Gold Coast book NBL finals berth
The Gold Coast Blaze have secured a spot in the NBL finals in their debut season after a 127-118 victory over Adelaide at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The NBL's newest franchise booked a maiden finals appearance in fine form, with point guard Jason Crowe the star of the show, scoring 26 of his team-high 34 points in a blistering first-half performance.
The win takes the Blaze to 15-12 for the season and keeps them in the hunt for a home final, while also virtually destroyed Adelaide's finals hopes with the 36ers dropping to 12-16.
Showing no signs of wear after their thrilling win over the Brisbane Bullets on Saturday night, the 36ers were explosive from the start and took the Blaze by surprise.
The home side, though, took the lead half way through the first quarter and after taking a five point advantage, 27-22, into the first break were never again headed.
In a second quarter marred by wasted chances, the Blaze's only saving grace was in Crowe, who added an impressive 18 points to his eight in the first quarter for a total of 26 first half points.
The Blaze led at the main break 63-56 before solidifying their lead at the third with 94-84, despite valiant efforts by a desperate Adelaide.
The 36ers got within five points in the dying stages before Blaze secured the winning nine point margin.
Crowe shone for the Gold Coast, finishing the game with 34 points, while Julius Hodge did two better on the losing side with 37.
The 36ers have two more games to play for the season and remain only a distant mathematical chance of getting into the finals.
Adelaide coach Phil Smyth said fatigue and travel after their home game on Saturday night had taken its toll.
"I think we made a three point shot in the first quarter ... that's a sign of fatigue and travel," he told reporters.
"The guys put a lot into last night's game... not taking anything away form the Gold Coast, they played well."
Blaze coach Brendan Joyce was unrepentant in praising his team - the first Gold Coast basketball team to qualify for the NBL playoffs.
"They'll only ever be one (Gold Coast) team to make the playoffs for the first time, that's this team," Joyce said.
"We're the first and I think about the title that this team has been given by (player) James Harvey ... they're called the immortals, they will also be remember."
Star player Crowe said despite booking their finals spot early, the Blaze were determined to finish the regular season in the best shape possible with three games remaining, including Friday's clash with ladder leaders the Sydney Kings.
Adelaide host the Cairns Taipans next Saturday.
![AAP](https://www.thefanatics.com/images/aaplogo2.gif)
Post a comment about this article
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Becoming a member is free and easy, sign up here.