Townsville McDonald's Crocodiles v Hood Sweeney Adelaide 36ers
Where and When: Wednesday 10 February, Townsville Entertainment Centre, 7.30pm (local)
Past Five Games
Crocs: WWLLW
Sixers: LLLLL
Past Three Head-to Head
Adelaide 36ers 87-88 Townsville Crocs, Round 18, 2009/10
Townsville Crocodiles 100-88 Adelaide 36ers, Round 10, 2009/10
Adelaide 36ers 90-89 Townsville Crocodiles, Round 3, 2009/10
Season Series
Townsville Crocodiles 2-1 Adelaide 36ers
Current Standings
Crocs 15-11 (2nd), Sixers 10-16 (8th)
Victories against the competition's bottom two sides has allowed Townsville to move into second spot on the ladder and give it an unexpected chance to finish the season on top.
The Crocs won in a nail-biter the last time they faced the Sixers and on Saturday they recorded a convincing 89-76 win over the Cairns Taipans.
Against the Taipans, Russell Hinder (18 points) and Brad Williamson (17) were in good form from outside the arc while Corey 'Homicide' Williams was also effective with his own haul of 17 points.
Recent form lines suggest Townsville will win this match easily but the Crocs are aware the Sixers remain a dangerous side. Two of the teams' three matches this season have been decided by a point with the Sixers pinching a win up in Townsville back in Round 3.
Another two victories could see Townsville claim top spot but back-to-back losses would see it spiral down the ladder so there'll be no complacency from the home side.
There'll be no spiralling down the ladder for Adelaide which has hit rock bottom with five losses in a row.
The Sixers have never collected the wooden spoon before so they'll be desperate to win their last two matches in a hope it'll see them rise from the foot of the ladder.
The Crocs beat them in their last encounter in Round 18 but the Sixers led by 11 points during the final quarter and showed they can still produce a brand of basketball that troubles the top sides.
Matt Burston top scored with 17 points, Cortez Groves (16) and Adam Ballinger (14) were the next best contributors.
The Sixers won't be easy beats but the Crocs are sure to be hungrier than their opposition at home.
Sportal Tip: Crocs by 11.
