Men’s SBL set for action-packed long weekend (Men's Week 12 Preview)
Mandurah and South West will be looking to press their top-eight claims when they tip-off a blockbuster schedule of fixtures in round 12 of the Men’s State Basketball League tonight.
The round features no less than 10 games over three days on the WA Day long weekend, with six teams set to play double-headers.
Mandurah, Stirling, Goldfields, Geraldton, Cockburn and Perth have all been handed the task of negotiating back-to-back games in a big week.
The Magic (8-6) have slipped back into a crowded middle pack after losing their past two games to Wanneroo and Geraldton, but are still hanging onto their play-off spot.
That position could be stolen tonight by the Slammers (8-7), who have been inconsistent this season but will take confidence from their win over Mandurah in the only previous meeting between the two sides this season.
In Friday’s other game, Rockingham (4-10) host fellow strugglers Stirling (3-11) in a battle between two teams fighting to keep their slim play-off dreams alive.
The Flames have beaten Kalamunda and Goldfields in their past two outings to end a four-game losing streak, while the Senators are winless in their past eight and lost to last-placed Kalamunda in round 11.
On Saturday, Mandurah will back up against reigning champions Cockburn, who are struggling this season but have won three of their five games since losing to the Magic in round seven.
Stirling play their second game of the weekend at home to eighth-placed Perth, while Willetton host Geraldton when fifth meets sixth.
Wanneroo host East Perth in what shapes as the match of the round when two top-four rivals come together.
The Eagles leapt above the Wolves and Perry Lakes into second spot on the ladder when they beat Cockburn last week.
Goldfields sit in 10th place with a 5-7 record and face a tough ask to climb the ladder this week.
They visit runaway ladder leaders Lakeside Lightning on Saturday before meeting Perth the next day.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Kalamunda are looking for back-to-back wins for the first time this season when they host Cockburn, while Perry Lakes do battle with Geraldton.
Article by Shayne Hope
Photo by Ashley Pearce
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