Game Two of the NBL Grand Final tied the series at 1-1, with an stunning victory by the raining champion Melbourne Tigers. It also ended the amazing winning streak of the Brisbane Bullets at 21 games, sending a message to the favored boys from Brisvegas, that "you can never underestimate the heart of a champion!" Trailing by double figures at the half, the Tigers came out and attacked like their name sakes would a wounded gazelle, erasing the deficit and in the process building a 14 point lead of their own. Lead by imports Rashad Tucker and Dave Thomas (see inset), along with the devastating alround skill of Chris "Superman" Anstey... the game was put beyond doubt.
Although I have a few worries about the rest of the "best of five" and here they are...
1. The Tigers still struggle to handle the full court pressure of the Bullets. Nate Crosswell is being monstered everytime he touches the ball.
2. The Tigers are yet to see Ebi Ere and Dusty Reichart really heat up in the Finals, which they will do at some stage.
3. David Stiff is so hit and miss these days that if he has one of those nights where Al can only play him for 10 minutes the others, the Bullets are effectively playing a 10 on 8 in terms of rotation, putting more and more pressure on the aging Tigers.
4. CJ Bruton, would love nothing more than to knock off the Tigers, for numerous reasons, and is completely capable of doing so, distributing the ball to an array of shooters dying to get their points.
and finally...
5. Sam Mackinnon - what can I say, Defence, Rebounding, Scoring and Leadership... he does it all, very easily...
GO TIGERS.
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