The following is a preview with betting tips for one selected fixture in Round 9 of the 2022/23 NBL season.
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Adelaide 36ers vs Cairns TaipansFriday Dec 02, 7:30pm |
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The 36ers prepare to host the Taipans off the back of a huge 14-point win over the Wildcats. Heading out to WA they held no fear, beginning the clash with a monumental 26-17 Q1 scoreline, then they proceeded to back it up with 28PTS in Q2. Whilst all of Robert Franks, Antonius Cleveland and Anthony Drmic were fantastic with 21, 16 and 14PTS respectively. This marking their seventh triumph from their last 10 road clashes.
Meanwhile for the Taipans, they displaced the Kings off and out of 1st place in what was a tight, yet extremely well-deserved six-point dub at home. They finished the heated affair firing on all cylinders, winning Q4, 23-13. Then they proved to be just as dominant in the OT period, carving out a 16-10 scoreline. Keanu Pinder backed up his venomous pregame talk with a monumental 30PTS and 13REB, while DJ Hogg lit up the visitors for 20PTS, including three threes converted from deep. This match has been extremely well setup to produce one hell of a spectacle.
For Adelaide Robert Franks is the Man who cannot be ignored and one whom poses a massive threat to Adam Forde’s troopers. The ex-NBA G-League champion hit 9/15 shots versus Perth, including shooting 63.6% from inside the arc, torching the opposition close to the rim in the process. Plus he also locked down 8REB, 4AST, 1STL and 2BLK as well. He went hard at them all night long and will no doubt look to do so again on Friday night against his newest could be victims. As defensively rugged as the Taipans are, they need to be careful and look to contain him strongly. As we all just witnessed rival PF Xavier Cooks put on a show against them in Sydney’s last matchup, as he fashioned 25PTS overall, going 11/16 close to the basket.
As for Cairns, Forward Keanu Pinder will look to produce another five-star performance, as his battle against Robert Franks promises to set their sides encounter alight. Before he went to work against Sydney, he said via his Twitter account that the Kings ‘can’t’ shut him down and he was dead on being right. He shot 8/12 from inside the arc, wreaking absolute havoc on the reigning champions defence in the process. His ability to cut in close to the basket and bulldoze the opposition will make life incredibly difficult for the 36ers. And with Pinder primed to guard Franks and vice versa on the 2022 NBL MIP, their contest between one another should feature some rim shattering highlights, as well as some painful rejections too.
Both sides last season were in the NBL doldrums and now they’re both on the cusp of a Championship. The hosts have a 5-5 record, sitting just two wins off of an illusive playoffs berth. While the visitors have done wonders this season, crumpling all expectations and destroying the critics, with defensive plays, tactics and moves that have stumped even the best individuals this competition has to offer. And as a result they sit above the majority of teams in the league in 3rd place, with a 7-4 record. A large majority of that has been fashioned via them having won five of their last six away games. However the 36ers have won nine of their last 12 home clashes against them, mitigating Cairns rich form a bit in the process.
You can expect some real rough plays, some highlights worthy of featuring on ESPN’s global stage and a lot of intensity, passion and skill from both of these rivals. In the end we’re all winners, because we get to witness this should be bloody brilliant display of Australian Basketball!
Betting tips: Look for a close Adelaide victory at $1.54 (Bet365)
And also back them to take out Q1 at $1.68 (Bet365)
Meanwhile you can also witness Robert Franks score 21+PTS at $1.87 and Keanu Binder 19+PTS at $1.87 (Bet365)
Meanwhile each side will also fashion 81+PTS at $1.28 – Adelaide and $1.50 – Cairns, respectively (Bet365)