The following are previews with betting tips for Round 2 of the 2018/19 NBL season.
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Friday, October 19
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Adelaide 36ers v Sydney Kings7:50pm AEDT |
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Pre-game lead-up: Adelaide showed the Kings that they still have a lot of work to do if they want to reach their level as they beat the Kings on their home-turf in front of a very strong 10,000+ crowd, 94-83. And it was the fourth quarter where they really turned it on posting 29 points while keeping Sydney to 15, essentially killing of the game in the process. Defensively Joey Wright’s men got it all right as they kept four of the Kings five starters to absolutely shocking shooting percentages. Bogut & Lisch both 2/9 (22.2%), Wear 2/8 (25.0%) and Newley 3/11 (27.3%). And offensively they were just as powerful with Johnson scoring 22, Sobey 21 and Drmic 14. Johnson also posted a stat-line of 10 boards, two assists and a steal. Drmic pulled in seven boards and both Sobey and Moore assisted on four baskets a piece. Coming of the bench both Deleon and Deng scored six points each.
For the Kings, the result was obviously quite a different one and a depressing one. With all the hype surrounding them pre-game they were supposed to go out and kill it, but instead ‘THAT’ happened. At the end of the third quarter they held a slender lead but blew it in the fourth as the 36ers ran away with it. They also lost the first quarter 21-19. Despite fouling out on his debut for the Kings, Andrew Bogut still had some impressive stats including 15 boards and four huge swats. While in a small consolation for his horrible shooting, he did make his only two free-throws of the match. Jerome Randle also made himself known against his former side on his way to 28 points, two boards and seven dimes. Coming of the pine, Daniel Kickert was impressive against his former side as he hit them up for 14 points and Bowen scored 13.
What should happen: A drastically different result. It was supposed to be a fairy tale win for Andrew Bogut in front of the home fans and a perfect start to the new season for Sydney. However as the 94-83 score-line indicated it was anything but. However turning the result around this game should be Andrew Bogut’s presence throughout the entirety of the match, several Kings turning around their shooting form and better contributions from bench men such as Adnam and Pineau. After this match the Kings should be 1-1 and the 36ers 1-2.
Betting tip: Pick Sydney to claim the victory at $1.65 (PalmerBet, BlueBet, Ladbrokes)
Saturday, October 20
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Perth Wildcats v Brisbane Bullets3:00pm AEDT |
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Pre-game lead-up: 40 points was the difference as Perth thrashed the Hawks 101-61. They killed them in every quarter and in three of them scored an impressive 28 points each time. And in the only quarter where they didn’t reach that, Illawarra were kept to a measly 10 points. The Wildcats had plenty of strong contributors as White scored 20 (7/14) and got three steals. Cotton scored 15 and hit two three-pointers. Kay scored 14 against his former side as he also got two steals next to his name. And coming of the bench Mitch Norton scored 12 as well as dishing out four dimes. While Angus Brandt scored 11 and pulled in six rebounds. Martin also had nine assists and three steals. However in an interesting stat of note from the match, in just under 17 minutes of play he didn’t attempt a single shot. However the veteran leader clearly knew what he was doing as Perth ended this game on top of the NBL ladder with a 2-0 record to start of the new season.
For the Bullets they were shown whats up by Cairns as they claimed a comprehensive 88-70 victory over the shocked Brisbane side. Brisbane didn’t win a single quarter as they were thoroughly outclassed. This was especially evident in the fourth quarter as Cairns won 28-16. Former Cleveland man and a team-mate of Kyrie Irving, Alonzo Gee, had eight points, 10 boards, one dime and two steals. Former King Jason Cadee also put in a decent shift with 10 points and seven assists. Cameron Gliddon also scored 11, although he shot only 28.6% from the court (4/14). However most impressive was new acquisition Te Rangi coming of the bench as he scored 18 points along with pulling in three rebounds. It was a disappointing effort from the Bullets, especially considering they beat the Breakers in the opening game of the season only a couple of days earlier.
What should happen: Perth’s dominant start to the season continuing. Firstly they got a victory over last years NBL runner-ups in the form of the 36ers, then they posted a 101 point win. And now they come up against a low-morale Brisbane side coming of a depressing 18 point defeat to a side that on paper at least, should be pretty darn even to them! With White averaging 20.0ppg, Cotton 18.5ppg and Kay 16.0ppg. Plus with Mitch Norton coming up with 8.5ppg of the bench, this four-headed monster might be to much fire-power for Brisbane to deal with. If Melo could reach 32 against them, how the hell can they expect to handle Cotton, a similar player with an explosive offensive arsenal? They can’t is the short answer. Watch these four men perform as Perth claim the W.
Betting tip: Pick Perth to claim the W at $1.33 (BlueBet, PalmerBet)
Sunday, October 21
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New Zealand Breakers v Sydney Kings12:20pm AEDT |
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Pre-game lead-up: New Zealand in their last game beat the reigning champs (MEL) 88-81 in a very impressive performance. They conceded 28 points in the first quarter and scored only 19 themselves. However in the second quarter they killed it as they won that period 28-14. The scores were all even in the third at 24-24. And in the fourth quarter they put the icing on the cake with a 17-15 victory in that period. Tai Wesley was very good on his way to 25 points, six boards and two dimes against his former club. Abercrombie also hit a nice 8/12 scoring 16, getting five rebounds, as well as an assist and a steal each. While Patrick Richard made himself known of the bench with a 15 point performance. Disappointingly however, the star of the Phoenix exhibition game in Corey Webster only shot 3/12 for seven points. Back to the bench and Majok Majok played quite nicely with six points and rebounds each.
As for Sydney in front of a terrific home crowd at Qudos Bank Arena, it was simply a poor performance as they fell by eleven points to the underdog 36ers. The game was there for the taking at the start of the fourth quarter, however Adelaide absolutely killed it as they went full clutch on their way to a 29-15 victory during the period. Jerome Randle’s 28 points against the side that he formerly won the MVP award while with wasn’t enough as poor shooting plagued the Kings throughout the game. Andrew Bogut on his debut went 2/9 (and also fouled out). Lisch went 2/9 also and Newley an equally as bad 3/11. Wear went 2/8, another player making his debut for Andrew Gaze’s side. While of the bench, Bowen could only hit 1/4 of his two-point attempts and Pineau failed to make his only attempt for the game.
What should happen: A New Zealand victory and possibly a strong one. I thoroughly expect Sydney to turn their form around and beat Adelaide in their re-match game in their match this round, played just before this one. And provided that happens, the raw emotion and physical effects it will have on the Kings will mean that this match should prove to be just a bit to much for them to handle. Trying to claim the W against Adelaide should take to much out of them. And especially so playing against a defensively-orientated Breakers side, NZ should get the W in this game. Especially so if players like Webster and Long can contribute better shooting wise to an already winning side.
Betting tip: Pick the Breakers to claim their second consecutive win vs SYD at $2.25 (BlueBet, PalmerBet)
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Melbourne United v Adelaide 36ers2:50pm AEDT |
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Pre-game lead-up: The un-thinkable happened and Melbourne suffered a defeat in a game they were supposed to win as they went down in a tense affair to New Zealand. Melbourne held a 28-19 lead to end the first quarter, however it all went down hill from there as they then proceeded to lose the second quarter, 28-14. And they never really got back into the game from there. Chris Goulding scored 22 points while hitting three three-pointers. He also got three boards and two dimes. Barlow also had a good game with 15 points, four rebounds and one assist and one block each. Mitch McCarron scored 14, along with eight rebounds, three assists and a steal. And of the bench Alex Pledger scored 10 and Smith-Milner seven. However Casper Ware was shocking as he gave away three personal fouls and shot a horrible 2/13 from the floor for only six points. A better effort from him and maybe it was United who instead claim a tight victory, who knows?
As for Adelaide, in their other game besides beating the Kings, they went down 99-91 against Perth. It was even after the first quarter, however at half-time Perth held a seven point advantage. However courtesy of a 32-26 win in the third, the margin was bought back down to a point entering the fourth. However the Wildcats obviously went on to win it from there with a 25-18 victory during that period. They allowed every Perth player to score at least three points or more against them. However Joey Wright’s men weren’t without their own talents in this game as Johnson scored 23, to go with his 10 rebounds and one block and steal each. Sobey’s very solid stats included 20 points and six dimes. Wiley and Deleon both scored 11, while Wiley also had nine rebounds.
What should happen: A closely contested game. Regardless of the matches before them this round, both teams currently have 1-1 records to open their season with. Melbourne have more visible well-known talent in the likes of Ware, a former NBA player, Goulding, a current AUS representative and Boone (13.0ppg and 9.5rpg). However Adelaide are more underrated and that is at least in part how their underdog mentality helped them reach the final stage of the NBL Finals last campaign. Men like Wiley are averaging 11.5ppg while Johnson is an absolute star with 22.5ppg so far this season. The 36ers win this close, close game purely because of their previously mentioned underdog status and as well as that, their motivation will be as high as ever to knock United of their perch after they denied them their chance of Championship glory last season.
Betting tip: With revenge on their minds, ADL are the only logical choice to choose to win this match at $2.70 (PalmerBet, Ladbrokes)
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Cairns Taipans v Illawarra Hawks5:20pm AEDT |
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Pre-game lead-up: Melo Trimble went of for 32 points to go 8/13. DJ Newbill did everything with 16 points, 10 boards, four dimes and three steals. Nate Jawai had a throwback to the form that made him a former Raptor shooting 6/9 for 13 points as well as getting one block. While among Robert Loe’s stats of the bench were 16 points and eight boards, so close to doing the double! This was all done in a comprehensive 18 point victory over the Bullets. What a way for the Taipans to open their campaign! Cairns led by one at the end of the first and by three entering half-time. That lead was then doubled at the end of the third, however six points still made for a tight game entering the fourth and final quarter of the match. However in the fourth quarter they absolutely nailed it scoring 28 points and keeping Brisbane to only 16 resulting in the thrashing that was. The Taipans also kept former NBA man Alonzo Gee to 3/11 shooting, not a bad defensive effort at all.
For the Hawks after their insane 123-122 loss to Melbourne, they backed up that resounding effort with absolute garbage in their 101-61 (40 point) loss at the hands of the Wildcats. It was over before it even started for Illawarra with Perth winning the first quarter 28-16. They then won the second as well, 28-18. In the third it was simply embarrassing as Perth scored 17 and the Hawks only bagged 10, YIKES! Then the fourth quarter was again embarrassing for the Woolongong side as they lost the period 28-17. Bran Conklin shot 7/12 on his way to 17 points, two boards and two dimes. Jett put up 13 and like Conklin had two rebounds and two assists as well. Coming of the bench, Coenraad scored 10, grabbed in eight rebounds and had one dime. And Andersen had six points and four rebounds.
What should happen: A Taipans W led by the newest Melo. 32 points against an experienced side is a very good effort, especially so if your 23 years old, which is how old Trimble is. Mans already taking the NBL by storm and as well as his scoring output, he also had seven boards, three dimes and a steal vs the Bullets. Expect him to only get better and better and the season goes on. And expect him to back it up straight away against and weary Hawks side. He could make this one get very, very ugly.
Betting tip: Pick Cairns to be victorious at $1.65 (BlueBet, PalmerBet)
Best Bet of the Round
My best/favourite bet of the round is for Cairns to beat the struggling Hawks at $1.65 (BlueBet, PalmerBet)
Led by Melo, there ain’t no way they’ll lose to one of the League’s worst sides