Magic leave playoff options open

Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic won't be putting all their eggs in one basket when they face Queensland's Firebirds in tonight's ANZ Championship major semifinal.
It's the first time Firebirds have been in the finals and they've been the most consistent team to date with an unbeaten run in regular play, but Magic coach Noeline Taurua won't be focussing on their kingpin, shooter Romelda Aiken.
"We need to acknowledge that and we won't be putting all our energy into trying to shut down Romelda - it's a waste of time," Taurua said. "They do the basics really well and defensively they're really tight and very structured and their turnover rate is very low. We know we can compete one on one and it will come down to who can handle things the best."
Taurua is happy with her team's progress to date and the balance they are starting to display when it comes to knowing when to let the ball go and knowing when to re-set.
Magic have reached the top-four play-offs each year since the inception of the competition in 2008, twice being the beaten finalists. A win tonight would produce a significant first for Magic, ensuring a direct route to the Grand Final and a week-long break leading up to that.
By finishing in first and second at the end of the regular season, Firebirds and Magic earned the bonus of the double-life system, meaning a second chance for tonight's losers.
"The benefits of going straight through to the final are huge," Taurua said. "It allows you the luxury of that extra week in the middle while the preliminary final is being played to prepare, while also easing the mental fatigue side of things and eliminating the travel factor."
Fifth place finishers for the previous three years, Firebirds have fashioned an impressive unbeaten 12-game record so far this season and will take some beating at home but as Taurua points out, any team is beatable "on the day".
"History has shown the previous semifinals to be unpredictable. "The stakes are higher and now you are getting the team who really wants to be there. If you go in there reserved, not firing or flat you're going to get beaten and that is borne from experience."
Wing defence Peta Scholz, who had a major knee operation last season and tweaked that knee in a recent match, has been given the all clear to play but will be rested in tonight's match.