The following are selected previews with betting tips for Round 15 of the 2021 NBL season.
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Thursday, April 22
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South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Sydney KingsJohn Cain Arena 7:30pm AEDT |
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The Phoenix’s latest clash was a closely contested 90-81 defeat to Adelaide at the John Cain Arena. As for the Kings they came through in the clutch with an 89-84 win over the Taipans at Qudos Bank Arena. While during the same round, also in Sydney, the Kings toppled the Phoenix 97-90 in what was a massive game from both sides. Will the Phoenix reverse that result this time around or do the Kings have another ace card up their sleeve?
As a result S.E.M currently occupy 3rd spot with 13 wins from 24 games. While Sydney are a win behind in 4th, also from 24 games played. For the Phoenix losing Q3 vs Adelaide 28-19 harmed them greatly. As for the Kings, Q4 is what got them through, as they won 24-19.
S.E.M’s star performers vs the 36ers were Creek and Le afa off the bench who posted 17 and 14PTS each. Whilst Gliddon posted 14PTS as a starter. Creek shot 8/16 as he also had 14REB, 2AS and 2ST. While for Le afa he shot 66.7% inside the arc, also having 2REB, 1AS and 1ST. Gliddon shot 71.4% from the floor as his other stats included 6REB, 1AS and 2ST.
Vs the Taipans Ware was huge with 40PTS! He also shot an electric 7/14 from deep! He also had 2REB and 3AS, as he shot 15/26 overall and was as clutch as can possibly be. Louzada also played well in what was his final game for the Kings before linking up with the Pelicans as he had 11PTS. He shot 4/5 from 2-point range, also getting 7REB and 2AS. Whilst Vodanovich had himself a game off the pine with 9PTS. He hit 2/2 FT’s, as he also pulled in 5 boards.
How many more hits can the Kings take this season? Martin has been injured. Kickert has also missed time. Glover hasn’t played at all, nor has Cooks. Louzada missed a lot of time and now he’s gone. That while Vasiljevic suffered a season ending injury not that long ago. Weaver also left before the season started and Tate headed with him and more. In all honesty Forde isn’t Weaver and Tate was never truly replaced. South East Melbourne will push the Kings both physically and mentally in this clash, make no doubt about it! We’re about to see whether the Kings are contenders or pretenders!
Betting tips: Pick Sydney to win at $2.13 (Sportsbet)
Also pick them to have a handicap of +2.5 at $1.90 (Sportsbet)
Friday, April 23
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New Zealand Breakers vs Cairns TaipansSilverdome 7:30pm AEDT |
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The Breakers latest match at the RAC Arena saw them come away with the upset 83-78 victory over the Wildcats. For the Taipans they went down 89-84 to the Kings in Sydney. That was NZ’s 7th win of the season and places them one ahead of the Taipans in last spot (9th). Can Cairns do something about the disrespect, or will the Breakers fly a lil bit further ahead of them? And no Oliver for the rest of the season now due to personal reasons certainly does Cairns no favours here either.
Winning Q3 26-18 was absolutely vital for NZ in the context of their shock victory over Perth. And in the same round, but prior to that clash, they also toppled Brisbane by 20-points at the Silverdome. Winning Q2 21-10, they displayed some slick Basketball skillsets whilst also defensively choking the opposition. For Cairns they did win Q3 27-16 but ultimately it wasn’t enough to get the job done on that occasion. While they did however win the opening match of the round 91-88 against Adelaide. Oliver had a big 25PTS and 16REB in that one.
For the Breakers Randolph was huge coming off the pine with 23PTS as he shot 11/16 from the court. He also had 4REB and 3AS. C. Webster also shot 50% as had 7REB and 2AS. Iverson also once again had a massive game, this time producing 11PTS and 17REB. He also got 1ST to his name.
For the Taipans Oliver was big in his final game of the season with 27PTS. That while Machado and Ngatai had 14PTS each. Oliver shot 12/23 from the floor as he also had 19REB, 2AS, 1ST and 1BL. Machado went 6/12 as he also had 5 dimes. And Ngatai shot 5/10, good for 50% shooting from the court.
Looking back over the Breakers recent form it’s incredibly difficult to see them losing. They just beat the Wildcats and the Bullets. One of whom is the reigning champions and the other of whom is desperately trying to make the finals. Then they lost incredibly close clashes by 6, 6 and 7PTS. Then they beat Brisbane and lost by just 3 to Melbourne. Combined with the likes of Iverson (9.0RPG) and Delany (6.3RPG) dominating inside recently the paint, NZ should just edge this clash out.
Betting tips: Pick the Breakers to win at $1.42 (Sportsbet)
Also pick them to have a handicap of -5.5 at $1.90 (Sportsbet)
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Perth Wildcats vs Brisbane BulletsRAC Arena 9:30pm AEDT |
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Perth this past round played two games, winning one and losing one. First, they beat the Hawks 83-69 on their own turf, then the Breakers beat them also at the RAC Arena, 83-78. For Brisbane they played just the one, the 91-71 humiliation at the hands of the Breakers.
A win here would push the Wildcats into 1st place, while for the Bullets it would take them a step closer to the finals. Who wants it more? And who needs it more? It’ll all be left out on the court in this one!
Perth’s game defining Q vs NZ came in the 3rd as they went down 26-18. While against the Hawks it was also in the 3rd, but this time they won 18-9. For the Bullets losing Q2 vs NZ 21-10 did them an awful amount of harm.
Perth’s stars in their defeat were Mooney with 22PTS, Blanchfield with 19PTS and Wagstaff with 12PTS off the bench. Mooney shot an extremely efficient 9/10, as he also had 8REB, 2AS, 1ST and 1BL. Blanchfied also hit a pair of 3’s from deep, as his other stats included a board and a dime. And for Wagstaff, he shot 4/6 as he also got 1REB and 2AS.
For the Bullets vs NZ, Hodgson had 16PTS, Sobey 15PTS and Patterson came up with 9PTS off the pine. Hodgson shot 8/12 as he had 6REB, 1AS and 2BL. Sobey shot 4/4 from the FT line as he also got 6REB and 2AS. While Patterson came up with 5REB and 1ST as well.
One team is desperately trying to reverse their poor form (by their own high standards anyway) and the other needs to make the finals given the should be strong roster (at least on paper) they’ve compiled. It’s the Wildcats vs the Bullets in what should be the sort of match that is actually a lot closer than that of what you’d expect it to be. Cotton is averaging 24.43PPG and Sobey is at 22.91PPG. They are NO.1 and NO.2 this season in the NBL for scoring respectively. And with both players coming off the back of poor games, each Guard will be looking to resurrect their teams hopes with a big game. We’re in for an ABSOLUTE classic right here! Whether your going to the actual game of watching it on NBL TV make sure you don’t miss out.
Betting tips: Pick Brisbane to win at $2.89 (Sportsbet)
Also pick them to have a handicap of +5.5 at $1.90 (Sportsbet)