveridge for the way he has put his stamp on this team, and they are showing strength in times of adversity.

When the only professional basketball team in Sydney can only draw 1,322 for a home game, it is a major worry for the future of the league, let alone the franchise.

Yet though the club's hopes that they would capture former Kings fans seems to have fallen flat, the team have recently been able to put their troubles aside and win their last three games.

They turned around their season with a seven-point win over Adelaide in Round 2, overturning the loss they had suffered at the hands of the same team just three days before.

It took a big effort in the final quarter, which they won 38-23, to get them over the line that night at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, but they have gone on to record wins over the Blaze and the Wildcats.

Those wins should not be overstated, coming as they did against the bottom two teams on the ladder, but at least Sydney now has a winning record at home to take into the meeting with the Dragons.

The Dragons have won three of four games on the road so far, impressively accounting for the Blaze and the Hawks within three days in Round 3.

Sydney could well be the kind of team that muddles around on the middle of the ladder for most of the season, concentrating on staying alive financially.

The Dragons can be taken in match odds betting here, as they look to close the gap on Townsville and New Zealand at the top.

The Wildcats are only kept off the bottom of the ladder by Gold Coast, but two of their three wins have come at home.

Significantly they saw off the Hawks 105-92 at Challenge Stadium in Round 3, so they should repeat that feat against a team that has lost both its away games so far.

Another easy game to predict sees the Breakers host the Blaze, who are without a win from their five games so far.

New Zealand has a strange fixture list which has seen it play at home in its first five matches. The 122-111 defeat to the Taipans last time out was their first reverse, but they should get back to winning ways without too much problem here.

Having tipped Perth to win once this round I will not be chancing my arm twice, and the Crocodiles should account for them on their home court.

Townsville has won both its home games so far, while the Wildcats have lost three of four away from home. It should be a regulation win for the Crocs.

The Hawks are another team that benefits from playing at home, and should be able to get past the 36ers in Wollongong, the visitors having lost all three away from Adelaide so far.

The most intriguing clash of the round sees the South Dragons host the Tigers at Hisense Arena. The teams boast identical 4-2 records going into the round, and their points percentage is close also.

The Dragons sat out the last round while the Tigers, stunned by the Wildcats at home, recovered to beat Adelaide next time out. Home court advantage could count this time, so take the Dragons.

Finally in this round the Taipans can account for the Blaze, maintaining Gold Coast's awful season. Cairns needs a good victory to keep them on pace with the leading side as they sit fifth on the ladder.

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