The following are previews with betting tips for Round 9 of the 2018/19 NBL season.
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Friday, December 14
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Perth Wildcats v Sydney Kings9:50pm AEDT |
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Pre-game lead-up: The last time these two teams faced off was just last round. And boy oh boy was it a good one, despite missing Bryce Cotton, Perth pushed Sydney all the way in a 77-72 defeat. Q1 ended at 20-all. Then heading into half-time Sydney had a 10 point advantage after keeping the Wildcats to only 13 points. The deficit was then down to nine at the end of Q3. And despite a Q4 23-19 victory, the banged up Wildcats couldn’t quite claim the comeback victory. And it represented only their 2nd loss of the campaign, a very impressive feat! For the victors Lisch and Newley led the way with 16 points a peice, while Bogut had 10. Lisch also had two boards, two dimes and two steals. While for Newley hed had nine rebounds, two assists and a swat. And among Bogut’s stats were three huge blocks. Perth’s main men were Kay and White who scored 17 points each and Steindl who had an impressive 16 of the bench. Steindl also pulled in four boards as he shot 6/11 from the court for 54.5%.
What should happen: A repeat of the last game contested between these two sides. The Kings only just prevailed in that one despite Perth missing their superstar and former NBA player. However despite Cotton returning expect the Kings to still get the victory in this one. Cotton will still be a lil bit rusty and the Kings will no doubt make life difficult for him because of that. And if he’s shooting badly, guarding Kay will take a lot out of Perth’s offence. It will be close, just like last time, but the Wildcats just won’t have quite enough in them to get it done.
Betting tip: Choose Sydney to win at $2.45 (PalmerBet, Bet365)
Saturday, December 15
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Brisbane Bullets v Adelaide 36ers2:50pm AEDT |
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Pre-game lead-up: Some late Chris Goulding FT’s couldn’t stop Brisbane as they stopped Melbourne in their tracks with an entertaining 97-94 victory. Patterson led the way and showed why he’s Brisbane’s marquee man as he hit 11/14 shots for a huge 33 points! He also had five boards, three dimes and a steal. That while Bairstow scored 13 and both Cadee and Hodgson had 12 each. Bairstow also had four rebounds and three assists. And Cadee had a lil bit of Curry in him as he went 3/6 from deep. Ultimately it was the fourth quarter that won it for the Bullets as they smashed Melbourne during that period 28 points to 14. As for Adelaide a crazy last second Jett shot denied them the win in their 87-86 defeat to Illawarra. Their fourth quarter is what cost them as they allowed the Hawks to beat them 20-12 during the period. Sobey and Wiley led the way with 24 points and 14 points respectively. Sobey also had four boards, one dime and three steals. While Wiley had a double-double with 11 points and he also got a steal.
What should happen: A Brisbane victory. You get the sense that this game could go down to the wire and be decided by only a couple of plays. Then it comes down to the superstars to decide the outcome of the match. Will it be Patteron on the back of 33 massive points or Conger on the back of three? Patterson is making his mark on the NBL, there’s no two ways about it. His ability to put the ball through the hoop and having replaced Alonzo Gee so very easily has been massive for Brisbane. Expect him to step up to the plate yet again and deliver the Bullets another victory.
Betting tip: Choose Brisbane to win at $1.77 (Ladbrokes)
Sunday, December 16
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Illawarra Hawks v Sydney Kings2:50pm AEDT |
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Pre-game lead-up: Jett take a bow, his crazy last-second shot won it for the Hawks and gave them the upset one point win over Adelaide. The man of the hour did everything with 16 points, six rebounds, five assists and a steal. While also coming of the bench, Andersen put up 11 points to go along with five boards, two dimes, one steal and one block. And three of the Hawks starters had 10 points each in the form of Blanchfield, Conklin and Ogilvy. The crucial periods for the Hakws were Q1 where they won 26-25 and Q4 where they were victorious 20-12. For Sydney besides their victory over Perth, they also last round beat NZ 71-70 in a thrilling affair. It’s incredibly obvious that Q3 won the game for them as they pummeled NZ into submission with a 21 points to six victory during the period. Bogut was simply massive with 23 points, 16 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Randle & Lisch also combined for 24 points, three rebounds and six assists. While Kickert had a nice 10 of the bench as he hit two three-pointers.
What should happen: The Hawks aren’t exactly known for their strong defence. Enter Andrew Bogut, a man who posted 23 & 16 last round. He will be absolutely vital in securing the Kings inside points and second chance opportunities. The former NO.1 pick is an absolute beast and in addition to all of that, he’s also averaging an impressive 3.2 bpg and 4.0 apg. What can’t he do? And among his other stats from his last game against the Hawks were 21 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks. Expect him to again perform massively in a Sydney win.
Betting tip: Choose Sydney to win at $1.60 (Ladbrokes)
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Cairns Taipans v New Zealand Breakers5:20pm AEDT |
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Pre-game lead-up: For the luckless Taipans they yet again lost as they went down by 22 points to the Wildcats. However in all fairness to Cairns, they were always going to be up against it competing against the best side in the League. They did however win Q3 20-19. Yet even after the first it was going to be a tough, tough match as they were down by 14 points already. DJ scored 17 and Jawai had 13. As well as that of the bench Kenny had 12 and Loughton 11. But it wasn’t nearly enough as poor shooting killed of their chances. Loe only took two shots and hit neither of them, while Melo went 2/9 and had only eight points. Kuany hit zero of two as did Young. Walker went only 1/4 and Loughton shot 4/11. While for NZ they went down 71-70 to Sydney in what was a close, close game. The Breakers won Q1 23-20 and Q4 29-15. However in-between they struggled putting up only 12 and six points respectively. Abercrombie scored 18 and Wesley 14. And Weeks had a huge 19 of the bench. Wesley also had 11 boards, two dimes and a swat. While for Abercrombie his other statistics included six rebounds and getting hot from deep, 4/6.
What should happen: Cairns claim their second victory of the campaign. Yes you saw that right, they’ll win another game! Melo ain’t gonna shoot 2/9 again. Cairn’s aren’t gonna start of a poorly again. While the Breakers themselves are no world-beaters this year. Fiery efforts from Melo & DJ, combined with solid efforts from Jawai, Loughton & Co could see Cairns claim a morale boosting victory. NZ themselves are only one spot ahead of Cairns on the ladder. You heard it here first, this side will be having a venomous victory over their opponents, no pun intended.
Betting tip: Choose Cairns to claim the upset W at $2.25 (Sportsbet, BlueBet, Neds, PalmerBet, Bet365)
Monday, December 17
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Melbourne United v Perth Wildcats7:50pm AEDT |
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Pre-game lead-up: Melbourne lost by three in a frantic effort last time out against Brisbane. Barlow led the way with 20 points, while Ware closely followed him with 17. Goulding also had 15 and Boone 11. Ware also had nine dimes in his near double-double. While Barlow also had three rebounds, three assists and one steal. And Goulding to his credit hit some late clutch FT’s and also had three from deep during the match. Q1 was great for Melbourne as they came out with a 10 point advantage heading into the second. However fast-forward to the final quarter and it wasn’t so great after they lost 28-14. For the Wildcats in their commanding 94-72 victory against Cairns they left the first quarter with a 14 point advantage. While they also put up 23 in the fourth and kept the Taipans to only 14. It was a simply commanding effort by them! Cotton had 21, while Kay had 15. Cotton also had seven boards and Kay eight boards and six dimes. While coming of the pine White had 15 and Martin 11. The Wildcats made this professional Basketball stuff look easy!
What should happen: What we would normally expect to come from these two teams and entertaining and tight, tight game of Basketball. However one in which Melbourne should claim the goodies. Perth showed that they do in fact have weaknesses in their loss against the Kings. And although they rebounded well against Cairns, United are a completely different side. Melbourne have Ware & Goulding to counter the attacking threats that Cotton & Kay pose. but outside of them due to injuries Melbourne are deeper and as a result are more difficult to beat. Watch that come into play and become a massive factor as Melbourne claim the W.
Betting tip: Choose Melbourne to win at $1.74 (Neds)
Best Bet of the Round
My favourite/best bet of the round is for the Kings to beat the Hawks at $1.60 (Ladbrokes), with the form they are in the Hawks are in for some real trouble!