The following are previews with betting tips for selected fixtures in Round 14 of the 2022/23 NBL season.
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New Zealand Breakers vs Perth WildcatsWednesday Jan 04, 5:30pm |
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New Zealand need a win here in order to keep pace with the 1st-placed Kings, meanwhile Perth need a victory to stay in contention for a finals spot. But the fact that they are only three wins (10 vs 13) off Sydney is a testament to their recent surge under the guidance of head coach and former NBL playing champion John Rillie and the explosiveness and talent of Bryce ‘unguardable’ Cotton. The Breakers have been valiant in their last pair of home matches, however it hasn’t been enough as they’ve gone down by an average of 7.5PTS a game. That despite Barry Brown Jr averaging 21PPG over that span. For the Wildcats on the other hand, they’ve been ‘pouncing’ on anything and everything! As they’ve triumphed in five of their last seven games on the road. And with ex-Breaker, now Perth player Tai Webster, the brother of fellow Wildcats superstar Corey Webster poised to make his debut for the club in New Zealand, there are just countless reasons to tune into this spicy affair.
The Breakers were fierce in their latest efforts, but ultimately were also not enough, as they went down 93-82 against Tasmania in ‘Tassie’. And really it was only Q1 that cost them, as they lost that period 27-17, as in addition, two of the other three quarters ended in ties. Isiah Le’Afa led New Zealand with 21PTS, whilst he was commandingly backed up by Barry Brown Jr and Jamal Brantley who fashioned 16PTS a piece. Tom Abercrombie also had an 11-piece meal and Derek Pardon a 10-piece one. Meanwhile Cam Gliddon scored 8PTS off the bench. Le’Afa shot 6/12 from the floor + he secured 4REB, 5AST and 2STL. And Brown Jr also did a bit of damage too with 4REB, 4AST and 1STL. And Abercrombie stole the ball off the opposition twice.
As for the Wildcats in Wollongong they were all over the Hawks, beating them 107-97. Q4 was a particularly critical period of the match for them as they won that period 32-25. Corey Webster hit a huge 25PTS, while Bryce Cotton was only one behind him with 24PTS. Brady Manek fashioned 23PTS, TeShawn Thomas fashioned 18PTS and Luke Travers got a 10-piece meal. Webster also shot a very impressive 5/6 from deep + his 5REB and 3AST. Whilst Cotton hit a pair from deep, alongside his 3REB + 6AST. And Manek did a bit of everything! With 10REB, 5AST, 1STL and 1BLK.
New Zealand have unfortunately lost their last three matches on the trot. Meanwhile Perth have won seven of their last 10 overall. And on all seven of those occasions they’ve procured 90+PTS. The Breakers meanwhile are only averaging 84.66PTS over their last three games. Barry Brown Jr is the hosts answer to Bryce Cotton. But who will equal up to the Webster Bros? Or who will come up with the same offensive influence as young Australian gun Luke Travers? It’s easy to see how New Zealand will make life difficult for Perth inside, but outside Perth will have them beat all over the court. Against the Hawks they shot 12/18 from three-point range, good for a very respectable 43% shooting accuracy. Corey Webster went 5/6 from deep, while Bryce Cotton still hit two. Luke Travers was 2/4, while Brady Manek’s constantly improving stroke from deep was 3/9. The Breakers simply can’t and won’t match this sort of an output and this is a major area where the Wildcats should win this exciting clash.
Betting tips: Look for a Perth win at $2.60 (TexBet)
And also back them to start off hot by winning Q1 at $2.35 (TexBet)
And back each side to produce 72+PTS a piece at $1.25 – New Zealand and at $1.10 – Perth (Bet365)
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Sydney Kings vs South East Melbourne PhoenixWednesday Jan 04, 7:30pm |
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When these two teams last met at John Cain Arena, the Phoenix walked away with a double OT 113-112 triumph. Mitch Creek was phenomenal with 46PTS to his name, whilst Derrick Walton Jr was just one behind him, as he produced a massive 45PTS. Both sides gave it absolutely everything they had and it was 1000% the game of the season! Now playing at Olympic Park, a victory for the Kings would help them seperate themselves from the rest of the closely trailing pack, whilst a victory for the Phoenix would help them boost their pursuits of a top two spot massively. To Sydney’s credit, they’ve won five out of their last six games played at Qudos Bank Arena. As for South East Melbourne, they’ve been a bit dejected as of late, having lost six of their last seven matches on the road. The latest of which was a 25-point defeat in Tasmania to the JackJumpers. If we get even one fifth of what happened when these two teams last went at it, then we are in for a truly special encounter.
Playing at their home of Qudos Bank Arena the Kings were monumentally good as they smashed the JackJumpers to the tune of a 97-77 score-line! Q2 was pivotal for them as they outscored the opposition by 11PTS (29-18) to head into half-time with a comfortable lead. Xavier Cooks led the way with 23PTS, while Dejan Vasiljevic secured 13PTS. Justin Simon also scored 12PTS, while Derrick Walton Jr had 11PTS. And coming off the bench and with just under 16-minutes of playing time, Kouat Noi shot a perfect 4/4 from the floor for 10PTS, as well as 2REB and 1AST. Meanwhile Cooks shot 10/12 + 7REB, 4AST and 1BLK. Whilst Vasiljevic shot 4/7, alongside his 7REB.
As for South East Melbourne it was not happy times for them at all at MyState Bank Arena as they were pummelled 99-74 by the JackJumpers. Q1 was rather costly as it meant they faced a huge points deficit for the rest of the clash, as they lost that time span 32-18. However in a few positives for the club Alan Williams was big with 21PTS, 11REB and 1BLK. Whilst Mitch Creek was also fairly influential as he fashioned 18PTS, 8REB, 4AST and 1BLK. Meanwhile Junior Madut was also impressive in the time he spent out on the court (29:04 minutes of playing time), shooting 3/5 for 8PTS, alongside 4REB, 2AST and 1BLK.
This match presents itself as one of the Kings most difficult challenges at home this season, however I’ll pick them to claim the tight dub. It’ll be far from easy and as we’ve already played witness to this season Mitch Creek knows how to break through a notoriously stingy Kings defence. Whilst the size and rebounding-ability of Alan Williams will definitely be enough to cover up Sydney’s big Centre in the form of Tim Soares and he’ll no doubt give Xavier Cooks a run for his money too. However during these two sides latest meeting, Xavier Cooks was absent for part of the match and that was one of the major points of difference between the two teams, As he usually is, the 16.8PPG, 3.8APG and 8.2RPG Power Forward should prove to be the major separating factor between the two rivals in this potentially heated affair.
Betting tips: Look for Sydney to win at $1.95 (Bet365)
Also look for Sydney to produce 86+PTS at $1.33 (Bet365)
And also look for both teams to each score 18+PTS in Q1 at $1.33 (Bet365)