Melbourne are just flying right now, 7-0 to start the season! New Zealand are clearly not. They are just far to inconsistent from week to week. However they have typically lifted for matches against the Storm and have proven to be somewhat of a "Bogey" side for the Storm. Most recently knocking them out of last years finals!
With the season coming to an end it has been difficult to find value or more so which teams are actually motivated and will turn up to play! I was very nearly going to pull up stumps for the regular season and get into the playoffs but quickly changed my mind with this match up!
Indiana requires just one more win to clinch that 3rd seed in the East! Huge achievement from this club and this seed is exactly what the want. The opportunity to get Orlando in the 1st round minus Dwight. Indiana has been on an incredible run winning 7 in a row and 11 of their past 12!
As I stated above the Eagles were well rested last week and went through not much more than a training drill. Woosha clearly had these hawks on his mind and prepared beautifully! West Coast has actually had the easiest draw to start 2012! With wins over the Bulldogs, Demons and Giants. This one will be a big step up.
Boston will be playing their 6th game in 8 nights here as they travel to Atlanta in what looks to be a preview of the opening round of the Playoffs. Well the teams may be the same but the Players tonight are anything but! Boston with Rondo and Allen already missing with injury, but news in also is they are resting KG and Pierce also!
Fremantle are yet to prove themselves on the road and in particular here under the roof at Etihad winning just 3 of 21. While St.Kilda are right at home on this ground and against the Dockers in particular winning their past 8 matches! But things are different now....
Portland are officially out of the playoff race with their most recent loss ending their 2012 season. The Blazers have shut up shop now with most of their regular starters out. Aldrige is already done for the year, Crawford is out for personal reasons, Felton is injured and Batum is a game time decision. This leaves a very inexperienced side to take on the desperate Jazz!
The Celtics are great value here I believe as they are the better side in most areas. Sure they are playing their 4th road trip but due to great list management were able to rest the big 3 against their last win over the Bobcats. In fact Allen, Garnett and Pierce stayed in New Jersey, so have actually had no travel and 2 days rest! As I have stated in the past this is huge for anyone, but the Celtics respond just that bit better with rested legs!
Both these clubs are sitting 6th & 7th in the East right now so needless to say every game is important. Philadelphia need to find some form and get their consistency back as they have been very patchy late winning just 2 of past 7 games. They were beaten by Orlando in their last meeting around a week ago on their home floor so I expect the Sixers to be keen on some pay back here tonight!
The Crows are undefeated so far in 2012. Winning the NAB Cup and their first 2 matches of the season proper. While wins against the Suns and Bulldogs is hardly anything to get excited about they are clearly performing a better game plan and seem to be harder at the contest than previous years. Today will be a real test as to where this group sits.
The Sharks are in their best form over many years. Arguably in as good a form as the top sides in the comp. This is all down to the players buying in on what their coach is selling. Its clear these guys are all on the same page, doing their job and playing for each other as a team. Something the Eels should learn from because they are clearly not!
Boston head to New Jersey on b2b games here coming off a very disappointing loss to the Raptors on the road last night. Once again this is a must win for the Celtics as the competition for playoff seeds heats up! Boston currently hold onto the 4th seed in the East, But that loss has now left the door wide open for Atlanta and Orlando. 
While Port have been impressive in their start to 2012, winning their opener against St.Kilda and competitive against the Bombers. I'm not convinced. They are still a relatively young side and with all young sides will have their ups and downs. They have been up for two straight weeks to start the season and rightly so but I feel a let down is on the cards here against the more matured Swans.
I'm taking advantage of Sportsbets "Friday the 13th" offer here that in h2h bets if your team losses by >13 you get your money back. So in effect have a 13pt safety net which I love in this match!
Really like Philadelphia here in Toronto tonight! The Sixers got their groove back last night and carry on with it here. While they are on b2b games due to the easily win this wont be an issue, even so I'm taking them in the 1st half only as they are one of the best starting teams.
Chicago and New York meet again after playing each other just days ago in a classic which the Knicks held on to beat the Bulls by a point in OT! Chicago were disappointing in many areas of this game. Their shooting was off with Rose one of the main culprit's. They struggled on the boards as Chandler proved to big a force on defense and Deng was totally out played by Melo!
Manly look to bounce back from and ordinary start to 2012. The Sea Eagles have had to face a number of obstacles to begin their title defense but have now lost 3 in a row and none more demoralising than last weeks defeat at the hands of the Eels! This is a very proud group and look for them to bounce back strong. A game at Brookie is just whats needed.
Geelong will be without Scarlett who is suspended and are still missing Josh Hunt and Wojo from their back half. But with the likes of Taylor, Lonergan, Enright, Mackie down back they have plenty of experience and leaders to guide the way. Geelongs biggest concern this season will be in the ruck. An area the Cats have gone from very strong to extremely limited. Ottens and Blake retired and now young ruck man Vardy and Simpson are both on the long term injury list. This leave West to carry the load and 29yr old rookie Orren. It is unfair to judge this pair last week against the best in the business Sandilands and will find it much easier today as the Hawks have issues in this department also.
The Storm are in arguably their best form over the past few years right now. Winning all 5 games of 2012. This will be probably their biggest test to date. The Cowboys while have been a bit shaky to start the year, are always dangerous at home. This should be a great match up between both fullbacks Slater v Bowen. The key play makers Thurston and Cronk.
The Lakers are on a 4 game winning streak and are coming off a big motivational victory against home town rivals the Clippers. After all the hype the Lakers still hold the #3 seed n the West right now and will be keen to hold on to it and finish above the Clippers.
Chicago may or may not have D.Rose back for this huge match but either way I like the Bulls to get back on track against the Celtics. Boston are on B2B games here coming off a tough 1pt loss to the Spurs on their home court. That's a tough match to back up from and now they must travel to Chicago to face a rested Bulls team on the back of 2 losses. 
Huge revenge spot here for Orlando tonight hosting the Knicks! New York embarrassed them in their last meeting by close to 40pts! The Magic have had issues internally also and will be keen to put it all to bed and play well in front of their fans here tonight. Anderson will again miss but Neilson and Howard should both play. Orlando have been a terrific starting team, especially at home and with the right motivation should be here again. 
Denver will finally complete a long road trip tonight as they face the struggling Hornets. New Orleans Play their first game at home coming off a long road trip of their own. There is a lot of uncertainty on who will suit up for the Hornets tonight with prize recruit Eric Gordon tipped to make his 1st start coming off a long lay off due to injury. Adding to Gordon the Hornets are also hopeful Lowry and Ariza suit up also. Okafor will miss again however and Kaman should play but has been ill.
This is a fade spot for the Thunder. While they are in ripping form and is always a risk to back against them especially at home, I like Memphis to play them tight and keep this one close. OKC have won 6 in a row, and are on b2b tonight. They have just had huge emotional wins over Championship rivals in the Lakers and Chicago last night. OKC also host Miami up next! Look ahead spot also for the Thunder.
The Sharks are going for 3 in a row when they tackle the Panthers at Centrebet Stadium. I think they get it done as well! All of a sudden things are clicking for the Sharks. Their skipper Gallen finally has a good support act with Bukuya, Ross and Smith all doing their part. De Gois is proving a handy pick up and the halves pairing of Carney and Robson are just now working well together also.