KingJames
Years ago
Hawks vs Taipans
Tonight's game which will be shown on foxtel should be a good game. So far the odds on the game are Hawks @ $1.65 for the win with Taipans @ $2.20 for the win.
Hawks currently have a 4-1 record at home and there seems to be some perceived knowledge that the Hawks are hard to beat at home as shown by their current home record and thats why they are favourites to win this game. However, if you look at who they have played at home it doesn't seem that impressive:
Hawks 98 def. Blaze 96 (Last)
Hawks 105 def. 36ers 95 (Second to last)
Hawks 85 def. Wildcats 82 (6th.. after playing so many road games)
Hawks 95 def by. Dragons 114 (First)
Hawks 111 def. Spirit 99 (7th however spirit shot 20 more shots then them so looks like they shot them selves in the foot)
Cairns are currently 4th and Hawks are yet to beat a team that high. Also Cairns aren't bad on the road having beaten NZ and Blaze in the first game of the season when they would have still had confidence. Their away record is below:
Blaze 75 def by. Taipans 85 (Last)
Crocodiles 100 def. Taipans 96 (5th... Taipans lead by 18 at half time.. outscored in the last 13 to 30)
Breakers 111 def by. Taipans 122 (Second)
Dragons 94 def. Taipans 65 (First)
Obviously Taipans got slaughtered last week but that should make them extra motivated this week. On the other hand the Hawks did lose to Sydney by 12, so they will be looking to bounce back with a win.
If you look at the two teams you will see Cairns have a much better team.
Taipans Starters: Crosswhite, Abney, Thomas, Mee, Cook
Hawks Starters: Tragardh, Rychart, Saville, Campbell, Franklin
Taipans Bench: Cattalini, Grabau, Boodnikoff, Williams, Vale
Hawks Bench: Tait, Davidson, Petrie, Jackson, Martin
I think Taipans will win it with their defence. Saville will be guarded by Thomas, Cattalini. Franklin will be guarded by Mee, Grabau. Rychart to be guarded by Abney. On the other hand, the Hawks Coach Cook has got the Hawks playing good team ball and they have about 6 players averaging double figures so they aren't short of scorers. Cairns have Stephen Black out who was their leading scorer and they struggled to score against the Dragons (however they are currently first). Perhaps Taipans might lose as they don't have enough consistent scorers with Black out? Also Taipans are the worst in the league at Assist whilst hawks are the second best team in the league in assist.
What are other peoples thoughts on the game?? Who do you think will win?
