None of those games are guaranteed wins for the Kings or Hawks. Even the Razorbacks (probably the easiest opponent for each) could surprise them.

5th to 8th play a knockout game, so we want to be top 4.

Unfortunately, 3rd and 4th place then play the winner of the previous two games in a knockout game. Harsh. We could finish 3rd and get dumped in one game by a visiting team (Tigers and Crocs would both be dangerous).

We have to finish 1st or 2nd to be guaranteed a three game series but we have a chance given two games against the miserable Taipans, one against Brisbane at home, etc.

I hope we can move into one of the top two spots because losing in a knockout game would be horrible.

none of them hey? not even when the kings play the pirates? isaac give us a break will ya, im going by where the teams are on the ladder as this point in time, and as i said previously, they (hakws and kings) would MOST LIKELY win those amount of games.

the razorbacks wont be much trouble for them either by the way

john, well, no, none of those wins are guaranteed if you want to use the literal sense of the word. If you think they are, care to make a bet at extremely tough odds?

I didn't disagree with anything you've said, so I'm surprised you've become defensive.

Nov 6 2004: Pirates 90, Hawks 81 (they held the Hawks to 9 points in one quarter)

Dec 16 2004: Kings 97, Pirates 96 (Kings came from behind in the fourth to win by 1 at home)

So you're saying that the Kings are guaranteed to win in Newcastle, after it took a fourth quarter comeback for them to beat the Pirates in Sydney?

Sure, Sydney would be favourites to win with Bruton back, but I wouldn't be betting against any home team this year.

Look at the results recently:

- in-form Tigers barely hold off the struggling Breakers in Melbourne; win by 1.

- Kings take their full roster to Perth (Wildcats not playing very well recently, and certainly not well at home). Wildcats beat them by 15.

- Tigers visit Wollongong and beat the league-leading Hawks by 19.

- Sixers visited Sydney and, without Rychart, were close to (and should've beaten) the Kings.

That's from last round alone.

I agree with your tips, but all I was saying is that none of those wins are guaranteed and a string of losses for either team could leave us with a good opportunity to replace either team in the top two.

And, yes, the Razorbacks are duds, but the last time they hosted the Kings, they kicked their butts 93-76. The last time they hosted the Hawks, they beat them 96-82.

Last year the first round of the playoffs were on the Wednesday (Taipans v Wildcats) and friday (Tigers v 36ers) following the last round. The second round was played on the Saturday night (winner of Taipans v Wildcats v Razorbacks) and then Sunday night (Bullets v Tigers) after that I cant remember. It all depends on court availability.

Dates cant be confirmed until the actual teams are known, and venue availability confirmed.

The quarter finals are scheduled for 23-26 February (so winner of first lot of knock offs will have to travel and back up within 2 days)

Semi Finals are 1-6 March

Grand Final series 11-26 March

How much would tickets be?

Yogee, you wrote that venue availability has to be confirmed. If Adelaide has any problems, I'm sure Journo12 can pull a few strings to make the Icehouse available ..... and I might know more about the place than just where the Blue Lake is by then.

If you need the Icehouse, all you have to do is ask! Heck - the Power are coming to town next week!