Smooth Pockets
Years ago
Home-court Wildcats a lock to beat spread (AFL)
Article by Trevor Marmelade in today's Herald Sun, I found it slighly amusing anyway.
Home-court Wildcats a lock to beat spread
26 May 2006 Herald Sun
THE race for the pennant is hotting up. Let's preview Richmond at Geelong.
Buoyed by last week's shock win, the Tigers, led by Kane "Magic" Johnson are on the road, strengthened by the inclusion of franchise player Nathan Le Brown, who is back in the rotation after six weeks on the injured reserve.
With the prospect of Alonzo Tambling also due for reactivation, they look ready to take on cross-town Southern Conference rivals, the Wildcats, who enjoy home-court advantage.
Both teams have struggled on offence, with Admiral Richardson leading the Tigers in points scoring, He is shooting at 58 per cent, both from the field and from beyond the arc.
The Wildcats will be looking for more production from Sacramento Kingsley, who has struggled since his return to the roster. He will again have his hands full with a likely match-up against Kareem Abdul Gaspar.
Ervin Chapman and Darnell Riccardi pose a threat from downtown, as do Lamar Tivendale and Jamaal Bowden, who also leads the side in rebounds. So the encounter is likely to be won and lost at the jump balls.
With C.J. Ottens likely to have the edge at the tip-offs over Lanard Simmonds, the Wildcats look to be a lock to beat the spread.
For the Tigers, the best chance of busting the game wide open appears to be sophomore DeShawn Deledio, who can expect to be double-teamed by Dwight Rooke and Yao Ling.
So he will need support from freshman Smush Raines, who has been a revelation since he got the call-up from the minor leagues.
Coach Wallace will be hoping for Air Pettifer and Rashad Krakouer to match Kobe Ablett Jr and Chauncey Bartels for points in the paint, or they risk slipping further behind on win-loss ratio in their division.
On the plus side for Chip Wallace, the Wildcats have lacked a dominant presence since Cuttino Mooney found himself in foul territory and was ejected by the officials, then deactivated by the judiciary.
With both of these outfits facing a tough schedule, they need wins down the stretch if they are to stay in the race to make the playoffs. That should ensure that this one goes right down to the wire.
Tip-off time: 2:10 Eastern, 2:40 Central. Pre-game show one hour before. Check your local guides.
