Ballinger and Maher were targets in the last match up and the rest of the team struggled a bit besides perhaps Ng in that third quarter (from memory). Certainly going to be a tough game.

This will be a real test for Ng. Many people have suggested that Darren cannot handle the Kings style of defence. He did really well earlier in the season against them (16 points) but people have still criticised him. It will be interesting to see if the Kings give him a bit more "attention" this time round.

I think the best case we can hope for is for the game to be washed out and abandoned.

Sixers had a 'reasonable' showing against Sydney in Sydney earlier in the year, but the Kings have dominated the competition since then. They are a team that plays with 48 minute intensity and great team spirit.

Sydney to pump the Sixers like the professional ball club that they are.

The difference? I suspect it will be Maher not yet having the touch, Chappell hopeless, Copeland not as good as last week, Ng unable to contain Smith, Sutts not up to NBL level, Burdon too much a rookie, Motts fouling out early (this is Sydney after all, the masters of drawing fouls), Coops not giving much offensively and Dench turning in his usual performance. Davidson and Ballinger will both turn in serviceable performances though.

The best we can hope for is that Chappell's blood tests show that he has been hanging with Ben Cousins and he actually brings some energy to the floor.

I think Worthington needs to made a priority as he is Sydney's best offensive weapon. We should have recruited an import with matchups like this specifically in mind but we obviously didn't so I'm not quite sure how we are going to stop Wortho. Last time these 2 teams met he had 25 on 73% shooting.

Sixers lost by 18 in Sydney although Davidson wasn't playing. Maher and Ballinger had very poor games and you'd expect at least Ballinger to have a better showing. Unsure how Maher will go given his layoff and you wouldn't want to risk playing him 40+ minutes lest he reinjures his calf.

I don't think the Kings will blow the Sixers out but will comfortably control the game to win by about 10 in the end. Our only hope is if Chappell has some iron tablets at half time to get him through the second half which in turn gives him the ability to move his feet fast enough to guard Worthington and also the ability to hit open three point shots.

Im quietly confidnet about this game but wouldnt be surprised with the match going either way. Sixers will have to play more accoutbale d than last time they played Sydney and react better to the kings pressure to be in the game

Top team, tough team to beat. But there has been some upsets this season. May have a chance with Maher back and Ballinger fit. Maybe Ng,Copeland at three with Chappell minutes off the bench.

You'd hardly put the house on Sydney. Can remember a few times that they've come here and been surprised.

Should be another good game I think.

Sydney to win by as much as they want to IMO.

Ballinger will win out against the bigs from Sydney - but probably wont get enough of the ball to make a big enough impact to cahnge the result.
Maher back will be good - but he has been out for a few weeks and will need a un and to get his touch back, also having him back will most probably reduce Ng's impact on the game.
Davidson will be a spark - but I feel he will largely be nullified by the Kings guards.

This leaves the SF position....where we have Wortho and at times Saville. Both of whom will torch the sixers with Worthington having his way with whoever steps up to guard him

Hope Im wrong and the Sixers can continue with teh spark and energy they displayed against the Pigs...but I dont think its going to be pretty

kings by 12 pts

"Who are the threats from the Kings?"

Pretty much all of 'em

DICKO, agreed. Or whoever Chappell is guarding.

Shit, it'll be Worthington. He always kills us and he's shot badly for 2-3 games. Christ, I'm not even going now!

Kings will trap Davidson and force him to give up the ball early, meaning Ng and Chappell will have to make the big plays. They made Ballinger a non-factor last time, and if they do that again we'll be gone.

But, if we play the same up tempo style last as last week, we have a very, very, very small chance.

"Kings will trap Davidson and force him to give up the ball early"

While this has been a tactic for the last few weeks Maher's return brings a very solid ball handler onto the court, which will help Davidson who last week relied on COOPER(did a great job though i was impressed). Burdon also provided alot of help with this as he runs up the court hard in the same way Davidson will.

I think we have a chance with this game, Maher and Davidson havent played together for AGES, and put on a real good show when they have. Even with Maher out for a few weeks, I dont remember his having many bad games after only a short stink like this on the sidelines.

hopefully chapp shuts down saville and or worthington for the full game like he did ingles in the first 3 quarters last time the dragons were in town.

maher has been full training for over a week and a half now so id expect him to play a fair bit. he definately stretches the defence so should make it easier for ballinger to get inside looks.

just depends if the refs decide to call the questionable sydney hands on physical defence, not always pretty basketball. Last time sydney were it town the refs were terrible and let everything go but then called the soft ones on us..

if we leave BJ carter exposed on the 3 like we have let a few guys from other teams this year its going to be over.

Lets fire up and play 48 minutes of intense basketball. dont let it slip and we should give it a really good crack. they all match up nicely and if anything we look stronger on paper. thats all were asking sixers. please not a repeat of the crocs game.

looking forward to it. I cant wait....

I'm with Statman, Kings will win by as much as they deem necessary.

Kings by 25. Worthington 25 and 10 and the guards to score the rest. Maher will score 20ish and Ballinger 30ish

igotmadskills, we look better on paper? Big call against the top side in the league.

You have current Boomers players in Smith, Hinder, Saville, Kendall, Worthington

It is a very even and balanced side that, unlike us, does not rely on one or two stars to get us over the line. They don't even particularly rely on their imports, Draper and IV, even though they are pretty good. And then, love him or hate him, you have them led by the formidable Goorj, who just keeps getting it done.

Thay don't always play the prettiest basketball, but Sydney are very good. I know that if I was to start up a team from scratch I would be looking at most of the Sydney roster before casting my eye to Adelaide.

Who was the last team to start both of their imports on the bench like the Kings? No team immediately springs to mind.

Sixers don't think they've got anyone to play in Chappells spot.

"You have current Boomers players in Smith, Hinder, Saville, Kendall, Worthington"

Fair statement until you remember Gorjian is the coach of both teams and has a habit of placing his players in the Boomers team over more talented and suitable players.