The following are previews with betting tips for Round 6 of the 2018/19 NBL season.
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Friday, November 16
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New Zealand Breakers v Melbourne United5:50pm AEDT |
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Pre-Game Lead-Up: Melbourne’s last game was a miracle win against Cairns. They lost every quarter except the fourth and boy oh boy is that where they really turned on the jets. During that period they won 25-13 and in the process the entire game, 87-80. They really did save their best for last. Casper Ware was simply phenomenal with 34 points, two rebounds, six assists and a steal and a block each. Mitch McCarron also scored 16 along with nine boards and an assist. While DJ Kennedy had 10 points, five rebounds, two steals and a block. And coming of the bench, Moller put up seven points and three boards, while also of the bench it was a disappointing game for Goulding. He shot just 1/8.
Abercrombie came through in the clutch as he hit the game winning two-point shot with less then four seconds left on the clock to give NZ the 85-84 win over Brisbane. The Breakers were competitive in every quarter bar the third and that was where Brisbane destroyed them putting up 23 points and keeping NZ themselves to only nine, however it proved to matter little in the end. The man of the hour Abercrombie scored 15, had five rebounds, three assists and a steal. While Ili, Long and Wesley each scored 10 points each. Webster and Delany also scored seven each. While Richard of the bench put up 21 points, six boards, three dimes and a steal.
What Should Happen: Since critics came calling for Casper Ware’s head he has answered them and in a lot of style. Over his past two games he’s put up a massive 52 points and 10 assists. Also three steals as well among his stats. This was all after his nine point performance against Sydney. He’s continuing to bounce back and show why he’s well and truly one of the best PG’s in the League. Expect him to continue his one man show in a Melbourne victory.
Betting tip: Pick Melbourne to be victorious at $1.72 (Ladbrokes)
Saturday, November 17
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Adelaide 36ers v Illawarra Hawks2:50pm AEDT |
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Pre-Game Lead-Up: 93-81 was the score as Adelaide went down in a difficult match against the Kings. Adelaide were outscored 27-15 in the first quarter and that set the tone for them in a game they were never really in. While Deleon is no more as shortly after the Kings match he was told his services would no longer be required for the rest of the season. He had some pretty shocking games this season including two two-point games and two four-point games. Against the Kings Johnson scored 14, had eight rebounds, one assist and one steal. While of the bench Frolling scored 23, pulled in six boards, got one dime and a steal as well.
For Illawarra they went down 90-81 against Perth in what was a competitive game. However they didn’t make it easy for themselves leaving Q1 with a 36-21 deficit on their hands. However they did win Q2 by three points and Q4 by three as well, with Q3 being a draw. Both Blanchfield and Jackson scored 16 points a piece for the Hawks. Blanchfield also had nine boards, a steal and two swats. While Jackson had five rebounds, three assists and a steal. And coming of the bench, Andersen scored 12, Jett 10 and Ogilvy six. Both Andersen and Jett got a block each to their names.
What Should Happen: A Hawks victory. Prior to their game against Perth, they beat Melbourne during Round Five and in the process handed them only their third loss of the season. This while Adelaide are in disarray after sacking Deleon and winning only 3/9 games this season and sitting in second last position. The Hakws fought hard against Perth and if some combination of Jett, Blanchfield, Jackson & Conklin can have big games then Illawarra should be able to get over the line and claim their fourth win of the season.
Betting tip: Pick Illawarra to be victorious at $3.10 (Bet365)
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Cairns Taipans v Perth Wildcats7:50pm AEDT |
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Pre-Game Lead-Up: Cairns won every quarter except for the fourth against Melbourne. However unfortunately for them results aren’t decided at the end of three quarter time as during that period they lost 25-13. And in the process that was the game gone 87-80. An unfortunate falling for the Taipans indeed. Melo scored 19 as well as having two boards, four dimes and a steal. While DJ Newbill had 13 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. While Nate Jawai could have been mistaken for Andrew Bogut as the big man poured in 17 points on 6/7 shooting to go along with 10 boards, three assists and three huge blocks. Of the bench Hall scored 12 and Drew six.
For the Wildcats they won a hard-fought game against the Hawks, 90-81. And despite a sterling effort from the opposition, it was basically the first quarter where Perth did most of their damage as they claimed a 36-21 advantage. Bryce Cotton poured in 19 points along with four rebounds, three assists and a steal. Kay was very impressive with 18 points, 10 boards, two dimes and a steal and a block each. While Mitch Norton quietly did what he does best and scored 10 to go along with four and four, plus two steals. And there were some big, big players of the bench as Steindl scored 18 and Wagstaff 15.
What Should Happen: Every round it seems that the Taipans can’t quite get a victory, but Melo is doing his thing anyway and assisted by DJ Newbill. And unfortunately for all you Cairns fans out there, that trend should continue. We’ll get a show from these two, but……………., expect the Wildcats to walk away with the victory. They’re first on the table and have only lost a singe games this season, don’t expect their second to be against Cairns. Insert; Laughing Emoji.
Betting tip: Pick Perth to be victorious at $1.72 (Ladbrokes)
Sunday, November 18
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Melbourne United v Brisbane Bullets2:50pm AEDT |
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Pre-Game Lead-Up: Melbourne played two games in Round Five, one was their victory over Cairns, however they also suffered a defeat to the lowly Hawks. They were outscored in three of the games four quarters in what could only be described as a poor effort by the reigning NBL winners. Both Ware and McCarron scored 18 points each, while Boone had 17. Ware also had three rebounds, four assists and two steals. While for McCarron he ended up with four boards, two dimes and two steals. And Boone for his part was simply massive with eight rebounds, six assists, two steals and three blocks.
Adam Gibson couldn’t quite hit the shot as the Bullets fell 85-84 to the Breakers last time they played. They were down by seven entering Q2 and 15 coming into half-time. However a 23-9 quarter quickly changed things entering the fourth. But a drawn period there is what sealed the result for Brisbane unfortunately for them. Both Gliddon and Te Rangi scored 14 points. While of the bench Gibson had 17 and former Atlanta Hawk Patterson put up 11. The former NBA player also had five boards, five dimes and an insane seven steals! Gliddon for his part had three rebounds, two assists and a steal.
What Should Happen: Two things. One: An equally as crazy performance by Patterson. Welcome to the NBL son! BOOM! He went ballistic and will have an absolute field-day if he can spend some time guarding weaker defensive players such as Ware and Goulding. Two: Melbourne will win. Are they really gonna put in another performance like that of what happened against the Hawks? Probably not. And if Goulding can shoot better of the bench then what he did against Cairns then that should definitely help to aid Melbourne’s cause as well.
Betting tip: Pick Melbourne to be victorious at $1.39 (PalmerBet)
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Sydney Kings v New Zealand Breakers5:20pm AEDT |
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Pre-Game Lead-Up: Sydney beat Adelaide 93-81 to move up to third on the NBL ladder and have an impressive record of 4/7 on the season. The first quarter was the most dominant one from the Kings as they set the tone for the rest of the game winning 27-15. Newley scored 26, Randle 23 and Lisch 20 in the star-studded performance. Newley also had six boards, four dimes, two steals and a block. While Randle had four rebounds, five assists and a steal. Lisch got one board, two dimes and two steals. Andrew Bogut also put in his usual dominant performance with eight points, 13 rebounds, four assists, one steal and three blocks.
For NZ besides their thrilling one point victory over Brisbane, they also played Cairns, a game in which they thrashed them by 23 huge points. In Q1 they scored 30, Q2 was good for 27, Q3 they put up 25 and Q4 they had 22. Webster scored 25 and Long had 11. While of the pine, Richard scored 21 and Majok 10. Both Wesley and Abercrombie also had nine points each. Webster also pulled in two boards, had one dime as well as one steal. Richard got three rebounds, three assists and a steal. Long had seven boards, one dime, two steals and two blocks.
What Should Happen: Randle & Lisch lighting it up again. They scored 43 combined points in their last hit-out against Adelaide. And the former League MVP’s have carried the Kings to an impressive third spot so far. And they’re only rising higher and higher. Expect them to again highlight their inner Lillard and McCollum as they put on a fiery performance again vs the Breakers. Randle has 19.3 for the season and Lisch 15.4. Ain’t nothing gonna stop these two this match.
Betting tip: Pick the Kings to be victorious at $1.41 (UniBet)
Best Bet of the Round
My favourite/best bet for the round is SYD to beat NZ at $1.41 (UniBet), behind Randle and Lisch, simply no amount of defence will stop them in this game!