Is SBS using the NZ commentary team?

Looking forward to seeing these Breakers imports, Sosa in particular.

Yeah, usual Kiwi commentators.

Interesting the benches in Adelaide and NZ have moved so we can see them on TV, i wonder if this was a request for TV. Also Henare looks strange in a suit.

Is there a site other than nbl.com.au for live stats?

This is some pretty ugly basketball so far. Turnovers and missed shots at the basket for both teams...

If the refs keep calling all these fouls for rebounding contests its going to be a long season.

Hate it

Also so far this season it's nearly a guaranteed free throw if you get inside the key in traffic.

Neither of these teams will play finals ball.

What was the tech foul about? Did Ferny gob off at the poor refereeing?

Manu, try the NBL app. Good option for box scores and play by play.

Tech foul for backchaat to the ref. NZ looks way on top here and look to be getting some home cooking. NZ should run away with this.

Cairns are awful. Many chances but can't get closer than 5. NZ should break this wide open.

That's tough on cairns. Three pointer should had countered because the three ball went is as the foul was committed on the gloor.

Have you looked at the foul count, Wilburs? NZ's first half play isn't sustainable.

Do the umpires realise we want to watch players play, no get called for tit for tat crap all game?

Had a stretch where they were awful but they've woken up. NZ has too many players on 4 fouls to make a physical impact. Impressive from Cairns.

Cheers Isaac. I didn't try the app, but I assume it feeds off the site?

Went back online in the second term

Cairns just needs to use the clock and find a shot

Going to be a long season for the Breakers I'd say.

Hell we are going to struggle to stay in games!!

That's close to the worst officiated NBL game I have ever seen, and I realise how much stiff competition there is for that title.

That was plain baffling and ruined the game as a spectacle from the outset.

I disagree, @paul. I think the refs have been surprisingly consistent across the games this first round. The Breakers don't seem to have watched any games, as they haven't accounted for how the whistle is being blown.

Not everyone enjoys a game where offense isn't allowed to flow like a Lakers Showtime era NBA game. There were periods of the Syd Adel game where defence was almost non-existant. The Snakes showed how to stay with a team, and over ran both Hawks and Breakers this weekend, while still putting up pretty good numbers in the end, themselves.

I like it!

I thought the reffing in the first three games was good, especially Adelaide v Melbourne which was excellent.

Perth v Brisbane was a major departure from how Scott Butler has got them calling the game, letting both teams get away with a lot of grabbing and pushing ala 2011-13.

Today was reminiscent of the first half of last season when a lot refs just called a foul whenever there was contact. I thought things had moved on, but today was just local junior level reffing.

I like how aggressive we've been attacking the rim, and Stevie Weigh has low key turned into a low post beast.

More than low-key, Podge. Going to him first in games.

yeah i think he had the first 3 shots both games. Defensively he's been great as well.

Probably now is, if his form keeps up, where do you bring MC in at when he's healthy?

Bench Glidz maybe. He's been morning but disappointing. For the last 2 years.

haha never! I'd move to Townsville before I'd support benching Glidz.

MC would make a better 5 than a 2 anyways - especially against a team that runs a stretch 5 and/or run that high PR.

You probably end up with better rim protection than any other lineup given his mobility and reach.

I didn't see Carrera in any preseason action. Thought it was interesting that Fearne kept his options open regarding keeping Evans in the longer term.

I've said for a long time that Stevie should play lots more 4, btw.

If he's going to be out for a while, Jerry would be great Jawai cover.

Jerry's as Aussie as Tai Wesley, so there should be no problem with the rules.......

I have to admit, 'Podge, I wasn't thinking about cover for Jawai, but instead of the return of Carrera. I just have the feeling Fearne went cold on Carrera as soon as he arrived.

In the presser in Auckland Fearne referred to Carrera as someone who will be a major piece, so going by that I think he still has him in his plans.

@paul, I didn't see that presser. That certainly puts a different perspective to it.

We haven't seen too much of Evans; I'd say he can certainly hold his own, though. He has a good degree of self-confidence, without showing the out and out swagger that a certain import we had last season showed. The difference being that import didn't have the ball control or the mental control to contain himself, whereas Evans seems to play at a level where he's prepared to have a crack, but not try to go far beyond his capabilities. I wouldn't mind betting he finds a home in the NBL at some stage. He certainly is better than some of the options clubs have turned up over this and last season.