Norwood Flames (1-1, 5th) v Woodville Warriors (2-0, 3rd)
Friday April 19, 8.15pm at Mars

Two losses in 2012 against their bogey side ultimately cost the Warriors a return trip to the finals. Expect there to be no love lost when they head to Mars on Friday to do battle with the Norwood Flames in the curtain-raiser for Rivalry Round.

The Warriors, who have lost their last 12 against the Flames, have made a positive start to this season, defeating Eastern at home in Round 1 and North Adelaide away last week. The 86-83 win over North was their fifth straight at Hillcrest, four of which have been decided by three points or less.

Darren Ng (15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists) sealed the win with two late free throws, while Steve Pilkington starred with 22 points on 10/15 shooting and 10 rebounds.

The Flames began their campaign with a loss to Southern, but bounced back nicely with a 96-72 win over Eastern. Matthew Lycett was on fire with 35 points (15/22 FG, 5/8 3FG), while Ed Millard scored 15 and Daniel Webber 11.

All streaks eventually come to an end, so maybe a Friday Night Special is just what the doctor ordered for Dr Ng and his teammates.


Eastern Mavericks (0-3, 10th) v Central District Lions (2-0, 2nd)
Saturday April 20, 8.15pm at Adelaide Hills

The Central District Lions will be eager to continue their rich vein of form when they make the long journey to the south-east to take on the Eastern Mavericks.

The Lions sit in the top two and have won two from two. Kyle Miller has been outstanding over the opening couple of games. He has already posted totals of 54 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds, while his shooting percentages are sensational (54% FG, 40% 3FG, 83% FT). Chris Clausen also had a big game against the Tigers with 21 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks.

The Mavericks, who have lost their last two at home to the Lions and three straight overall, failed to make much noise over the weekend, with losses to Norwood and West leaving them at 0-3 and in equal last position.

Curtis Scipio (14.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.7 apg) has been a shining light so far, making the most of increased playing time. Haydn Barns had 11 points against the Flames while Shane Breheny added 16 against the Bearcats.

The Lions to win this comfortably.


Norwood Flames (1-1, 5th) v North Adelaide Rockets (2-1, 4th)
Saturday April 20, 8.15pm at Mars

The North Adelaide Rockets will be hoping to get one back on the Norwood Flames when the two sides collide at Mars.

Despite beating the Flames twice in the 2012 regular season, including a 45 point shellacking in Round 2, the Rockets were no match for the red and the blue come semi final time; the Flames running away with a 79-61 victory.

The Rockets have made a solid start to 2013, winning two of three. They still cannot seem to beat the Woodville Warriors at home, losing by three last Saturday. The following day, they held off the Sturt Sabres 98-89. Pero Vasilijevic had a couple of 20 and 10 games and was well-assisted by Joseph Campbell, who shot the ball at 64 per cent.
 
For the Flames, this will be a third home game in four starts and their second in two nights. Former Rockets Ed Millard and Matthew Lycett have so far been a productive duo, while Andrew Webber’s numbers (10.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 5.5 apg) are significantly better than last season, though his scoring can definitely go up a couple of notches.

This game could go down to the wire, and if it does, the Rockets should have more in the tank to get the job done.


Southern Tigers (1-2, 8th) v South Adelaide Panthers (0-3, 9th)
Saturday April 20, 8.15pm at Morphett Vale

The Southern Tigers have a must-win game ahead of them in their quest to return to the finals, with the South Adelaide Panthers joining them at Morphett Vale.

The Tigers have played some good basketball this season, but have only one win for their efforts, which came against Norwood in Round 1.

They were within two points of first-placed West Adelaide with 1:30 to go. However, they allowed the Bearcats three shots on the next possession, with Patrick Thomas effectively icing the game with a three-ball with 57 seconds remaining.

Samuel McDaniel (19 points, 8 rebounds) was the Tigers’ best. Remarkably, the Tigers outrebounded the huge Bearcats 52-39, but their efforts went unrewarded.

The Tigers were within six of Centrals at three quarter time the following day, but their tired legs could not sustain the pressure and they went down 67-81. Samuel Johns top-scored with 19.

The Panthers have had a difficult start to the season, losing all three games to North, Sturt and Forestville by at least 17 points. Tom McKenzie has been a shining light, averaging career-best figures of 21.3 points and 8 rebounds, to go with 3 assists. Shane Boal (14.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg) and Jordan Robertson (13.7 ppg, 8.3 rpg) are the other scoring threats the Tigers will need to watch.

The Tigers swept the Panthers in 2012 and should make it four from five overall once the 40 minutes are up on Saturday.
 

Woodville Warriors (2-0, 3rd) v West Adelaide Bearcats (3-0, 1st)
Saturday April 20, 8.15pm at St Clair

In the Match of the Round, the Woodville Warriors and West Adelaide Bearcats will be playing for top spot when they go head-to-head at St Clair.

These two rivals had similar results in their first two games. A big third quarter helped the Warriors to a comfortable Round 1 victory over Eastern, while West did most of the damage in the second quarter against Forestville, cruising to a win thereafter. The Warriors then came from six points down at half-time to win a thriller at North, while the Bearcats held off a fast-finishing Southern to emerge victorious in an equally exciting game at Morphett Vale.

The Bearcats won their Round 3 match against Eastern 79-55, despite missing Jason Cadee, who scored 32 against the Tigers. The Warriors will meet the Flames on Friday in hope of joining the Bearcats with a 3-0 mark.

Daniel Johnson (24.7 ppg, 51% FG, 11 rpg, 4.3 apg) has been doing it all for the Bearcats so far, hence the Warriors will be keen to limit his production as much as they can. Aaron Wyatt (15.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg) and Luke Stanbridge (6.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg) have been the starting forwards so far this season, however, they are both 15+ centimetres shorter than Johnson. Coach Al Green loves throwing traps and zones, so this may be the way to go.

At the other end, Anthony Spadavecchia seems a plausible matchup for sharpshooter Darren Ng, who at 14 ppg and 33% FG, is down on his normal production and due for a big one.

After losing both matches in 2011, the Bearcats turned the tables on the Warriors last year by sweeping the season series.

Bearcats in a close one.  


Forestville Eagles (1-1, 6th) v Sturt Sabres (1-2, 7th)
Saturday April 20, 8.15pm at Wayville

The Forestville Eagles will host the Sturt Sabres this Saturday in a rematch of the 2012 Grand Final.

However, it will only be a rematch for, at most, 10 of the 18 players who hit the court on September 1 last year, with Sturt’s Tom Daly, Tim Klausen, Darren Ng, Stefan Wright and Nathan Kareta, and Forestville’s Rashad Tucker, Brad Sullivan and James Boonstoppel no longer on their respective club lists.

So far, both teams have felt the effects of their losses. The Sabres are just 1-2, having beaten South, but lost to Centrals and North – two teams whom they swept last season. The Eagles have also beaten South, but looked out of sorts in a big defeat to West.

Import Matthew Dougherty, who joined the Sabres this season, has already become the team’s go-to player. After just 9 points on debut, he has averaged 21 ppg and 7.5 rpg over the past two matches. Sam Daly (16.5 ppg, 5 apg) and Hamish Burns (14 ppg, 5 rpg) have also stepped up.

For the Eagles, new import Jake Rios scored 23 points, including five three-pointers, in the win over South. Expect him to get better as the season progresses, once he starts to become more familiar with his teammates. Trent Fildes is currently averaging career best figures in terms of points, rebounds, assists and field goal percentage.

The Sabres had the wood on the Eagles for a while, however, the blue and gold have responded by winning five of their last six against their arch enemy. They should continue their good run this week, though the Sabres will fight to the end.