Basketball On The Internet.

THIS WEEK'S TIPS

PERTH had a difficult week to negotiate with all that happened in Townsville and the resultant fall-out and, to be honest, didn't really put the Crocs away in the return bout with any great conviction. Last time in Wollongong, it escaped with a win, then smacked the Hawks around in Perth. This time, Illawarra won't lose its focus.

HARD to tell how Adelaide in Sydney will play out, given the extraordinary circumstances of Saturday's comeback win by the 36ers. Will the Kings be fired up for bungling a sure win? Or do the 36ers feel invincible facing this team after a record recovery? I'm leaning to the latter, but only just.

THE league already has admitted New Zealand was screwed in the final minute in Melbourne so hosting arch enemy Perth could not come at a better time. The Wildcats have a backcourt weakness without Damian Martin while that's where the Breakers boast Jackson and Webster. If the Breakers bigs can break even with Perth's frontline, this could complete the Wildcats' first consecutive double road losses of the century!

I'D be a lot more comfortable about Cairns' chances of inflicting Melbourne's first loss if the Taipans had backed up their great escape in Adelaide with a win in Wollongong. The good news is, Melbourne won't be travelling with its own referees so both teams will be stuck with whoever the lottery balls throw out. Containing Goulding, Blanchfield and Holt would be quite an achievement but with Wortho keen to do well, I'm sensing some orange appeal. Ah, why not?

TOWNSVILLE has had a justified case regarding the harshness of the draw but now has finally enjoyed a week off to prepare for an Adelaide which had to play Sydney on Thursday. It means the Crocs have no excuses but the 36ers at home at Titanium Security Arena, will take some beating now, especially with the frenzy new import Jerome Randle (below) has whipped up.

SYDNEY was too good for the Lightning in Adelaide before Carolyn Swords had settled in so it's tough to see them reversing a 17-point loss on the road against the Flames. Leilani Mitchell and Mikaela Ruef will be keen for big games in front of their former fans but an upset isn't on the cards.

SEQ put Melbourne away in Melbourne so it's hard to find any logical reason to expect that result to be reversed in Logan. The Stars haven't done a lot wrong and now with Bec Allen also playing, should make it 2-0 over the Boomers, unless Guy Molloy comes up with a master strategy to befuddle his old mate Shane Heal.

LAST time Dandenong hit Perth, the Lynx effectively ambushed the Rangers while sending a warning shot across the WNBL they were for real. This game shapes as a quality contest, but Dandenong should square this series. Footnote for my niece, Sara Blicavs. Just saw at the WNBL Upcoming Milestones site that you now are only 8 turnovers away from a landmark 250. The family is so proud of you and we know you can do it this game. A coupla quick travels, a pass to the lady in the fifth row, a nifty double-dribble, a charge or two ... let's get this done!

CANBERRA has been the season's under-achiever but it can break its drought at Adelaide's expense with the Lightning having to back up after playing in Sydney. Montgomery, Talbot, Bishop form a threesome capable of giving Lightning fits but Adelaide's defensive commitment has been exemplary meaning this will be tight. Canberra's freshness though will be the difference.

IN what may be the match-of-the-round - as usual there are multiple candidates for that mantle - Bendigo hosts Perth. Gabrielle Richards was a huge influence last round and will give Louella Tomlinson and Nat Burton a long day inside but Tessa Lavey's performance against a club where she could find only minimal minutes will be telling. Lavey-Kelly Wilson (pupil v teacher) should be significant, and while this should be close, home court could be the difference.

DEPENDING on which version of the Fire turns up - the back-to-back-chasing defending champion or the laid back "been there-done that" crew - will determine how well Melbourne competes. Townsville has responded well so far to its repeated slip ups, which looms as a problem for the Boomers. Then again, Bendigo played in Logan, then won in Townsville so it is doable. Just not sure the Boomers are playing well enough to join the party.