The following are previews with betting tips for selected fixtures in Round 9 of the 2021/22 NBL season.
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Illawarra Hawks vs Perth WildcatsThursday Jan 27, 7:30pm |
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What a fantastic way to open up Round 9 of the NBL as we have the 4th-seeded Hawks playing host to the 2nd-seeded Wildcats on a Thursday night. Who said weeknights were boring! With Illawarra having won 5/8 and Perth at 6/8, this is the literal definition of a blockbuster clash.
The Hawks flew high in Wollongong last time out, as they proved too good, too strong and too classy for the 36ers. And it was Harry Froling making it rain off the bench, as he poured in a game-high 27PTS, while his brother secured 18PTS as a starter. Meanwhile Tyler Harvey was lethal as usual with 19PTS, including 3/5 triples and 5AST. And Antonius Cleveland hit 5/6 FTS en route to 14PTS.
For the Wildcats, their last match was against the Hawks as they pounced at the WIN Entertainment Centre, prevailing 94-78 in a simply dominant five-star performance. Todd Blanchfield lit up his former side with 20PTS and 5REB off the pine. While Bryce Cotton and Vic Law were locked in for 46 combined points (24 & 22). Cotton made it rain from beyond the arc, shooting 4/6, while Law shot a respectable 40.0% rate, hitting 2/5. Then there was also Michael Frazier II who had a near double-double with 9PTS and 10REB included on his stats-sheet.
Regardless of who tops this clash, it’s simply guaranteed to be an entertainment bonanza! However, Perth are where Illawarra are currently striving to be as a team, and as such the Wildcats should edge this affair … just.
Betting tips: Pick Perth to win at $1.86 (Unibet)
Also look for Perth to win Q1 at $1.93 and Q4 at $1.93 (Unibet)
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Tasmania JackJumpers vs Adelaide 36ersFriday Jan 28, 7:30pm |
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Tasmania see Adelaide visit the MyState Bank Arena on Friday night in what is guaranteed to be a clash of multiple defensive geniuses. And despite the lowly statuses of both teams, it’s the grittier side of things that’s bound to electrify this much-anticipated match-up. In their latest tense encounter against S.E.M, Will Magnay bagged 2STL and 5BLK. Sam McDaniel also had 2STL as well! Whilst for the 36ers, in their close game against Illawarra, Daniel Johnson got 5DREB and 2BLK. This affair might not always be pretty, but it will produce plenty!
Despite going down 76-63 at home, the JackJumpers were far from embarrassed as they played a worthy game that perhaps on another day would’ve secured them the triumph. Clint Steindl was a standout with 16PTS as a non-starter, as he shot 6/13 from the floor, while also grabbing 2REB. Magnay was also commanding with 10PTS and 8REB, as all of Josh Magette and MiKyle McIntosh also recorded 9PTS each.
As for the 36ers they fought valiantly in their 100-89 loss at the ‘Gong’. Sam Dech had 20PTS, Todd Withers 15PTS and Daniel Johnson 10PTS, while Kai Sotto fashioned 12PTS coming off the pine. Dech also had 3REB, 3AST and 1STL, while Withers had 4REB and 2AST. Meanwhile Johnson hit a pair of triples from deep, as did Sotto who had perhaps his best game as a 36er yet.
Tasmania are due another win and where else to claim one then in front of their beloved and dedicated home supporters? They play hard and with a lot of heart and I see them being rewarded for that justly right here.
Betting tips: Look for Tasmania to prevail at $2.33 (Unibet)
Also pick there to be under 161.5 points scored at $1.90 (Unibet)
And look for the JackJumpers to win Q3 at $2.10 (Unibet)
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Brisbane Bullets vs South East Melbourne PhoenixSaturday Jan 29, 8:00pm |
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What should we expect when the Bullets play host to the Phoenix at the Nissan Arena this Saturday evening? A damn lot should and IS the only right answer to that question. Brisbane should be strongly fuelled by their late home match capitulation to Melbourne, while South East Melbourne are constantly rising, led by NBA player turned NBL superstar Mitch Creek, as they’ve lost just 2/7 games so far this season.
How the hell Brisbane lost 84-82 to Melbourne is anyone’s best guess! They opened Q1 with a commanding 28-17 lead, while they also scored 24PTS in Q3. However, it wasn’t too be enough, as Q4 saw them go down 25-18 and that right there was the game! A crucial one that if won, would’ve seen them go on equal wins with both the 3rd and 4th placed sides on the NBL ladder. Lamar Patterson led the way with 21PTS, while Nathan Sobey trailed him closely with 19PTS.
As for the Phoenix their latest game was contested at the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium where they toppled a resilient Taipans team 87-77. Creek commanded the team with 26PTS, while both Ryan Broekhoff and Xavier Munford produced 14PTS each. While Brandon Ashley and Cam Gliddon got 12PTS each. Creek’s stats also included the likes of 8REB and 7STL! Meanwhile Ashley shot 5/8 as he also had 4REB, 1AST, 1STL and 1BLK.
The Bullets will beat the top teams one day then get blown out by the struggling Kings the next. However, Patterson & Sobey are MASSIVE game players and I strongly suspect they’ll turn it up in an attempt to give the Phoenix a lesson or two about the definition of the word underestimation.
Betting tips: Pick Brisbane to win Q4, S.E.M to win Q1 and for the total match points to be over 161.5 whenever the match odds become available.
Best Bets of the Round: Pick Perth to win at $1.86 (Unibet)
Also look for Perth to win Q1 at $1.93 and Q4 at $1.93 (Unibet)