The following are previews with betting tips for selected fixtures in Round 6 of the 2022/23 NBL season.
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Cairns Taipans vs Melbourne UnitedFriday Nov 04, 7:30pm |
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Melbourne head to Cairns having won just six of their last 16 games, with Dean Vickerman’s Men suffering from a similarly shaky start to this season to that of how they ended the last campaign. Meanwhile the hosting Taipans have kept their head above water with a 4-3 record so far, impressively disposing of teams such as their opposition for this clash, the Kings and the JackJumpers along the way. And yet despite losing in Homebush last round versus Sydney, there was still a combined 45PTS produced via DJ Hogg and Keanu Pinder + 12REB for Cairns. The lethal front court duo will be looking to extend the pain for United in this exhilarating affair.
The Taipans led Sydney by 10PTS midway through Quarter Three last weekend. But in the end brilliant showings from two of their ex-employees in the form of Kouat Noi (hit the game winner) and Shaun Bruce (17PTS on 6/9 shooting) saw them go down 106-103. Whilst the ‘Aussie’ born Sam Waardernburg was sensational for Adam Forde & Co as he hit a pair of threes en route to 20PTS + 4REB, 3AST and 2STL. His points tally well above his average of 9.9PPG on the season. While for Melbourne they were dominant in a 94-77 thrashing of Perth at home. Xavier Rathan-Mayes came to play with 25PTS, 10REB, 3AST and 5STL to his name. Whilst Chris Goulding came up with 13PTS and Isaac Humphries, 10PTS. Meanwhile off the bench Rajon Tucker went 6/7 shooting from the floor for 16PTS, alongside 8REB, 3AST and 1STL.
The last time these two sides met one another, the Taipans snuck out with an 81-77 victory at the John Cain Arena and we should be able to expect a similarly entertaining, yet feistily close match in this clash well. Rathan-Mayes, the former Memphis Grizzlie, has been cooking for United this season, averaging a commanding 19.2PPG, 7.8RPG and 4.2APG. With Melbourne on a strong collision course with the Top Four after their rich vein of recent form, expect him to be crucial here regardless of whether Melbourne takes the dub or not.
Betting tips: Pick Melbourne to pick up a tight victory at $1.95 (BlueBet)
Also back them to win Q1 at $2.10 (TexBet) and Q4 at $1.90 (TexBet)
However working in Cairns’s favour you can back Keanu Pinder to score 18+ PTS at $1.87 (Bet365) and for Chris Goulding to conjure up under 15PTS at $1.85 (Bet365)
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New Zealand Breakers vs Sydney KingsSunday Nov 06, 2:00pm |
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Going head-to-head at Spark Arena on Sunday afternoon (Australian time), it’s the 1st placed New Zealand Breakers vs the reigning champions and 2nd placed Sydney Kings. And there’s absolutely no reason you either shouldn’t be at the match if you live in New Zealand or watching it live on the telly from home. This promises to be a humungous battle featuring a defensive juggernaut led by former influential Kings Forward Tom Vodanovich competing against a lights out shooting Kings team featuring Derrick Walton Jr. and Dejan Vasiljevic amongst other diamond shooters. You won’t want to miss it!
The Breakers ‘broke’ down a previously resurgent ‘Jackies’ side in their last encounter at home, triumphing commandingly in what was a 32-point margin of victory. Whilst the Kings had Kouat Noi to thank for their win, as he took advantage of being left open on the final play of the game to hit the match-winning three and on his birthday no less against the Taipans! Barry Brown Jr. was a force for NZ as usual with 24PTS off the bench, which included going 4/5 from deep, whilst Vodanovich also had 10PTS coming off the pine. Derek Pardon was also a force to be reckoned with as he had 15PTS, 14REB and 1BLK. And there was also Will McDowell-White with 13PTS and Jamal Brantley with 11PTS. While for Chase Buford’s troops there was points a plentiful via Xavier Cooks with 18PTS, Noi with 13, Walton Jr. with 12, Vasiljevic with 12, Jordan Hunter with 11 and Jaylin Galloway with 10. All in all the Kings had seven players score in double figures.
This match may well prove to be one of the games of the season. And you can sure as hell quote me on that! Whoever wins this match will rightfully be considered the ultimate NBL Championship favourites for this current campaign. The amount of star names in this clash is insane, but even putting that to the side, it should be extremely interesting to see how the Kings counter the Breakers tenacious defensive abilities. Both Pardon and Brantley have the potential to make the Kings fear shooting inside and Cooks may potentially be in for a tough night close to the paint as well. We’ll just have to wait and see how it all plays out (insert staring eyes emoji here).
Betting tips: When the betting odds become available for this match they will be updated right here.