The following are previews with betting tips for Round 15 of the 2017/18 NBL season.
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Thursday, January 18
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New Zealand Breakers v Melbourne United5:30pm AEDT |
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Preview coming soon.
Betting tip: coming soon
Friday, January 19
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Adelaide 36ers v Illawarra Hawks7:30pm AEDT |
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Pre-Game Lead-Up: For Adelaide this game is all about trying to improve their finals position, as it currently stands, they are still well in with a chance of finishing top. While for Illawarra, tried as they might have this season, it’s over for them and all about just trying to finish it on a high to enter next season in good stead. For the 36ers last game, they beat the Kings in a thriller, 104-101. They entered half-time down by 6 and three-quarter time down by 2. But they were able to pull it out in the end when it mattered the most. Mitch Creek had a huge game, going of for 30 points on 11-12 shooting. While also getting 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 steals. Daniel Johnson also had 22, 6 and 4 in a big game for him as well. Shanon Shorter scored 20, while of the bench, Ramone Moore scored 6, had a rebound, got 3 assists and got a steal. As for the Hawks, they were very convincing in their 11 point win against NZ. They outscored them by 5 in the second period and won a huge 4th quarter, 30-21, which basically won them the game and some pride against one of the NBL’s top teams. Nicholas Kay made his only attempt from behind the arc on his way to 20 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. While Demitrius Conger made 2 from distance for 17 points and had 10 rebounds, to go along with an assist and a steal. Rotnei Clarke had 12, but shot only 4-11, while of the pine, Cody Ellis scored 10.
What To Look Out For: Something that resembles a GWS vs Houston Rockets match-up, because of both teams ability to drain them from behind the arc. For the 36ers this season Nathan Sobey, Shanon Shorter and Majok Deng have been close to the equivalent of Curry, Thompson and Green. While on the Hawks there are no shortage of your Harden’s and Anderson’s through guys like Clarke (40%-3), Conger (40%-3) and Ellis (38%-3). Bombs will be going of from deep in this game.
Betting tip: Pick the 36ers to win at $1.39 (PalmerBet)
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Perth Wildcats v Sydney Kings9:30pm AEDT |
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Pre-Game Lead-Up: Perth are in 2nd and fighting for 1st. This while the name the Kings is an absolute joke, considering they have been anything but this season. They are currently last and will struggle to avoid finishing anything but. Bryce Cotton was the hero, as only with a couple of seconds left on the clock, he hit the match winning shot to give the Wildcats a 1 point victory over Brisbane. Proving once again that he is one of the biggest crunch-time players in the league. They were down by 12 at the end of the 1st quarter and 15 heading into half-time. But they bought it back to claim the close win by outscoring them by 10 in the next quarter and 6 in the one after that. Comeback Kings aren’t they? Despite his heroics, Cotton only ended up with 13 points on 6-14 shooting. While the highest points scorer for Perth was Jean-Pierre Tokoto with 16. He also pulled in 7 boards, dished out 4 dimes and got 3 steals. Derek Cooke Jr was again huge, especially defensively with 9 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals and a block, strongly leading the Wildcats second unit. While for Sydney, they lost by 3 to the 36ers, by no means a bad result. They were up by 6 heading into the half, but couldn’t quite hold on as some poor choices in the end quite possibly cost them the result. Every starter scored in double-digits for the Kings. They were led by Randle who had 22 points and 11 assists. While Perry Ellis scored 13, got only 1 rebound (what’s going on there???), dished out 3 assists, got a steal and had a massive 3 blocks. Newley also scored 21, Blanchfield 12 and Humphries 12. While Kevin Lisch in his return was pretty solid with 7 points and 4 rebounds in just under 12 minutes of play.
What To Look Out For: Jerome Randle. He has been Sydney’s best player by far since he’s joined the club. That’s either a testament to him and his abilities or it just really does show how poor the Kings have been this season. As well as leading them in ppg, he also leads them in apg with an average of 5.1. He does a lot during games for the Kings and against such a strong team like Perth, they will target him and they will double-team him. His impact in this game may be limited a bit, meaning how his team-mates in particular stars Ellis and Newley are able to perform will impact them greatly. Look for Randle to perform well despite the extra attention and for the other stars to really step up as well.
Betting tip: Pick Perth to win at $1.14 (Ladbrokes)
Also pick them to be the first to 10 points at $1.48 (William Hill)
Saturday, January 20
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Brisbane Bullets v Melbourne United5:30pm AEDT |
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Pre-Game Lead-Up: For Brisbane, they came so close to beating the Wildcats, but they couldn’t quite get it done as Bryce Cotton played the role of the villain and they lost by 1. Brisbane had a 12 point advantage after quarter one after outscoring them 28-12. While they led by 15 with only two quarters left. But they then proceeded to lose by 16 over the next two periods to end up with the final 1 point result. Now that they won’t be making the finals, it’s all about finishing the season strong for them and avoiding finishing in last place. Travis Trice ended up with 18 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal. While his partner in crime, Perrin Buford, got 11,11 and 3. While he also had 1 steal and 2 blocks. Reuben Te Rangi also scored 12. While repping the second unit, Stephen Holt scored 11 and Anthony Petrie 10. As for Melbourne, they are currently 1st and gunning for the Championship with 13 wins from 19 games. While their last match saw them win 82-80 against Perth. Casper Ware was the man as he hit two late free-throws to seal the win. Tai Wesley led United with 21 points, while Ware was close with 18. Wesley also had 10 boards and 5 dimes, While Josh Boone was a perfect 5-5 for 12 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist. Carrick Felix also scored 11, pulled in 7, got an assist and had 3 steals. While Craig Moller was pretty solid of the bench with 4 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocks.
What To Look Out For: A soaring Melbourne United side. For most of the season it was a two-way battle between Perth and New Zealand to see who would be claiming the competitions top two spots. But Melbourne have now changed that entirely and are changing the plot for the upcoming NBL finals series. Everyone is contributing to Melbourne’s awesome success while they always get great, passionate crowds at home. This while Carrick Felix is fitting in seamlessly and showing why United bought him in for their finals charge. Up against a Brisbane side with not much more to play for than pride, Melbourne should get the win.
Betting tip: Pick Melbourne to win at $1.72 (Ladbrokes)
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Cairns Taipans v New Zealand Breakers7:30pm AEDT |
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Pre-Game Lead-Up: The Taipans were close this season, but not close enough with 9 wins from 22 games, while the Breakers are currently in 3rd position. For the Cairns, their last game was a 100-90 loss to Adelaide. They were down by 8 at the end of the first quarter and it didn’t get any better for them from there. Their best period being the second, when it ended 24-all. Their was some poor shooting for the Taipans as Cam Gliddon was 4-9, Jarrad Weeks 3-8 and Jerry Evans Jr 2-6. Alex Loughton played strongly with 19 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals. While Mitch McCarron scored 18, got 4 rebounds, 6 assists and a steal. Of the bench, Dayshon Smith had a great effort with 12 points on 5-9 shooting, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal. While for NZ, their last game was a disappointing 11 point defeat at the hands of the Hawks. They were leading by 3 at the end of the first quarter but it just got worse from there. This culminated itself in the final quarter where they lost not only the period, 30-21, but the game more importantly. Edgar Sosa shot 50% on his way to 20 points, 2 rebounds, an assist and a steal. Thomas Abercrombie again showed what he can do on the less glamorous end with 3 blocks and a steal. While he also scored 10 points and got 4 rebounds. DJ Newbill also performed strongly with 12 points, 10 reobounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Coming of the bench, new import and ex-Indiana Pacer Rakeem Christmas scored 14, along with 8 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block.
What To Look Out For: 11 points was the margin of NZ’s defeat to the Hawks. That represents their equal 3rd biggest loss for the season and so close to the finals as well. It’s safe to expect a strong rebound performance from the Breakers. DJ Newbill, 5-15 and Shea Ili, 2-7, shouldn’t shoot so poorly again. Neither should Thomas Abercrombie who shot 0-5 from behind the arc. While collectively the entire team went 8-28 from distance. It’s safe to expect something entirely different against Cairns.
Betting tip: Pick NZ to win at $1.95 (William Hill)
Also to pick them to win the race to first to 10 points at $1.90 (William Hill)
Sunday, January 21
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Sydney Kings v Perth Wildcats3:00pm AEDT |
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Pre-Game Lead-Up: It’s the second installment of Best vs Worse for the round. The Wildcats currently with 13 victories from 19 games and the dismal Kings, well 5 from 21. One of the major notes from Sydney’s agonizingly close loss vs the 36ers was Andrew Gaze’s spray late in the game. He wanted to give his side a real kick and boy oh boy, didn’t he. He was animated and moving all around as he absolutely served it to his players. But it seemingly worked as the end result was pretty damn close. While this has been somewhat of a thing this season for Gaze as he has really shown his emotions from the side-line. If his players don’t want to make him pissed of again then it’ll be up to guys like Randle (20.7ppg) and Ellis (15.4ppg) to lead the charge against a side that’s really raring themselves up now for the finals. While for Perth, the key will be for them to play the team-oriented type of ball that they normally do and getting guys like Cotton (19.5ppg) and Tokoto (16.9ppg) to shoot the ball well.
What To Look Out For: Bryce Cotton, the dude is flat out balling this season. He hit the game winner last round vs the Bullets and is one hell of a player. This season he is averaging 19.5ppg on 45% shooting, while he is 44% from three-point range. He is shooting 84% on FT’s and is averaging just under 3 dimes per game. He is also pulling in just under 3 boards per game, while he is averaging 1.3 steals. Perth have plenty of good players and he is just one of them. But coming up against the Kings will suit him as most of their wings are poor defenders i.e. Jason Cadee. Expect him to have a field-day as his side chases the win.
Betting tip: Pick Perth to be the first to 10 points at $1.65 (William Hill)
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Illawarra Hawks v Adelaide 36ers5:00pm AEDT |
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Pre-Game Lead-Up: This game, just like Sydney vs Perth, will be the second time these two teams have met this round. For Illawarra, this season has seen them have some real highs and some real lows. One of the highs being their most recent 11 point victory over the 3rd placed Breakers and the form of Demitrius Conger (19.6 ppg, 6.0rpg, 2.8apg and 1.0spg). While some of their lower points have been the constant, never-ending injury issues that they have suffered as well as some of the big losses they have had. While for Adelaide, this season has been another great one for them. In a finals position and looking like word-beaters at various points during their campaign, it’s mostly gone right for them. Josh Childress has been a good acquisition while they are pouring in the baskets at a freakishly good rate. Life is good if you play for or a part of the 36ers organisation.
What To Look Out For: A motivated Hawks side. Their season is over, the players have a lot of ware and tare on them. However none of that stuff matters as they’ll have a point to prove about why they should be in the finals instead of their opponents. Expect some hot shooting from Clarke, Kay and Conger to give Illawarra the un-likeliest of victories. They might not be featuring late on in the season, but they’ll be giving it their all.
Betting tip: Pick Illawarra to prove their worth with a victory at $1.78 (PalmerBet)
Best Bet of the Round
Pick Sydney to beat Perth in their second game at $3.42 (PalmerBet)
Also pick Illawarra to be the first to 10 points in their second game vs the 36ers at $1.87 (William Hill)