The following are previews with betting tips for Round 7 of the 2018/19 NBL season.
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Thursday, November 22
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Brisbane Bullets v Illawarra Hawks7:50pm AEDT |
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Pre-Game Lead-Up: The Bullets last time out went down 102-94 to Melbourne in a closely fought affair. Brisbane won Q2 24-18, however that was the only period of time they were victorious in. Their biggest quarter deficit was in the fourth where they lost 25-19. Gliddon scored 16 on 50% shooting to go along with one board, a dime, two steals and a block. Hodgson put up 12 and pulled in a rebound as well as an assist. Patterson also scored 11 points, while his other stats were one board, four dimes and two steals. And for the Bullets a few players really made their presence felt of the bench as Gibson scored 19, Te Rangi had 14 and Holt got 12.
As for the Hawks their miserable season continued as they were thrashed to the tune of 25 points (the margin) by Adelaide. The Hawks started of brightly scoring 30 in Q1 and taking a nine point advantage into Q2. However it all unraveled from there as they then only scored 16, 16 and 17 over the next three quarters. Blanchfield was a bright spot as he shot 60% en route to 22 points, 11 rebounds, one steal and one swat. Conklin also scored 13 points and had five boards. While of the pine, Andersen scored 11 and Jett 10. Jackson also had a well-balanced performance with six points, seven boards, five dimes and two steals.
What Should Happen: The Hawks are very quickly falling of the pace in this years NBL competition and need to do something soon if they are to get anything from this current campaign. And you wouldn’t have known they were trying anything at least relevant or good in their defeat against Adelaide. However if they can limit Brisbane’s superstar scoring players and fix their own shooting woes then they’ll have a chance against the Bullets. Expect those two things to be at least partly fixed as the Hawks claim an upset win.
Betting tip: Pick the Hawks to be victorious at $2.52 (PalmerBet)
Friday, November 23
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New Zealand Breakers v Perth Wildcats5:20pm AEDT |
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Pre-Game Lead-Up: The Breakers went down 100-87 to the Kings in a game in which they won only the fourth and final quarter, 23-21. And in Q2 it was very disappointing for them as they allowed Sydney to light them up for 28 points, while NZ themselves scored only 18. Long scored a massive 25 points, while Wesley had 17. And of the bench Richard had 18. Long also had eight boards, three dimes and a block. Wesley got himself one rebound, four assists and a steal. As for Richard his other stats included five boards, two dimes and one swat. Webster was very poor with the ball as he shot 2/11 and likewise for Abercrombie who went 1/6.
Perth in their last game eventually prevailed over the luckless Taipans 88-83. It was OT where it all mattered for Perth as they won that shortened quarter 13 points to eight to claim the match. However the game could have had a very different tune had Cairns continued on from their 21-14 opening quarter victory. Cotton was his usual dominant self with 26 points. Both Kay and Norton had 18 each while Jervis scored 12. And coming of the bench Wagstaff had eight. Kay also had eight boards, three dimes and a steal. While Norton also claimed four rebounds and a steal. Cotton’s shooting however was a bit off as he went only 7/22.
What Should Happen: Despite NZ’s recent woes, a damn good game of Basketball. Excluding their loss against Sydney, the Breakers went all the way against the defending champs in the form of Melbourne in their 108-101 loss. Given that Perth are still battling injury problems big games from a combination of Wesley, Abercrombie and Webster (two of the three), will make the game against the Wildcats a very, very close on. However Perth are still Perth and as such expect them to claim the victory.
Betting tip: Pick Perth to be victorious at $2.05 (Bet365)
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Adelaide 36ers v Cairns Taipans7:50pm AEDT |
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Pre-Game Lead-Up: Conger was announced as Adelaide’s latest import signing after they released Deleon. The big man was a dominant force in the NBL last season and is a great, great coup for last campaign’s runner-ups. And how did they celebrate getting their marquee man? Only by smashing the struggling side who he played for last season in the form of Illawarra by a massive 25 points! Drmic, Johnson, Sobey and Wiley all went of as they shared the scoring load to the tune of 16 points each. That was while Deng scored eight of the pine. However all the focus was on Conger as in just under 18 minutes of play for his new side he ended up with eight points on 2/5 shooting along with five rebounds, two assists and one steal.
For Cairns they are still yet to claim a second W of the season as they slumped to their seventh loss in an 88-83 tight loss against Perth. The Taipans won the first quarter by seven points however after that they couldn’t muster up any more victories. And it all culminated in a 13-eight loss in over-time as the Taipans continue to be chained to last place. Both Melo and Hall had 18 points each, while Loe had 16. And Jawai scored 12. Melo also had 12 boards, seven dimes and one block in what was a massive effort from him. While Hall claimed five boards, two assists and one steal.
What Should Happen: Another Adelaide assault. The Hawks were the most recent team to feel the wrath of Adelaide as they were pummeled to the tune of 25 points. And early in the season it was the struggling Kings who felt the 36ers presence on the Basketball court. And now, however much unfortunately got them it’s the sorry Taipans turn to feel what Adelaide’s capable of. Despite their own struggles this campaign Adelaide have made a habit of turning it on against the bottom-feeders of the League and unfortunately for Cairns fans in this game, this one won’t be any different.
Betting tip: Pick the 36ers to be victorious at $1.33 (Neds, UniBet, BlueBet, Bet365, Ladbrokes)
Saturday, November 24
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Melbourne United v Sydney Kings2:50pm AEDT |
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Pre-Game Lead-Up: United beat Brisbane 102-94 in what was a high-scoring affair last round. Melbourne scored 25 in Q1, 18 in Q2, 34 in Q3 and 25 in Q4. Ware had a nice game with 23 points, six assists and one steal. While along with Barlow’s 18 points, he also got three boards, four dimes and a steal. Kennedy also scored 14, while coming of the pine Goulding put up 16 and Pledger 10. Goulding shot 5/11 while Boone was another Melbourne player to score in double-digits as he ended up with 10 as well as six rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block. United remain in 2nd place on the ladder and on the same amount of W’s as 1st placed Perth.
For the Kings they were hot in their 13 point win over the Breakers. Without Kevin Lisch they still played like a team full of super-stars as Randle scored 24, Bogut had 17, both Newley and Adnam put up 14 each, Kickert had 10, Bowen nine and Wear eight. It was a crazy good performance from Sydney. It was a game in which they also won every quarter bar the fourth. Randle also had five rebounds and five assists. While in addition to Bogut’s 8/15 shooting, he also claimed 10 boards, seven dimes, two steals and five blocks! Both Newley and Adnam also claimed a nice three assists each.
What Should Happen: How Adnam fills the void left by Lisch will go a long way to determining the result of this one. Last time out he stepped into the former MVP’s shoes just fine en route to 14 points and three dimes, among his other stats. Now coming up against his former side it’s an entirely different kettle of fish. However as he’s proven all season long he’s up to the task. Expect him to be strong in a Sydney victory.
Betting tip: Pick the Kings to be victorious at $2.05 (BlueBet, PalmerBet, Neds, Sportsbet, Bet365, Ladbrokes)
Sunday, November 25
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Illawarra Hawks v Adelaide 36ers2:50pm AEDT |
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Pre-Game Lead-Up: During the Hawks 104-79 crushing defeat vs the 36ers, they allowed the opposition to light them up for 21 points, 27 points, 31 points and 25 points in each quarter respectively. A shocking defensive display from Illawarra and a game that left them floundering in second last place and with only three wins on the season. Conklin shot 4/10. That while White was 0/3. Not only them but Ogilvy went 2/7 and Jackson only a slightly better 3/7. Coenraad went 0/6, Gida 2/6, Jett 3/8. And finally Nelson shot 0/2. A VERY, VERY POOR SHOOTING NIGHT!!! This is what undoubtedly never gave them a chance to compete with Adelaide for the win and something they’ll have worked on all week as they prepare for the revenge game.
Conger stared for the Hawks and was basically the only reason they had some sort of relevancy last season as he dragged them to wins as they fell just short of a finals spot. He was the equivalent of Russell Westbrook as he literally carried the team on his back and put up some crazy stats along the way. Then it’s announced he’s signing for the 36ers and his first game is against his former side as they smash them. This just piled on the misery for the Hawks. Making it worse is that they are 7th, yet they have two former League MVP’s on the team.
What Should Happen: Conger had to get used to the NBL again in his first game for Adelaide. However if he gets increased minutes in this one then expect him to do what he does best which is batter and damage the opposition with his array of skills. Unfortunately for the Hawks he’ll have a point to prove against his former side. He’ll be a man on a mission and especially against one of the NBL’s weaker defensive sides, he’ll have an absolute field-day. Expect him to be fully dominant in whatever time he gets on the court in another Adelaide victory.
Betting tip: Pick Adelaide to be victorious at $1.79 (UniBet)
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Perth Wildcats v New Zealand Breakers5:20pm AEDT |
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Pre-Game Lead-Up: Perth’s five point victory over the Taipans was their eighth of the season as they continued their tightly-locked grip on first place. That W saw them move to an insane eight wins from nine games so far this campaign. Greg Hire was an understated performer as despite only tallying three points and one assist, he claimed a massive 13 boards including 11 defensive rebounds, something that massively benefited the Wildcats in not allowing the Taipans second chance opportunities. While Jervis may have only scored 12, he did so on a very impressive 6/9 shooting. While he also pulled in eight rebounds and had a nice block to go along with his other stats as well.
As for the Breakers they opened Round Six with a tightly-contested 108-101 loss against Melbourne. The only quarter the Breakers won was the second. Their they actually piled it on against United as they scored 34 points to their 20. And it gave them a seven point lead heading into the half. Webster scored a massive 31 points, while Long had 15, Ili 13 and Wesley 12. While of the bench as usual Richard brought it on offence as he had 11 points. To go along with Wesbter’s massive 31 points on 11/16 shooting, he also had three boards, eight dimes and a steal.
What Should Happen: These two teams will have already faced of once this round by the time this match rolls around. And despite everything going against the Breakers they should win this game. And that’s because of the combination of factors working against Perth, they are battling injury problems and they’ll be tired. While as well as that, a side like Perth just scraping out a tight five point win against the Taipans isn’t exactly the greatest sign in the world for them. And the Breakers are a completely different side to the Taipans. Expect them to claim the close upset win.
Betting tip: Pick NZ to be victorious at $3.20 (Ladbrokes)
Best Bet of the Round
My favourite/best bet of the round is ADL to beat the Hawks at $1.79 (UniBet), if they did it by 25 points last round, then why not again this one? Especially with increased time from Conger!