The following are previews with betting tips for Round 14 of the 2019/20 NBL season.
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*Please note this was written during Round 13 due to the final game in RD13 and the first game of RD14 only having a days break between one another.
Friday, January 3
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Cairns Taipans v Brisbane Bullets7:30pm AEDT |
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Last RD- Cairns are currently in 4th spot. Through 18 match’s played they have 9W’s and 9L’s next to their name. They’ll be looking to continue their impressive form against a fighting Bullets side. Within the final minute of their last clash against MEL, Newbill scored a driving layup which eventually helped his side claim the close 75-77 victory. Q1 & Q2 they won, 20-9 and 26-21. Q3 & Q4 they lost, 23-17 and 22-14. Both Newbill and Machado scored 20PTS each. Djeric had 14PTS and Jawai scored 8PTS of the bench. Jawai also led the 2nd unit with 9REB, 1AST and 1BL. Newbill also had 5REB and 2AST. Machado had 6REB, 5AST and 2STL next to his name. Djeric’s other stats included 6REB, 3AST and 1STL.
For the Bullets, they’ve been fighting for their life as they try to move into a top four spot. It hasn’t been easy for them, but with Patterson, Sobey and other contributors on various nights they’ve been inching closer and closer to it. As it currently stands they are in 7th spot with 8W’s and 10L’s. They are just one win of 4th placed Cairns however, their opponents for this game. Brisbane’s latest effort was a close and much-deserved 102-96 win over Melbourne. They lost Q1, 29-27. But they then proceeded to win the next three, 28-22, 25-24 and 22-21. Cadee had a massive 21PTS of the bench. He also had 2AST as he shot a scorching hot 6/9 from beyond the arc. Patterson had 35PTS to go along with 6REB, 1AST and 1STL. He hit seven from deep! Sobey had 24PTS, 2REB, 3AST and a BL.
Key Battle- Machado vs Cadee. The two Guards have been in impressive form as of late as they try to gain their teams a finals berth. Machado has set the NBL alight this season with averages of 15.3PPG and 8.6APG. He’s been dictating Cairns offence with ease. And in his latest effort vs BRI, he scored 12 and assisted on 9 baskets. For Cadee he’s been hot and cold. But he is coming of a big 21PTS performance in which he made six three-pointers. Whether playing as a part of the 1st or 2nd unit, he can be an absolute weapon when he’s on fire. In a game that should be close, expect these two men to look to win it for their teams.
Betting tip: Pick Cairns to win at $1.43 (BlueBet)
Saturday, January 4
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Illawarra Hawks v Melbourne United5:30pm AEDT |
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Last RD- The Hawks have played 17 games so far this season. They’ve won just the four and lost a BIG 13 of them. Their last game they played hard, but they couldn’t quite get it done as they lost 112-102 to SEM. But massive up’s to them for producing 102 though! They lost Q1, 29-27. They won Q2, 31-29. They lost Q3, 33-23 and drew Q4, 21-21. Of the starters, Blanchfield had 22PTS, Dech 20PTS and Hobson 13PTS. Naar had 11PTS of the pine, while both Coenraad and Grida scored 10 each. Blanchfield also had 5REB and 1BL. Dech had 6REB. Hobson had am impressive 3REB, 6AST and 3STL. Naar had 2REB, 6AST and 2TL. This was an impressive team-effort from Illawarra. MEL are struggling badly at the moment. If they keep this sort of form up, who knows? Maybe they could spring an upset on them.
For Melbourne, they lost both their games played this round. As before their loss to BRI, they lost a tight 77-75 effort vs the Taipans. Trimble had the ball with just under 13secs left but he couldn’t hold onto it, turned it over and the Hawks ended up winning. He’s not exactly been a great player in the clutch for United so far this season. They lost Q1 & Q2, 20-9 and 26-21. They did win Q3 & Q4 though, 23-17 and 22-14. Those two efforts have left them in 3rd spot with a 10W’s and 9L’s record. They are two games of falling out of a finals position. Their key players from the defeat to Cairns were Ili who had 11PTS of the bench. Trimble also had 16, Goulding 15 and Long 14. Melo also had 1REB and 1STL. Goulding also had 1REB, 2AST and 2STL. Long also had 12REB, 1AST and 1STL. Ili had 4REB, 2AST and 2STL.
Key Battle- In Hobson’s first three games for the Hawks he scored 3, 9 and 0 points. He’s now coming of an impressive 13PTS performance in which he also dished out 6 dimes. He shot 5/10 from the court and also had three steals. Now he’ll have a huge test in doing in against Melo. Say what you want about Melo, but when he’s on, I strongly believe he’s a Top 3 PG in the NBL. He’s getting 21.0PPG and 4.8APG. Melo is a bit hot and cold sometimes, but he’s a great player when you look throughout his time with Cairns and his current tenure in MEL. The Hawks will need guys to step up in this one and expect Hobson to accept the challenge head-first. This will be a great battle to watch.
Betting tip: Pick Melbourne to win at $1.43 (BlueBet)
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Sydney Kings v Adelaide 36ers |
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Last RD- In their top of the table clash, the Kings choked when they most needed a W as they went down 98-85 to Perth at home. Q2 was the only one they won, 28-20. They lost all the others (in order), 24-22, 26-15 and 28-20.The result still leaves them in 1st, with 13 wins from 18 games played. But the Wildcats now have the same number of wins as them this season, just with one more match played. And Perth now have a 2-1 record on the season against SYD. If SYD want to win the Championship this season then they have to do better against elite teams such as the Wildcats. Ware had 33PTS and 1AST as he made a strong six threes. Bogut hit a solid 63.6% of his shots as he scored 15PTS. He also had 12REB, 2AST and 1BL. Both Taylor and Bruce also had seven points each of the bench.
The 36ers form has fallen of as of late. As a result of that they are currently 2nd last in 8th position on the NBL ladder. They have 8W’s and 10L’s from 18 games played so far this campaign. Their latest effort was a 96-87 loss to the Breakers, a fellow finals-aspiring team. The only Q they won was Q2, 25-23. They lost the other three (in order), 21-20, 26-24 and 26-18. Randle led the way with 28PTS, while Johnson had 19. Griffin had 12 of the bench and Drmic also scored 8. Randle also had 6REB, 4AST and 1STL in the usual awesome performance from him. Johnson also had 10REB, 2AST and 1STL. Girffin had 6REB and 2BL. Drmic’s other stats included 3REB, 2AST and 1STL. Friends of the court and enemies on it, both Jerome Randle and Casper Ware will need to be at their best and dictating the offence well for their side to have a fair shot at winning this game. And boy oh boy, don’t both teams need it!!!
Key Battle- Jerome Randle always balls out against his ex-team, the Kings. This isn’t an individual battle though, as he’ll need to summon all his powers to beat a super-star filled Kings side. Johsnon is Randle’s only reliable, somewhat consistent team-mate. So with that in mind, Randle will need at least 25+ points for his side to win this one. But that’s no problem. Lately he’s put up 28 vs NZ, 19 vs CNS, 26 vs ILL, 29 vs NZL and 26 vs PHX. Those are from his last five match’s. He’s also averaging 4.5APG and just under a steal per game. If he can drag his side into battle and get his team-mates up for it, then given Sydney are reeling of a heavy loss, who knows what could happen???
Betting tip: Pick Sydney to win at $1.43 (BlueBet)
Sunday, January 5
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S.E. Melbourne Phoenix v New Zealand Breakers3pm AEDT |
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Last RD- SEM are currently in 5th and just a single win outside of a finals spot as they have an 8W’s and 9L’s record for the campaign. Their latest game was a solid 112-102 win over the struggling Hawks, In this high-scoring affair they won Q1, 29-27. Lost Q2, 31-29. Won Q3, 33-23 and drew Q4, 21-21. Adnam posted an impressive 15PTS of the bench. Roberson scored 28PTS, while both Creek and Wesley had 25PTS each. Magden also scored 10PTS. Roberson had 2REB and 5AST as he hit a crazy six from deep. Creek had 5REB, 2AST, 1STL and 1BL. Wesley had 7REB, 5AST, 1STL and 1BL. He converted an impressive 7/10 two’s and 3/5 threes. Magden also had 4REB and 1AST. And Adnam got 2REB and 4AST. Credit is due where credit is due as SEM had three players score 25+ points in this one. Impressive!
The Breakers currently sit in 6th spot with an 8W’s and 10L’s record. They are now just amazingly one win of a finals berth. What a difference only a couple of weeks makes! Their latest effort was a 96-87 win against Adelaide and it was one that continued their charge up the ladder. They only lost Q2, 25-23. All the others they won, 21-20, 26-24 and 26-18. Hopson scored a BIG 31PTS, Henry had 20, Abercrombie had 12, Delany had 10 and Ashley scored 14 of the pine. Hopson also had 7REB, 3AST, 1STL and 1BL. Henry had 20PTS, 4REB, 8AST, 4STL and 1BL in what was a monster performance from him. Abercrombie had 5REB as well. Delany had 2REB, 2AST and 1STL. Ashley got 9REB, 1AST and 2BL.
Key Battle- Roberson vs Hopson. They’re two players who are like lightning when they have the ball. They can both do Kobe Bryant esque step-backs. And they both win match’s for their teams of their own backs. They are two very talented players and their have been questions asked as to why Hopson is not currently plying his trade in the NBA. Roberson is averaging 20.7PPG along with shooting 45.8% from beyond the arc. Hopson is hitting game-winner after game-winner and shooting 42% from 3 while averahing 18.8PPG. Watch these two go at it in this one.
Betting tip: Pick New Zealand to win at $2.40 (bet365)
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Brisbane Bullets v Perth Wildcats |
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Last RD- Before their awesome W over Melbourne, the Bullets had lost their previous game this past round 99-96 against New Zealand. This came about as Hopson sunk them and broke their hearts with the late game-winning three. Brisbane are in amongst the thick of it and are fighting tooth and nail for a finals berth within this season. They have their two stars and then on any given night, guys like Cadee, Braun or Magnay will step up HUGEEE for them. They won Q1 & Q3, 29-17 and 31-30. They lost Q2 & Q4, 24-22 and 28-14. Sobey had 29PTS as he made three threes. He also had 5REB and 6AST. Patterson had 21PTS, 9REB, 8AST and 1STL. He made eight total shots. Singler scored 9PTS and had 4REB and 1STL. Gliddon scored 8PTS. Whilst both Hodgson and Magnay had 7PTS each. Gliddon also had 2REB an 1AST.
Perth are currently 2nd with 13 wins from 19 games played this season. And they have the same number of wins as the 1st placed Kings as well. Their latest effort was a strong, strong, strong 98-85 victory against them. As a result of the W, they’ve now won two and lost only one against them this season. They only lost Q2, 28-20. All the others they won, 24-22, 26-15 and 28-20. Cotton scored 39PTS! Yep, you saw that right, 39! White had 24 and Kay 10. Cotton also got 4REB, 3AST and 2STL. He hit an insane 8 3’s on 13 attempts. White also had 4REB and 1AST. He shot 50% from deep, 3/6. Kay also had 10 boards and 1STL. Wagstaff posted 8PTS of the pine to go along with 4REB. Hunt had 7REB and Majok 6REB.
Key Battle- Gliddon vs Cotton. Cotton will tear Brisbane to shreds. And Gilldon, BRI’s under-performing Guard, needs to do something BIG about it. Gliddon is averaging just 6.7PPG this season. In his sides latest 6pt win over MEL, he scored just fiive points and shot only 2/6. This is despite the fact that he got over 23 minutes of playing time. Cotton on the other hand just scored 39 against the ladder-leading Kings. The comparison between these two is MASSIVE! Gliddon ain’t gotta go for 39. But he has to shoot better and score more to lessen the effort of the MVP-candidate Cotton. If he cant Brisbane will be in a whole lot of trouble in this one, like they’re already expected to be.
Betting tip: Pick Brisbane to win
Monday, January 6
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Adelaide 36ers v Illawarra Hawks7:30pm AEDT |
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Last RD- Adelaide’s only game so far this round has been their 96-87, nine-point defeat to New Zealand. It has left them struggling mightily as they are 2nd last, ahead of only the Illawarra Hawks. And that says something about ADL given that the Hawks have had an import and lost an import within a very short space of time, lost Ball and Brook’s to injuries. Whilst they’ve also suffered a number of other injuries. They have 10L’s this season. On the bright-side for them, the NBL is so deep and competitive this season, that they’re only a win of 4th spot. In the previously touched on defeat, Drmic was 2-7, Kyei 0-2, Griffin 4/10 and Moore 1/8. From deep it was, Drmic 1/5, Griffin 0/1 and Moore 0/3. They need to shoot a hell of a lot better then that of what they currently are. And they need a waaay beter conversion from deep and more players attempting them. Despite their position on the ladder, Illawarra are no push-overs and will beat ADL if they don’t bring their A game.
For the Hawks, they are last as mentioned before. They’ve had some terrible luck this season. Chief among them being projected NO.1 pick LaMelo Ball having suffered a serious injury that’s being ruling him out for a while now. Former NBA Guard and current-Hawk Aaron Brooks also suffered a devastating season-ending injury a while back. But they continue to fly and fight despite all of this stuff going on around them. Their latest game this current round was a 112-102 defeat to SEM. The high-scoring match saw them produce 31 points in Q2. An impressive effort considering all the scoring they’ve lost through injuries, etc. Blanchfield was 8/14, Dech 8/16, Hobson 5/10, Ogilvy 4/8. Coenraad 4/5, Grida 4/6 and Naar 5/9. All those guys shot 50% or better from the court. That good shooting vs the 36ers poor shooting could only do them wonders in this match-up.
Key Battle- Griffin vs Boone. Both these guys can capably run with the 1st unit, or be a leading big of the 2nd. However, both players are maddeningly inconsistent players and that pisses of their respective fan bases a fair bit. Griffin is averaging 14.9PPG this season along with 6.7RPG, 0.9STL and 1.4BL. He just scored 12 vs NZL and scored 11/ grabbed 11 against CNS. The match before that he scored only 9, shot just 33.3% of FT’s and gave away 3 fouls. Boone is getting 6.5PPG along with 4.9RPG. He’s also getting just under a block per game. Against SEM he scored just four points. The game before vs MEL he score 7PTS, had 7REB and did so while hitting 3/4 shots. These two big men going at it will be fun to watch!
Betting tip: Pick Adelaide to win at $1.48 (BlueBet, Sportsbet)