NBL Action, Tottenham Spurs Run Riot and This Time Garnett's Buzzer Beater Counts

Sports Shmuck has just gotten back from his holiday to Perth. Great weather, great friends and an awesome time! The Sports Shmuck even attended Railway Stakes Day at Ascot which was unreal. Snipers Bullet taking out the 1 million dollar race, leading from start to finish. Great effort. I'm back now, enjoy the blog!

 

NBL ACTION

What a weekend of basketball Australia produced. Inconsistency is the word that springs to mind when thinking about this years NBL. Over the weekend there were a mixed bag of results that had fans across the nation scratching their heads. If someone is willing to explain some of these results please do so. 

1. Firstly, Cairns who had the most atrocious live basketball match shown on Fox Sports against Townsville last week somehow play the game of their lives against New Zealand. The Breakers came out firing in the first quarter taking a 9-2 lead and things were looking ugly for the Taipans. Cairns coach, Aaron Ferne, mixed up the starting lineup leaving Phil Jones and Rich Melzer on the bench. Didn't make sense seeing that the scoring output this season has been so bad. Maybe this tactic lured NZ into a false sense of security. Melzer had a blinder, easily the best game he has played all year. It actually looked like he wanted to be there and win! Cairns win 77-64. NZ still without a win on the road.
2. Two nights later New Zealand travel to Townsville to complete the second leg of the 'sunshine swing'. After watching NZ play on Wednesday night you would think that the Crocs would be sharpening their teeth to sink into the Breakers. The Crocs got a beat down by a more hungry NZ side. John Rillie returning to the 'Swamp' for the first time since his illustrious career there, helped spur on the Breakers to victory. I can bet you he was a happy man that night. Any chance to go to an old stomping ground and get the win is always satisfying. This was extra special for the team from across the Tasman as it was their first road win of the season. With Penney on the comeback they are going to be extra tough. NZ win 85-73
   
3. Gold Coast played host to the Perth Wildcats on Friday evening. Perth came out firing on all cylinders taking an 18 point lead at the half time break. Smooth sailing one might say. A third quarter meltdown by the boys from the West allowed the Blaze to produce a miraculous comeback and have the game all tied up at the end of the third quarter. How does a professional basketball team only score 5 points in a ten minute quarter? Sorry but that is pathetic, especially with the caliber of players on the Wildcats roster. The Blaze were too tough in the fourth. A big three with 40 seconds to go by Aaron Maxey put the Gold Coast side up by three. Mr Clutch K-Lisch tried to be the hero again but this time failed. Blaze 84-Wildcats 79. The Cats seem to be struggling on the road and need to pick their act up if they are to gain that top seed in the playoffs. I definitely would not like to be playing a Grand Final series at the Jungle. 
   
4. Finally the four game weekend came to an end with the bottom of the table clash between the Melbourne Tigers and the Cairns Taipans. Melbourne are desperate for a win, right? Obviously not! Cairns who got a big win against the Breakers take down the Tigers at the Cage. What is going on this year with the Tigers. A club with such a proud history has hit rock bottom. Was bringing in Julius Hodge the right decision? Is Anstey going to be able to take them back to the promised land? Or is it all too late for the Tigers? I think the season may just be over for the Tigers. Chris Anstey will come back but won't be in peak fitness and will not be playing 40 minutes a game straight away. Cairns with a big double this weekend. Can this keep up for the Taipans? I'm not a believer
   
 

 EPL RIOT

The Tottenham Spurs have run in an incredible 9 goals early this morning in their game against Wigan Athletic. I can't remember the last time 9 goals have been scored by the one team in the EPL. It must be some sort of record Anyone care to share if there has been? Jermaine Defoe scored 5 of the 9 goals. Check out the highlights from the 9-1 victory. There were six goals scored in a 20 minute period. Now that is entertainment!
PHOTO: www.foxsports.com.au 

NBA ACTION

 

Kevin Garnett has shown everybody that his buzzer beater was no fluke against the Warriors by producing a shorter version against the Knicks. The Celtics fought back from being 8 points down at one stage in the third quarter against a spirited New York side. Boston coming off a loss at home to the Orlando Magic penciled this in as a must win game on the calendar. They were lucky to get out alive. Al Harrington hitting two free throws with 4.7 seconds left in regulation sent the game into overtime. With limited time left on the clock, Paul Pierce runs a simple pick and roll with KG, takes a dribble to his right, and gets double teamed. Pierce uses his smarts and kicks it out to an open Garnett who drills an open jumper from just inside the three point line. New York are kidding right? How does someone get so open when the game is on the line? That's the Knicks for you this year, they don't know how to win close games! Check out the game winner below.

PHOTO: nba.com