The following are previews with betting tips for selected fixtures in Round 16 of the 2021/22 NBL season.
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Illawarra Hawks vs South East Melbourne PhoenixThursday Mar 17, 7:30pm |
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With the Hawks in 5th playing host to the 4th placed Phoenix, both teams are in precarious positions when it comes to playing Finals Basketball. With so much on the line it’s guaranteed to be a weeknight cracker down in the ‘Gong’!
South East Melbourne have a 5-3 record away from John Cain Arena and State Basketball Centre this campaign, proving ruthless when on the road. That’s in no small part down to Mitch Creek, the ex-NBAer who torched his old employers the 36ers when last playing out of Victoria, the Forward putting up 29PTS, 7REB, 5AST and 2STL in his sides dominant 83-76 win. The former Fans MVP also shot 9/18 last round in the Derby en route to 27PTS, 7REB and 5AST as his Phoenix suffered a narrow defeat to Melbourne United. Meanwhile there’s also Zhou Qi with the Chinese big man not so quietly doing his thing anymore as he shot 6/8 from the floor (75%) for 16PTS, in addition to his 12REB, 2AST and 3BLK in the loss. This unlikely front court duo will no doubt cause Illawarra some serious problems in this clash, meaning Brian Goorjian will be on red alert.
Did you know Illawarra have won five of their last seven matches and three of their last four at home. However, when the Phoenix last travelled to Wollongong, they prevailed by one-point, 88-87. Xavier Munford was massive that day with 24PTS, 2REB and 5AST for the visitors.
Betting tips: Look for the Phoenix to win at $2.05 (Bet365)
Also look for the Phoenix to produce the highest scoring quarter at $2.20 (Bet365)
And look for them to score over 87.5PTS at $2.25 (Bet365)
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Adelaide 36ers vs Cairns TaipansFriday Mar 18, 7:30pm |
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The 36ers head into their clash against the nervy Taipans having lost four of their past six games at home. However, on the flip side they’ve also triumphed in seven of their last eight H2Hs against Cairns. And with both sides just having copped nine-point losses, it’s anybody’s best guess as to what will happen between the NBL’s fodder teams.
After his sides twelfth defeat of the season last weekend to the Breakers, 84-75, Mitch McCarron was captured postgame cleaning up the trash left in the stands by 36ers supporters. That game he shot 0/6 in over 33-minutes of play, so it was probably the biggest contribution he made all day! In all seriousness however to witness the ex-Slovenian League champion do that after a lacklustre performance is something special, while most players would’ve just headed to the locker room and then home after that type of game. Despite not signing Casper Ware (despite the strong rumours linking the player and club together), there are still signs of life in this Adelaide team. They rebounded from a 16-30 Q1 performance against New Zealand to prevail in Q2 24-16 and playing a poor Taipans team may just be the antidote they need to get their faltering campaign back on the rail roads.
Did you know the Taipans have an atrocious away record! Having gone down in 23/26 past matches contested away from Cape York Peninsula! Meanwhile their last three away defeats have been by 10, 11 and 25PTS each!
Betting tips: Look for the 36ers to claim a gusty victory at $1.52 (Bet365)
Also back Adelaide to score over 71.5PTS and Cairns over 69.5PTS at $1.13 and $1.18 (Bet365)
And look for the 36ers to win the race to 15 and 20 points at $1.67 and $1.95 (Bet365)
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South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Sydney KingsSaturday Mar 19, 8:00pm |
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Sydney have triumphed in nine of their last ten clashes as they’ve surged all the way up to 3rd on the ladder. While they’ve also won nine of the eleven overall affairs contested between the two star-studded teams. What better way to spend a Saturday night then by tuning into this must watch entertainment!
In their most recent 86-77 victory over the Taipans at the Cairns Convention Centre, despite missing Xavier Cooks, the Kings weren’t afraid to go hard out resulting in some stunning performances. Jaylen Adams again presented his NBL MVP case to the world as he fashioned 24PTS (three threes), 5REB, 7AST and 1STL. While Jarell Martin was right there with him as the former Memphis Grizzlie shot 6/12 for 15PTS, along with four-boards and one-steal. Makur Maker also had 5PTS and 10REBS as a starter, while ex-Warrior Ian Clark had 12PTS, 3REB and 2AST off the pine in just under 20-minutes of court time. Another similarly commanding effort like this and South East Melbourne won’t know what hit them!
Did you know Sydney edged the Phoenix in their most recent H2H, prevailing 92-87. And they did so despite South East Melbourne producing two of the games top three scorers in the form of Ryan Broekhoff with 25PTS and Mitch Creek with 23PTS. Meanwhile Xavier Cooks fashioned 23PTS and 5REB. A similarly scintillating game from both sides is set to take place here.
Betting tips: When the match odds become available pick Sydney to win, to win Q1 as well and to score over 85.5PTS.
Best Bets of the Round – Illawarra Hawks vs South East Melbourne Phoenix
Look for the Phoenix to win at $2.05 (Bet365)
Also look for the Phoenix to produce the highest scoring quarter at $2.20 (Bet365)
And look for them to score over 87.5PTS at $2.25 (Bet365)