Sixers by 4.

Teys will cover Creek and he has consistently rewarded the coach with good production when given minutes. He proved that last year.

Gibbo will know how to guard Ervin well.

Whilst Wilson cannot match Carson's speed, Wilson is a wiley veteran who can use his stronger body on Carson on the offensive end.

Peach will really need to hold his own against the likes of Davidson, Gruber and Balls. Those three pose a threat on the boards but Peach can't do it himself, Big Bird will have to help on the boards.

DQ's speed and range will trouble Davidson, Gruberm, Forman or Balls.

For Gods sakes please please do not let Forman open.

Not sure how a loss would get this season back on track Jack? This is a must win game for the Sixers.

Tornado, sometimes a loss can make a team rethink their approach and sharpen their pencil

Jack, they've had losses already and I'm sure they didnt even need those to realise they are behind the 8 ball and need to sharpen their pencil.

This is a must win game for more reasons than 1.

Unless a loss forced roster changes, but I don't think we'll see that unless Creek's diagnosis sees him miss more than a couple of games.

Would Dean be more likely to make roster changes if the losses keep piling up?

Tornado, as I said, I'm not sure that there are obvious changes they can make unless an opportunity presents itself (Australian cut in Europe) that sparks someone into wanting to spend more money on a team potentially already at the cap.

Maybe Ingles gets cut, Creek's out for months, and someone gets enthusiastic about making something happen. Or they notice that Rhys Martin hasn't gone to Europe and think he's worth a risk in doing something like swapping him in for Wilson and then getting a guy like Will Hudson for whoever - that's two transactions though.

why hawkss would leave a fully fit gruber out. their back court is solid with the imports. hill and demos can handle the ball at a pinch. having an extra big to provide spark and an inside target on the bench for games that nevill and davidson aren't performing would be a better option.

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/2642651/hawks-leave-gruber-out-again/?cs=302

I agree with you Isaac...was just putting it out there for comment and whether or not anyone closer to Dean would be aware if continued losses would force his hand to look at and make any possible changes...even if that meant going over budget?

Tbh I think it's a waste of money for the Hawks having all of Nevill, Ballinger, Davidson, Forman & Gruber on the team. You only need 4 bigs not 5.

Feel like I'm back in the Time Tunnel

"only" four to six weeks

A few players with duck eggs tonight...

Hawks really miss Gruber, hopefully he's back soon. Luke Neville's style doesn't really suit the Hawks other players.

I had full confidence the Sixers would win and that the team could cover the loss of Creek. Big Bird really stepped up as did the bench in general.

The Sixers just don't look like a bottom team to me.

The crowd could have been better. Anyone know how many people at the game?

really solid performance by several. gibbo led well. and that entertainment that lacked in last game, returned.

when you go on a run of 20-0, u wanna get behind the team and the right music gets that and gives a result.

pretty happy tonight and great weekend ahead that's for sure

Did not expect much from tonight and was really happy with the defense, especially from big Luke, and Gibbo after the half. Worried about Wilson, especially combined with the loss of Creek.

MC, official crowd 4,176. Did seem like a reasonable number for a school night

Add to that, loved BJ's game and tenacity. Teys has a great feel for the game. Daly solid in minutes on Court.

Wilson was better in the second half. DQ still looking nervous. Peach - not sure where his game has disappeared to so far this year.

What was the crap with the ref telling the cheer squad to move away from behind the backboard while Hawks were taking foul shots in the last quarter?? Never seen that happen before. Comments?

Couldn't make the game so only relying on the boxscore, but that looks like the game Adelaide need from Schenscher. Minutes and stats!

Few things I took out of tonight's Good Win

- Gibbo does it all and is a fantastic General and so consistent with his efforts.

- Schenscher is loving being the starting 5 man without DJ

- DQ is not up to it and a call MUST be made now if we are to be considered legit title chance.

- Ballinger still cant play D the poor bloke.

- Ervin was always going to play well. Top player in this league.

Ervin both kept the Hawks in it and blew them out of it when he was shut down and couldn't bring any of his teammates into the game.

What the stats don't show is the defensive pressure from Gibbo, Teys, Daly, BJ, and Schensh. Creek needs to be benched again and injected as needed. The team was so much more settled and looked liked last years team at times. Thought the atmosphere and music was much better and the 4,1K crowd got in to the game. Wilson great offensively, lacking in defence and leaves the back door wide open too often. At least 5 credited to his lack of peripheral vision. Fix that and maybe find a big replacement for Crawford and maybe they are set. Great to see some chemistry back in the team. Sorry Creeky, sometimes superstar athletes can unsettle everyone else's role and tonight that was evident. Loving seeing Teys at it again tonight and Daly working it too. BJs spin moves were a show bringing his Haka face to Ervin as well. Loved it. Sixers cranking it up.

Fantastic win.

The crowd was always going to be down being a Thursday game so I wouldn't worry about that.

4100 is pretty solid for a Thursday, I'm sure the league was taking note as it looks to potentially load the schedule to accommodate a better TV deal.

Who were the development players who got on?
Where was the guy from southern?

Atem Atem & Nathan Larkins got on for last few seconds. Sam Johns injured his ankle at training a week before Mitch did his.

It seemed to me that Montreal hasn't quite got where he is supposed to be on Court, both on Offence and Defence. He seems to be trying too hard, rather than just playing

only 2800 in NZ and they prefer those games - you would think Thursday night shopping in Adelaide would drag numbers down but thats pretty solid.

Regarding the crowd, I think we need to see more Thursday night games and even Wednesday nights.

To be honest, I would go to a Thursday or a Wednesday night game more than a Saturday night or Sunday game.

I love Thursday games in particular - sport is so commonly a weekend thing so when you go to a sport on a Thursday night it gives you that weekend feel.

Quick thoughts

Schens was awesome in all areas of game.
Gibbo - Outstanding game and best on court easily .
BJ -- Where has he been hiding those moves under ring.
Wilson - Got into the game especially 3 rd but his defensive efforts in 1 st half horrible. like most of our import PG holds the ball too long.
Petrie -- What is happening to one of my favourite players.
Montreal -- Not big enough - No shot - No defence - can't catch the ball and no moves. The sooner theory make the move the less embarrassing for all.
Crawford -- will be ok but don't understand why recruited as don't see what adds to team.
Daly - Teys did not do too much wrong.
Generous 4 k as seemed less

Was a good team effort from the 36ers and solid contributions from 1 - 9.
Ervin was the only one who showed up for Wollongong.

Was that the best game BJ has played as a Sixer?

Yep, that was his best game since he played the USA!

did anyone else notice the Sixers scrimmage last night with Ballinger, Hill, Ervin and Foreman suiting on court all at same time?

Loved that all players did their bits.
Big Luke awesome.
Daly pass first mentality great looking for open options, did well against the press.
Bj Anthony loves to spin. great hustle.
Wilson looked great in second half once he started passing a bit. I think when he drives and then dishes it gets the defenders guessing and then opens them up.
Teys had some big moments. Puts in 100%
Crawford had a patch where he looked really good.
Dq just needs a few games to get used to reading this level to learn when to go , cover or hang off, set screens, etc.
If confidence grows in this group, they will get on scoring runs before the opposition knows whats going on.

-'But how much of the 4k was due to it being a double header. No Lightning, less crowd?'

Yep, spot on....... Without the Lightning, 36ers only had 3997.....

Move on with the numbers already