Bullets dodge Monday games in friendlier NBL draw

BRISBANE Bullets have been saved from any appearances in the National Basketball League’s Monday timeslots next season.

The NBL’s draw, to be announced today, reveals a broadcast strategy including a reduction of Monday night games to only two in the entire season, neither of which involve the Bullets.

The Bullets feature prominently in Saturday and Sunday games.

“We’ve listened to the fans who have told us they want to watch games on weekends,’’ NBL CEO Jeremy Leoliger said.

Brisbane yesterday confirmed the signing of guard Travis Trice, and the former Taipans player will be up against his former club in the Round 3 Queensland derby on October 20 – a Friday – at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. Trice is currently playing in the NBA Summer League for Milwaukee.

“Travis likes to take on a challenge and brings us real speed, the ability to get in the lane and he makes defences react,’’ coach Andrej Lemanis said.

Brisbane start the season away to Perth on October 7 and host New Zealand on October 15.

The Bullets will play four home games at the Entertainment Centre, nine at the Brisbane Convention Centre and one at the Gold Coast on October 28 against Melbourne United. They are staging one more match than last season at the bigger, 7500- seat con- figuration of the Entertainment Centre.

Melbourne and Brisbane also figure in a Boxing Day fixture at Melbourne’s Hisense Arena. Cairns host the Bullets on December 14 and January 5, having started their campaign at home on October 6 against Illawarra.

The NBL will have games telecast by Fox Sports each round and is yet to announce its free- to- air network, having aired some matches last season on SBS.

There will be two bye weeks, in November and February.