Melbourne @ Gold Coast Preview
Gold Coast Blaze v Melbourne Tigers
Where and When: Wednesday 14 October, Gold Coast Convention Centre, 6.30pm (local)
Pre-Season:
Blaze: 5-4
Tigers: 7-3
Season So Far:
Blaze: 1-3
Tigers: 1-2
Past Three Head-to Head:
Gold Coast Blaze 107-116 Melbourne Tigers, Round 18, 2009
Melbourne Tigers 123-111 Gold Coast Blaze, Round 7, 2008
Melbourne Tigers 92-76 Gold Coast Blaze, Round 1, 2008
Season Series:
First match
Current Standings:
Blaze: 8th
Tigers: 7th
While we are still only a few weeks into the season, life has become a little uncomfortable for both Gold Coast and Melbourne.
The Blaze and Tigers have only one win each so far and this match is a good opportunity for either team to get back on track.
The stakes are a little higher for the hosts, who are on the bottom of the ladder with a 1-3 record.
A loss to Melbourne on Wednesday would generate genuine concern for Gold Coast, who would be stuck with a 20 percent winning rate from five matches.
But the Tigers are staring at a 1-3 record if unsuccessful against the Blaze and last year's grand finalists will be keen to get its season back on an even keel.
Unfortunately for the Blaze, history is against them as they have never beaten Melbourne since they were admitted into the competition two years ago.
And if an overall 0-5 record against the Tigers wasn't bad enough, Nathan Crosswell and Tommy Greer are expected back for the clash.
Gold Coast has been competitive in most of its matches so far this season, with James Harvey and imported duo Ayinde Ubaka and Erron Maxey all starring, but it has lacked that killer instinct.
Conversely, Melbourne started the campaign with a bang in beating title favourite New Zealand and almost beating the Breakers again on their home turf eight days later.
But the Tigers came crashing down on the weekend with one of their worst-ever performances that saw them humiliated by Townsville 103-68.
An aggressive response from Melbourne should be expected.
Luke Kendall is in fine touch and it would be extremely surprising if the likes of Mark Worthington, Sam Mackinnon and Daryl Corletto didn't respond positively to their quiet individual performances against the Crocs.
The inclusions of Crosswell and Greer will bolster the Melbourne line-up and the Tigers should continue their flawless record against the Blaze.
Sportal Tip: Tigers by 9
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