The following are previews with betting tips for selected fixtures in Round 2 of the 2022/23 NBL season.
View and compare the latest NBL bookmaker odds
View the NBL form guide
|
Illawarra Hawks vs South East Melbourne PhoenixThursday Oct 06, 7:30pm |
 |
As the Illawarra Hawks gear up to host the South East Melbourne Phoenix they do so having triumphed in 10 of their last 15 contested matches at the WIN Entertainment Centre (NBL and trial matches included). Meanwhile for the Phoenix, their form is shockingly woeful as of late, they didn’t win a single trial match over the off-season, possessing a 0-6 record. But turning the script around, the Hawks went down in their latest affair vs the Kings, whilst South East Melbourne prevailed over Tasmania, as Kyle Adnam put up a career high 30PTS, whilst Mitch Creek also chipped in with a solid 23PTS. This match is well and truly there for the taking to whomever wants it the most, as it promises to be an entertaining affair.
Mitch Creek loves to shoot and kill Hawks in the figurative sense. Coming off a 23PTS, 6REB, 2AST and 1STL performance for South East Melbourne, the NBL superstar has done the perfect preparation in order to face off against a Top Four side from last season. In his latest outing vs the Hawks, he put up 15PTS, 4REB and 3AST. Prior to that it was 18PTS, 3REB and 3AST. Now before that in what was a closely contested one-point Phoenix victory he locked down 20PTS, 3REB and 3AST. He’ll need to continue that rich vein of form given that the Kings went to the foul line 27X against Illawarra last round. Whilst the Kings also locked down 26/46 two-point attempts vs Illawarra. Creek gobbles up baskets down low and with the Hawks weaknesses highlighted last weekend, he’ll be putting himself in commanding positions all night long in order to hopefully take full advantage of that. A star game from Creek should deliver the Phoenix a dub here.
Betting tips: Pick the Phoenix to prevail at $2.10 (Bet365)
Also back them to edge Q1 out at $1.95 (Bet365)
|
New Zealand Breakers vs Tasmania JackJumpersFriday Oct 07, 5:30pm |
|
The Breakers head into their clash against the JackJumpers having suffered a valiant defeat in RD1, as they lost a heartbreaking overtime encounter 101-97 against Melbourne United. Despite 23PTS efforts from both Florida-born Barry Brown Jr. and ex-Orlando Magic Summer League representative Derek Pardon, they just couldn’t quite crack the home side open in the dying stages of the match. However based off that match, they certainly appear to be on the right tack this season. Meanwhile that was in stark comparison to the JackJumpers who got absolutely thrashed by the Taipans in Tasmania, 106-84. Last season the ‘Jackies’ gave up 100 points just twice, meanwhile it’s already happened to them once this campaign. This match presents an awesome opportunity for New Zealand to get a win on the board for NBL22/23, however Scott Roth’s men would no doubt like to break their current five-game NBL losing streak into smithereens as well. This encounter may well prove to be a close one.
At MyState Bank Arena the Taipans were robbing the ‘Jackies’ in broad day light, as Majok Deng and Shannon Scott combined for 42PTS, 8REB, 7AST and 2STL off the bench, as they absolutely lit up the home side. This heavily contributed to Tasmania’s dismal Q2 and 3 efforts in which they conceded 33 and 39PTS respectively. Not only that, but both Josh Magette and Milton Doyle also stunk up the place with their horrendous shooting efforts. Maggette had only 3PTS, as he shot just 1/6 from the floor, meanwhile Doyle was just 5/16 and 1/8 from beyond the arc. Magette, the Atlanta Hawks inaugural two-way contact player, needs to show his decisive leadership this match and step up to the plate. He cannot be having his Grand Final side of last season start this one 0-3. As for Doyle, his shooting is supposed to be replacing that of the now-departed Josh Adams, but it looks like he’s just chucking up random shots on NBA2K at the moment. He needs to work together with Magette so that they can source better looks for one another. If they can successfully do that then Scott Roth & Co will be celebrating their first win of the season come the full-time siren.
Betting tips: Pick Tassie to claim a close win at $2.65 (Bet365)
Also look for them to reach over 78.5PTS at $1.52 and for the Breakers to get over 75.5PTS at $1.15 (Bet365)
 |
Sydney Kings vs Brisbane BulletsFriday Oct 07, 7:30pm |
 |
Sydney have won 14 of their last 19 overall encounters against Brisbane. Sydney are also the reigning NBL Champions. Not too mention the Kings defeated the Hawks last time out, 106-97, whereas the Bullets went down fairly easily 87-73 versus the Wildcats. However as we’ve already played witness to this season, when two teams step foot out onto the court all previous form goes out the window and the winner is decided by who plays better on the floor during this particularly special occasion. That is where the champions might be challenged in the form of powerful ex-NBA duo Tyler Johnson (PG) and Aaron Baynes (C). Most recently with the Spurs and amongst other teams the Heat for five years, Johnson bagged 13PTS, 4REB and 4AST on his Bullets debut, as he lit up the floor with three three-pointers. And for Baynes, a 3X medal winner with the Australian national team, he wasn’t afraid to mix things up either with 11PTS, 7REB, 1AST and 1STL. If anybody can possibly counter the Kings duo of Derrick Walton Jr. and Xavier Cooks then it’ll be the Bullets marquee Men.
Speaking of Walton Jr. he locked down the most ever points on debut by a King as he banged in 32PTS against Illawarra. The former Piston also had 4REB, 8AST and 1STL, as the Kings equalled the Canberra Cannons record for most ever consecutive away wins. Victory NO.15 was also heavily contributed to by Cooks who ‘cooked’ up a real feast in his high school hometown with 24PTS, 4REB and 2AST. The battle of these four vets will undoubtedly decide how this Friday night clash plays out. Given that the Kings are strong favourites to prevail and rightfully so, all the pressure is on the Bullets to ‘fire’ away in Homebush. If James Duncan’s Men are to get something out of this game then he needs better contributions from the rest of his side. 0PTS from Jason Cadee and 3PTS from Nathan Sobey will never ever be enough to cut the mustard so to speak. Nor will 12/33 from beyond the arc! Improved shooting should at the least see Brisbane stay competitive in this H2H battle.
Betting tips: Back the Kings to get the dub at $1.35 (Bet365)
And look for the Kings to reach 40+ PTS in H1 at $1.21 and the same for Brisbane at $1.21 (Bet365)