The following are previews with betting tips for selected fixtures in Round 2 of the 2021/22 NBL season.
View and compare the latest NBL bookmaker odds
View the NBL form guide
 |
Tasmania JackJumpers v Adelaide 36ersThursday Dec 9, 7:30pm |
 |
Contesting their inaugural match-up in Glenorchy, Tasmania, at the MyState Bank Arena, the JackJumpers got off to a winning start as they prevailed over the Bullets in OT, to the tune of an 83-74 scoreline. While for the 36ers, they went down in both their clashes, 81-71 against the Hawks (Adelaide Entertainment Centre) and preceding that, 85-73 to the Wildcats (RAC Arena). It’s safe to say that Scott Roth achieved exactly what he wanted from he first game in charge of the NBL’s newest franchise, in front of a sold-out crowd no less. As for C.J. Bruton, I’m sure there’s plenty more he’d like to see from his troops in this exciting clash.
Josh Adams led the way for ‘Tassie’, as he had 20PTS, whilst hitting 6 FT’s. Josh Magette also poured in 19PTS, as he hit 4 from beyond the arc. While Will Magnay posted 10PTS and Jack McVeigh and Sam McDaniel had 9 each. Adams also had 3REB, 1AST, 1STL and 1BLK. That while Magette showed his jack of all trades skills with 5REB, 6AST and 1STL. Meanwhile Magnay recorded a double-double with 10REB, to go along nicely with his 3BLK.
As for Adelaide in their first clash it was Daniel Johnson who had 22PTS, along with an impressive performance from Cam Bairstow off the bench with 15PTS and 7REB, in just over 25 minutes of playing time. And in their second encounter against Illawarra, it was again former Chicago Bull Bairstow who posted 15PTS off the pine, along with 8REB, 4AST and 1STL. Former NBA G-league player and new 36er Todd Withers also impressed with 13 boards to his name, that while Isaac Humphries bagged 13PTS and Mitch McCarron/Johnson had 12 each for the under performers.
As a player Bruton was a 6X NBL Champion, so it’s safe to say that losing is certainly not in this mans DNA. He also made five All-NBA teams throughout his career, as well as having claimed the Gaze Medal (2005) among numerous other honors. He will not be used to the rough start that his new-look Adelaide side are enduring and I would imagine that he would call upon every ounce of experience he gained throughout his illustrious career to try and get them out of this early hole that they find themselves in.
Look for him to focus on game plans that feed the ball heavily to Johnson, a 7X All-NBL Team Member and a very dominant force inside, 6/7 converted twos and 7/8 FT’s in the first game and 4/6 made twos in the second. In addition to doing the same for former Atlanta Hawk and NBL ROY Humphries. He a man who made 57.1% of his twos + swatted one away in their opening game. Whilst in the second he managed to get another block + 5/10 twos. They’ll seek to bully Tasmania inside in this affair in an attempt to walk away with the win.
Betting Tips: Pick Adelaide to hold out and win at $1.97 (bet365)
Also pick them to win Q4 at $1.94 (UniBet)
While you can also pick the 36ers to produce the games highest scoring quarter at $1.90
 |
South East Melbourne Phoenix vs New Zealand BreakersFriday Dec 10, 7:30pm |
 |
Playing at the John Cain Arena, the Phoenix smashed their opening game against a hapless Breakers side, as they triumphed massively, 89-65. And it was a 27-12 Q2 effort from South East Melbourne that really put the game away, as New Zealand seemingly had no answers for a fired up Phoenix side. With United losing to the Kings and South East Melbourne putting up a historic victory, they’ll no doubt be extremely content with how RD1 played out. Whilst the conquest has left the Phoenix in first and Breakers in last.
Xavier Munford was an absolute standout for the winners, as the former Milwaukee Buck and Memphis Grizzlie hit 4 three-pointers, good for 27PTS. That while he also acquired 7REB, 5AST and 3STL. What a way to debut for your new club! As the New Jersey born PG did things with a certain swagger out on the court. Mitch Creek also backed him up strongly with 8/11 made shots from inside the arc, as he secured 19PTS + 2REB and 2AST. Izayah Le’Afa also scored 8PTS, as did China-born Zhou Qi off the bench, while Cam Gliddon had 9PTS and 2STL among his other stats,
For New Zealand, Finn Delany poured in 18PTS, while Seattle native Peyton Silva had 11. Then making their presence felt off the pine, Hugo Besson and Kyrin Galloway had a 10-piece meal each. Delany’s other stats also included 9 boards and Silva’s were 2REB, 3AST and 1STL. Besson had 2REB and 1AST, while Galloway fashioned 7REB to his name, as he shot 4/6 from the floor.
What can Munford cook up against the Breakers? This given the massiveness of what he achieved last time out! The previous AmeriCup Gold Medal Winner recorded 2STL in his Memphis debut, while playing for the Lakers Summer League team he averaged 20.5PPG and 6.4APG. The veteran is certainly capable of reaching simply massive heights in the NBL and this exciting clash presents him with an almost immediate opportunity to do it all again. While there’s also the very alluring potential of what Qi may be able to provide, as the young 1996-born C certainly has a lot of potential. Against the Breakers he came up with 2STL and 3BLK. The 2017 CBA Champion is certainly one to keep an eye out for in this affair too.
As for the Breakers, Delany is their go to man here! With no more Corey Webster doing his thing, the onus seems to have fallen big time on the New Zealander’s shoulders to be their go-to-guy and he certainly didn’t disappoint last round, despite the heavy loss. The proud Kiwi will need to inspire his side big time here if they are to get anything from this clash. While Silva also has to simply do better then the horrific 3/11 shooting night he produced. He needs to play hard and play effectively!
Betting Tips: Choose the Phoenix to win with ease at $1.27 (PlayUp)
Also choose them to win Q1 at $1.48 (UniBet) and Q2 at $1.49 (UniBet)
Best Bets of the Round:
Look for the Kings to prevail in their game vs the Hawks at $1.85 (PlayUp) and win Q1 at $1.89 (UniBet)
Also choose Perth to best their game against Brisbane and win fairly comfortably at $1.35 (Sportsbet), while Tasmania should be expected to take care of business, just, beating Cairns at $2.14 (Sportsbet)