So just to clarify, if we win vs Syd and Melb we are in no matter how the other results go?

TimberBall - I believe you are correct.

Yes, correct.
According to the Wildcats:


"With two wins this weekend, the Wildcats give themselves a very good chance of securing second place on the ladder and home court advantage in the semi-finals.

The only team that could bump the Wildcats to third in this situation is the Cairns Taipans. If they beat the league-leading Adelaide 36ers twice this weekend AND Illawarra defeat Brisbane, there will be a three-way tie between the Wildcats, Taipans and Hawks. This leads to a "mini-ladder" tie-breaker situation, where Cairns go above Perth"

I'd be surprised if the Wildcats don't make it.

Say Illawarra beat Brisbane. We beat Sydney and lose to Melbourne. If that happens and:

-Cairns split with Adelaide and NZ beat Melbourne, we miss out.

Not holding my breath, put it that way. Save a bit of cash this year.

I observed if the Cats don't play selfish and increase assists, they will win.

Biggest culprits are the few main scorers (not consistent): Prather, Wagstaff and Knight.

Jarrod has to perform else he is heading home next year, his role taken over by Bragg.

Wildcats will have to be the hungriest they've been all season this weekend, we'll see how much they really want it

Cats have their destiny in their own hands. Both games are "winnable" (but not easy.) Win both, they are in like stink.
They have the best opportunity of any team (besides the 6's obs). Its up to them how hard they go after it. No excuses.

I'll also say, that whilst I think it would be kinda sad for the league to have the record streak end, having a finals series without the Cats would also be a great outcome for the league. Especially if Cairns do make it.

The best outcome for the league is for Perth and NZ out of the playoffs. From a marketing perspective.

Dazzamaniac??? No, just No. in no way is it BETTER for the league to not have its 2 biggest markets in the playoffs.

Cats still control their destiny but they need to pick up the intensity

Cairns split with Adelaide and Melb beat NZ, we make it.

-Cairns beat Adelaide twice and Melb beat NZ, we make it.

These two are most likely now. I reckon Melbourne can do the job with Casper and Goulding. They just need some support.

^^^ The game is in NZ though

Cairns will most likely split with Adelaide but

United v Breakers ?????????????????? too tough to call

What I mean by biggest markets is the amount of money the NBL can get, they can get more with a Perth crowd.

I don't know how much more money the NBL gets for a Perth final, as opposed to say a Melbourne final?

I obviously want the Cats in there, my point was just that if they don't make it, its probably more encouraging to the fans of other teams, especially the team that did.

Perth fans would expect the Cats to rebound, so we're not going to desert. But making the finals could be a huge boon to another team.

Heads will roll at the Wildcats if they don't make the finals.

Knight, Redhage, Prather, McKay, Hire, Wagstaff, Wroe had better watch out.

Centres next year will probably be Brandt and perhaps Jervis.

Anyone else think that Perth winning tonight's game is anything but a forlorn conclusion?

Not saying Sydney deserve it more or anything and I think it will be a really close game but it just hasn't been the same Perth team we've been accustomed to the last few years. Not that I'm a hater, I actually respect Perth's defence, toughness and physicality, but there's been a lot of bad about Perth this year: horrible offence, constant whining, inability to bury teams when ahead...and let's not forget having the honour of being the only team to cut the same player twice in a season!

I can definitely see Gazey riling up the troops and Newley/Lisch and perhaps even Moller stepping up to get Sydney an unlikely win in Perth tonight. Sydney don't play again so this is it for them.

"Foregone conclusion, maybe?"

Far from it, I'd say.





;)

If Illawarra lose to Bullets, 36ers beat Carins and Perth Beat Sydney but lose to Untied - we end up in 5 team mini ladder. Who goes through in that situation?

According to the NBL, if the Cats win tonight it will eliminate Melbourne. Will be a nice bonus for us if they have nothing to play for on Sunday.

If Perth beat Sydney but lose too United, Cairns lose to 36ers and Illawarra lose to Brisbane then Illawarra, Melbourne, Perth, Cairns and New Zealand all finish up on 14-14

Cairns would finish 2nd Breakers 3rd and Cats 4th. Hawks and United would miss the finals.

We need to win tonight. Simple.
We're at home, its our best shot.

If we win, MU have nothing to play for on Sunday, and that might make things easier.

Can the Wildcats make the finals if Brisbane and Adelaide win but Wildcats lose to Melbourne?

Yes. If Brisbane win they're in, otherwise they need to beat Melbourne.