The Melbourne Tigers are in a rich vein of form, having won their last six games, but the next month will be crucial to their hopes of maintaining a top 4 spot at the end of the season. The Tigers have had a brilliant first half of the season, with a win-loss record of 8-4, only one game shy of their total games won last season.

The Tigers who missed the playoffs last year in the SEABL, not only look likely to make the playoffs, but are in a strong position to secure a double chance on the back of their recent form. Star players Nic Pozoglou (21.8 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 1.2 spg), Dane Pineau (16.7 ppg, 15.3 rpg, 1.1 bpg) and Michael (Mickey) Luxford (11.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.4 apg) have been dominant for the Tigers all season. However, the key to Melbourne’s success so far this season has been “developing a system..and a style that suits us,” according to head coach Brad Pineau. Additionally, with a fairly new roster and many players who haven’t played together previously, team chemistry has also been a major key in recent weeks. “I think…the team and the players are getting more comfortable playing with each other,” said Pineau.

Melbourne face the Nunawading Spectres in Round 10 who are second on the ladder and will provide one of their sternest tests to date. Despite this, Pineau says, “ (the Tigers) can’t change who we are.. (our system) it’s been pretty effective against certain teams and now we gotta see, can we continue to play the style (against the top teams).” Fast ball movement has been one of the major elements of the Tigers game style so far this season and it will continue to be important this weekend against Nunawading and for the whole next month, ending in a 2 game road trip in Tasmania.

The Tigers will face the Spectres on Sunday the 16th of June at 2.30pm at the Nunawading Basketball Centre.