The following are previews with betting tips for Round 17 of the 2019/20 NBL season.
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Thursday, January 23
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Brisbane Bullets v S.E. Melbourne PhoenixNissan Arena 7:30pm AEDT |
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Last Round-
Brisbane are currently equal 4th as they are fighting tooth and nail for the final playoffs spot. They posses an 11 wins and an 11 losses record. Their’s is the exact same as Melbourne United, the franchise that is their major hurdle as the Bullets attempt to reach back-to-back finals appearances. Their latest efforts were their biggest of the season. They overcame the Hawks massively, to the tune of a 106-77 score-line. Brisbane won every Q bar the 1st, which they lost 26-24. They won Q’s 2, 3 and 4, 23-21, 36-17 and 23-13. Patterson had 20PTS, all of Gliddon, Hodgson and Sobey scored 16, Cadee had 15 and Magnay 11. Patterson also had stats of 9REB, 4AST and 2STL, as he hit 70% of his shots. Gliddon also had 1REB, 3AST and 2STL next to his name. Hodgson’s other stats were 6REB, 1AST and 2STL. Sobey got 4REB and 3AST, as he hit 3 from deep. Cadee also had 2REB and 5AST, as he was hot, converting 4 3’s. And Magnay also got 8REB, 2AST and an NBL season-high 6BL! What a beast! This was an awesome effort all round from the finals aspiring team.
It would take a serious miracle for the Phoenix to make the finals at this point. They currently have 9 wins and 13 losses from 22 games played so far this season as they wallow in 8th and 2nd last position on the NBL ladder. This comes after their crushing 17 point, 98-81 defeat to the Kings away from home last round. SEM couldn’t win a single Q as the scores from 1-4 were 27-24, 30-26, 18-18 and 23-13. Adnam posted a big 17PTS of the bench against his former team. Roberson had a big 27PTS, Creek 14, Wesley 12 and Magden 9, also coming up against his ex-side. Pineau posted 13REBS against his former team mates in the form of the Kings. Adnam also had 1REB and 1AST. Creek had 6REB and 3STL, as he hit 6 shots in total. Wesley also got 7REB and 1AST. And hot-shooter Roberson had 2REB, 4AST and 1STL, as he channeled his inner-Harden and made five 3’s from beyond the arc. Madgen’s other stats included 6REB and 2AST.
Key Performer (This Encounter)-
Creek. SEM don’t have much of a chance in this one so they’ll need the former Timberwolve and Net to at least play up to his averages of 20.0PPG,6.9RPG and 3.1APG, for them ti be in with a shot of stealing this one away right from underneath the Bullets noses.
Betting tip: Pick Brisbane to win at $1.50 (SportsBet, BetEasy)
Friday, January 24
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Illawarra Hawks v Sydney KingsWin Entertainment Centre 7:30pm AEDT |
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Last Round-
The Hawks season is over and that’s the polite way of saying it. It’s impossible for them to make the finals as they have a 5 wins and 18 defeats record at present. It was also recently announced that LaMelo Ball would not be playing another game in an Illawarra uniform. This was probably the best choice for himself as it means he can fully focus on this upcoming draft in his pursuit of being the NO.1 pick. Their last game was a 106-77 demolition job at the hands of Brisbane. They won Q1, 26-24. But all the others they lost, 23-21, 36-17 and 23-13. Glover posted 18PTS and Blanchfield 17. Coenraad also had 9PTS, as did Grida. Glover shot 7/11, as he also had 6REB, 1AST and 2STL. Blanchfield made 5/7 2’s, en route to 4REB, 2AST and 2STL. Coenraad had 1REB, 1AST, 2STL and 1BL. Grida also had 3REB. Boone bagged 7boards of the bench. The rest of the sides effort was pretty basic at that!
23 Games, 16 wins and just 7 losses. That’s the Kings record currently and they are so, so close to claiming 1st Spot headed into the finals. They gotta keep up that killer form though! That killer form saw them claim a 17 point, 98-91 dominant victory over the Phoenix last round. The Kings didn’t lose a Q. From 1-4 the scores were, 27-24, 30-26, 18-18 and 23-13. They were killa in the 4th as they ended SEM’s faint playoffs hopes with a damaging loss. Of the starters, Newley had 17PTS and both Ware and Tate 14 each. Of the bench, Didi lit it up with 18PTS and Kickert 12. Bruce also scored 8. Didi also had 2REB, as he shot 8/11 from the floor. Kicks got 5REB, 1STL and 1BL, as he shot 2/2 from deep. Newley also had 4REB, 1AST, 1STL and 1BL. Ware had 1REB and 6AST, as he impressed in front of his parents who were in the building! And Tate also had 1REB and 5AST. From start to finish, Sydney were dominant in this one.
Key Performer (This Encounter)-
Cooks. He’s a maddeningly inconsistent performer. Last RD he scored only 6PTS and grabbed 8REB. The game before that (also last RD), he got 12 and 10. The two games before that 6 and 8/ 6 and 8. Before that it was 7PTS and 9REB. He needs to show that he’s more than dunks and lobs this game. What better way to do it than against the last placed Hawks???
Betting tip: Pick Sydney to win at $1.20 (SportsBet, BetEasy)
Saturday, January 25
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Adelaide 36ers v Brisbane BulletsAdelaide Entertainment Centre 5:30pm AEDT |
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Last Round-
Adelaide have 11 wins, but a terrible percentage. This makes this a must win clash against a Brisbane side also on 11 W’s. This game is so, so, so close to being a do-or-die one for the 36ers. They’re currently in 7th position with 12 defeats to their name. And if their last game is anything to go of, it’s going to be a die, as they suffered a big 108-91 defeat to Cairns. Adelaide won Q2, 25-24, however, that was the only one they won. The three other Q scores were all in Cairns favor, they were 30-18, 31-28 ad 23-20. Johnson scored a MASSIVE 38PTS!!! And Randle had 21. Froling scored 8PTS and Drmic 7. Johnson also had 8REB, 2AST and 1BL, as he converted an impressive 11/20 shots from the floor. Randle also had 9REB, 10AST and 1STL, as he was so, so close to getting a maiden NBL triple-double. Froling had 4REB and 1BL. Drmic had 5REB and 1AST. Besides Johnson and Randle, the 36ers were very, very poor in this encounter.
Brisbane’s only game this past round was their already touched on 29 point, 106-77, thrashing of the Illawarra Hawks. The strong W has left Brisbane in 5th spot on 11 wins. They also have 11 losses and are equal with 4th placed Melbourne in that regard. They also have the same amount of wins as both NZ and Adelaide, but they’ve played a game less then those two sides. Brisbane obviously want a finals spot and badly at that! The key Q from their affair vs the Hawks was Q3. Heading into that Q the game was at an even score, 47-47. But coming out of that and into the 4th, Brisbane were leading by 19. That was via their 36-17 and decisive thrashing of them. In order, Gliddon had 16PTS, Hodgson 16, Magnay 11, Patterson 20, Sobey 16, Cadee 15, Harrison 4, Singler 5, Te Rangi 1 and Vukona 2.
Key Performer (This Encounter)-
Johnson. Adelaide struggled against Cairns last round. So there’s nothing different to say that they wont do so against the Bullets in this game as well. He scored a HUGEEE 38PTS last round! For the campaign he’s averaging 17.9PPG, and 8.1RPG. That will come in crucial against the scoring threats i.e. Patterson & Sobey and the defensive threats i.e. Magnay and Patterson, that Brisbane posses.
Betting tip: Pick Brisbane to win at $2.20 (BlueBet, UniBet, Bet365)
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Perth Wildcats v New Zealand BreakersRAC Arena |
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Last Round-
Sitting in 2nd place, the Wildcats are all but assured of a finals berth this season barring a dramatic late collapse. Just one win of 1st, they are looking as good as ever to add another Championship to the collection. Through 23 matches played, they’ve won 15 and lost just 8. They destroyed South East Melbourne in their latest game. They were victorious 97-71 in the utterly huge score-line. They won or drew every Q. In order, 1-4, the scores were, 19-10, 25-23, 30-15 and 23-23. Cotton scored 25PTS. He also had 3REB and 7AST, as he made a pair of 3’s. Norton had 18PTS, to go along with 2REB, 3AST and 3STL. White shot 50% en route to 15PTS, 2REB and 2AST. Kay had 10PTS, 5REB, 4AST and 1BL. Steindl had 11PTS of the pine, to go along with his 3REB and 1AST. Majok, also of the pine, got 8PTS, 10REB and 2AST. And Plumlee had 2REB, 5AST, 1STL +2PTS, in just over 16 minutes of playing time.
New Zealand are in among it as they currently fight for a finals berth. They’re currently in 6th spot, and are only out of the finals because they’ve played a game more then Melbourne and Brisbane. They have a 11-12 record through 23 matches played. Their finals hopes will be dangling by a thread with a loss here, they’ve gotta get up for this one, NO MATTER WHAT! And in their latest efforts, they burned United to the ground, as they proved victorious in a commanding 90-68 win. They won every Q. The scores were, 26-18, 20-17, 21-16 and 23-17. All five of their starters scored in double-figures. Hopson had 22, Loe and Delany 14 each, Weeks 13 and Abercrombie 11. Both Ashley and Henry had 8PTS each coming of the pine. Hopson also had 9REB, 2AST, 2STL and 1BL, as he hit 4 3’s. Loe also got 5REB and 2AST, as he shot 75% from the floor. Delany had 10REB, 3AST and 2STL, as he went 1/2 from deep. This was a deep effort from the Breakers and a team effort from them too.
Key Performer (This Encounter)-
Loe. In his sides 22 point win over Melbourne last round, he scored an impressive 14PTS, while going an awesome 6/8 from the floor. He also pulled in 5 boards among his other stats. He is a solid if not great starting C for New Zealand. And Plumlee, despite his NBA credentials, is still adjusting to life in the NBL and has struggled a little bit in some ways. It’s paramount that Loe takes advantage of this to give his underdog Breakers side a fighters chance at claiming a win here.
Betting tip: Pick New Zealand to win at $3.62 (SportsBet)
Sunday, January 26
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S.E. Melbourne Phoenix v Cairns TaipansState Basketball Centre |
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Last Round-
SEM have already been talked about previously via their damaging 98-81 loss to Sydney last round. The match before that, it was the Wildcats who thrashed them, 97-71. They seemingly couldn’t catch a break against the two best teams in the NBL. These two heavy defeats have left them in 8th spot, with little to no hope of featuring in this seasons NBL finals series. They have 9 wins and 13 losses through 22 games played so far this campaign. They didn’t win a single Q against Perth as the scores were, 19-10, 25-23, 30-15 and 23-23. Walker led the way for SEM with 16PTS of the bench. Roberson had 11, Pineau 9, Stephens 9 and Creek 7. OUCH! Walker also had 2REB and 1STL, as he made 4/6 2’s. Roberson also got 3REB AND 6AST + he did all that in only just over 25 minutes of playing time. Pineau had 8EB and 1STL, as he went a perfect 3/3 from the floor. Stephens had a REB, a STL and a BL next to his name. + He too went a perfect 3/3 from the court. And Creeks stats among others included pulling in 7 boards.
Cairns only match last round was their easy 108-91 demolition job of the 36ers. This has left the Taipans strongly sitting in 3rd on the 2019/20 NBL ladder. They have 13 wins and 10 losses from 23 games played so far this campaign. Who woulda seen this coming? Not many, that’s for sure! They lost Q2, 25-24. But that was it, as all the others they won. The other scores were 30-18, 31-28 and 23-20. Newbill had 28PTS. Oliver had 24PTS. Machado had 21PTS. Djeric had 11PTS. Kenny also had 11PTS. And Jawai had 9PTS. Newbill also had 3REB, 2AST and 1STL, as he shot a very strong 11/16 from the floor. Oliver had 15 big REB, 1AST and 1BL, as he shot 60%. Machado ended up with 3REB, 9AST and 1STL. He made 3 from deep. Djeric had 3REB, 5AST and 2STL. Kenny got 4REB and 1AST. And finally, big Jawai got 4REB and 2AST.
Key Performer (This Encounter)-
Machado. SEM are struggling in most areas this season, while Machado is the complete opposite. He’s excelling in most areas. His season averages of 16.9PPG and 8.1APG show exactly that. And in his latest efforts vs the Phoenix, he scored 18 and handed out 6 dimes. The MVP candidate should have a game and a half in this one.
Betting tip: Pick Cairns to win at $1.82 (SportsBet)
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Sydney Kings v Melbourne UnitedQudos Bank Arena |
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Last Round-
1st on the ladder and they continue to re-write history the Kings do! They have 16 wins and only 7 losses this season as they continue to be the team to beat this current NBL campaign. They’re a win ahead of 2nd and three ahead of 3rd. They’re all but a lock to feature in this seasons playoffs series for the second season running. They did however open last round with an upset 88-81 loss to the Breakers over in New Zealand. The Kings won Q2, 24-19, but that was the only one they won. The other scores were, 24-24, 25-22 and 20-11. Tate fouled out early in the 4th + there was no Lisch, Moller or Bogut for the injury plagued Kings. Walker got 0 minutes of play time as well. Tate had 22, Ware 17 and Cooks 12. Kickert had 8, as did Didi and Taylor scored 7. Tate also had 4REB and 1AST, as he hit 7 of his 12 attempted shots. Ware also had 5REB, 5AST and 1STL, as he hit 50% of his 2-point shots. Cooks had 10REB and 2BL, as he also went 50% from inside the arc. Hunter also had 4PTS and 4REB, as the young C went a neat 2/3 from the floor in a tad over 10 minutes of playing time. Newley also got 2STL as a starter.
Melbourne are 4th and equal 5th as they currently have 11 wins and 11 defeats through 22 games played so far. They are on the same amount of wins as all of the Bullets, Breakers and 36ers. They have a higher % than Brisbane and a game in hand over NZ and Adelaide however. They are fighting for that 4th and final finals spot. Although based of their recent form, it doesn’t look like they want it all that much! They were smashed 90-68 by New Zealand last time out. Every Q ended in NZ’s favor. The scores were 26-18, 20-17, 21-16 and 23-17. Long had 18PTS, Goulding 13 and Melo 12. Of the pine, Ili had 9 and Kidd 8. Long had 4REB, 2AST, 2STL and 1BL, as he went 8/14 from the court. Goulding hit a pair of 3’s as he also had 3REB, 4AST and 1STL. Melo had 4REB, 5AST and 2STL. He too hit a pair of 3’s. Ili had 3REB and 1STL. Kidd had 4REB, 1AST and 2STL. This was a poor, poor effort from United to say the least!!!
Key Performer (This Encounter)-
Goulding. By his standards, his season probably hasn’t been up to the high standard, he and we the fans expect of him. His had some bad shooting performances this season, that’s for sure. But the Kings won’t be beaten inside, so it’s up for him and United to win it from deep. He’s getting 17.4PPG this season and is shooting 39.8% from 3. He would love nothing more than to help knock the Kings of their perch. He’s primed for a big effort in this one.
Betting tip: Pick the Kings to win at $1.50 (BetEasy)
Best Bet of the Round
Pick Brisbane to win at $1.50 (SportsBet, BetEasy) vs SEM
Also pick Cairns to win at $1.82 (SportsBet) vs SEM