Snakes certainly a chance, certainly with the Gillespie crap going on. No Bolden who has been good off late is a loss. I'm expecting a very close game, OT win to snakes .

Everyone talks about the Breakers and PJC, but probably a better indicator is Mooney. If you stop him, you win. If he gets going it's a long night.

Good quality game so far.

The game ending with lots of love for Gillespie. Very well deserved. Seemed like a bit of a farewell. Wish him all the best.

Roberts 33 pts, Mooney 15 pts, Mooney man-of-the-match. Go figure. Is it too late for a challenge?

Edward's has great skills and athleticism, but he’s a hot head. The foul on Lopez was unnecessary. Mooney closed out the game, on the other hand.

The Gillespie situation is a strange one. I am not his biggest fan, but he is now settled into the league and rotation. Tacko, if he is indeed Gillespie’s replacement, probably offers more upside. But it’s risky. The Breakers don’t need a star in that position and Gillespie has been solid rebounding, has shown great foot speed and hand speed on the perimeter, and a serviceable mid range game. When you add him alongside Bolden and Lopez, it’s a long athletic front court that’s extremely hard to score against.

Speaking of Bolden, he may not have had big numbers on the box score but the Breakers are missing his presence big time.

Yeah I didn't think I'd be singing boldens praises but the way he's adapted his game for the team has been as impressive as his recent rebound stats

I liked the way gillespie played his role from the outset but it was obvious that the breakers expected more scoring from him even though he'd never shown that prior to coach kop signing him. It reeks of Walsh's influence extending too far if you ask me

Just got home from the game, what a shitshow. neither side will play finals, but the reffing was well below par.
After Fordey blew up at the refs in the first quarter, they copped the next five fouls in a row (with the refs only reffing one end of the floor) and also in the last quarter Cairns up to five quick smart and NZ not called for any foul until the two minute mark.
Also after the managed to ensure that Edwards and Groves were out of the game.
No wonder Edwards gets frustrated, its pretty obvious they don't like him. It will be interesting if he stays in Australia next year and finishs up at Sydney or Melbourne, He will find that he suddenly won't be get called for those fouls anymore.
Cairns were terrible in the main, but NZ wern't much better. Armstrong was average, hopefully the NBA scouts won't see that game, His Turnovers matched his points and his leadership was non existent. Fordes subbing remains a mystery but i am sure there must be some reason for his Madness??? if only we knew.
NZ also a fragmented team, the only reason Cairns were in the game was the brillance of Edwards and the incompentence of the NZ side. Their turnovers were just as bad as Cairns, in fact probably worse. If the Refs had not ensured the Edwards did not stay on the floor, I am pretty sure Cairns would have won.
Interesting that across the league the refs have come under fire for only reffing one end of the floor, inflated foul counts and freethrows have become the new norm. I did not pay my membership fees to see Refs trying to set new records for how incompetent(or Bias)they can be. I was hopefully that i would get to see the athleticism and ability of the players.
In Perth the other night Cotton had more Freethrows then the entire SEM Team (14 to 10) Team 30to 10 ??

seems to becoming the norm these days.

Edwards ensured Edwards wasn't on the floor, not the refs lol. Couple of absolute bone headed fouls saw him watching from the bench especially that pointless 4th one on Lopez. His 5th was challenged unsuccessfully and for good reason. The guy’s a great scorer but has zero discipline.
Cairns dragged NZ down to their level and turned the game into a scrappy grind and NZ still came out on top on the road.
The Breakers are 7-3 and sitting top of the ladder with 3x guys out injured 2 of which had been starting so you are half correct Haveachat, Cairns won’t be playing finals.

Forde should have got a technical for his behaviour. The league needs to crack down on coach abuse. I can understand where in a late game situation on a 50/50 call coaches can become emotional, but it's hard not to think many coaches are trying to bully referees. It needs to stop because it’s unprofessional and looks terrible. Groves is not NBL import standard and gave away some stupid fouls too.

Cairns also need to be able to involve other players when Edwards is playing well. Yes, he is difficult to stop. But so was Carlos Powell. Waardenburg, Armstrong and Antonio could offer much more, but need a structured style to get their opportunities.

every seen a ref get a techical, No. who control them. oh thats right they do. we all make mistakes, but i have never seen a Ref get a fine or suspension, worse results is they may miss a week or get the shit game of the week.
they are a protected specie that can severely impact on a player or Coach's ability to earn a living.They want to be treated with respect, but no way it that a 2 way street. they have all of the power and are happy to use it. old saying is that if you can't play or coach, next best is to ref.
I have never yet seen any sport advertise who the refs will be to get people to go to a game, they are a necessary evil, But the (growing) percentage of "Look At Me"Refs is making it difficult for the few good refs that left in the game.
Am i bitter, Yes. Am i right also yes.
Finally Mystro,
as to be being half correct, you also are only half Smart

I'm not the one blaming refs for a loss especially when the Taipans have won 3x games all season.
Sure injuries have affected them but the same could be said of other teams.

interesting that the 3 games they did win was against the top teams, but i noticed you avoided the main gripe of the rant.
Basically all coaches have complained about the complete disparity of foul calls and free throws across a variety of games.
allowing for the coach bias, the stats certainly back up the opinion that the refs are having an undue influence on the results of some games.of course the stats could be completely wrong and who would think that our refs could (would) in any way allow their personal opinion to affect how they called a game. now if you believe that i have a bridge you may be interested in purchasing.
or maybe a basketball team!!!

I walked past Groves in Cairns Bunnings on friday & asked him where the tape section was LOL

Is Adnam injured? Doesn't play him in a game we needed someone to hit some shots - especially once the refs fouled edwards out.

Cairns is NBL 1 tean plus Edwards. Very ordinary...