The following are previews with betting tips for selected fixtures in Round 2 of the 2024/25 NBL season.
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South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Melbourne UnitedThursday September 26, 7:30pm |
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What better way to open Round 2 then the Melbourne Derby! On the one hand you have a South East Melbourne team with serious title aspirations for this season up against the runner-ups from last season and a team that has also won 11 of their last 16 regular season games. Combined with the fact that six of the last eight times the ‘green side’ of Melbourne has hosted has been decided by nine points or less, this fiery and flairy matchup is a simply can’t miss.
In spite of their eight-point defeat to the Perth Wildcats last round away from home, their was plenty to like from Mike Kelly’s troops in their opening match. They won two quarters against Bryce Cotton & Co, including the fourth 33-26. Whilst they had six players register double-digit points including all five of their starters. Jordan Hunter was a revelation with 19PTS, closely followed by Matt Hurt with 16PTS, Derrick Walton Jr. 13PTS & Nathan Sobey 13PTS, Joe Wisekamp – 12PTS and Owen Foxwell had 10PTS off the bench on an impressive 4/4 shooting from the floor + 2REB + 1BLK in just 6:21 minutes of playing time. Hunter was also very strong as he shot 8/11 and also got 7REB and 1AST. Whilst Hurt converted 53.8% of his attempts and pulled in 12REB, alongside 2AST and 1STL.
For Melbourne they were incredibly dominant in their nine-point win over Tasmania at the RAC Arena. They prevailed in the opening quarter and also pretty much won the game in Q3, a period in which they won 27-16. Matthew Dellavedova showed he’s got a lot of life left in him with 21PTS, 3REB and 6AST, as he hit a pair of three-pointers. Whilst both Jack White and Shea Ili also flexed their muscle. White showed he could still very much have a future in the NBA with 14PTS, 7REB and 2AST, as he shot 60% from the floor. And Ili was his usual reliable self, as he did a bit of everything with 14PTS, 3REB, 5AST, 1STL and 1BLK.
When these two arch-rivals last took to the court against one another it was one hell of a game! After two overtimes played it was Melbourne who eventually came out on top courtesy of a truly exhilarating 121-120 victory. Angus Glover had 24PTS off the bench for the Phoenix, as well as having gone 7/8 from the FT line. Whilst for United Shea Ili had 26PTS, including 11 made FTs, alongside his 2STL.
There are plenty of players from both franchises that will give everything they have and then some in the Derby, however these two just have no quit. These two Guards on their day are extremely capable of shooting lights out, however they are just as likely to dislocate a shoulder diving for a loose ball as they are to hit a shot from deep. Watch out as the passion might ‘spill over’ between these two, as one of them emerges victorious at the end of it all.
Betting tips: Back the Phoenix to cause an upset win at $3.00 (Betr)
However back United to win the opening quarter at $1.66 (Bet Right)
And back there to be 45+ points collectively scored in the opening quarter at $1.81 (Unibet)
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Illawarra Hawks vs Brisbane BulletsFriday September 27, 7:30pm |
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The Bullets last round ‘fired’ home strong as they were just edged out 91-87 at the HBF Arena by the Breakers. As despite the narrow margin of defeat Brisbane went ballistic in the fourth quarter, winning 35-19. Meanwhile the Hawks ‘tore to shreds’ the Taipans at the exact same arena by a 105-72 scoreline!
Brisbane have set themselves a playoffs goal for this new campaign after their extended absence from the post-season. And as for Illawarra they simply must continue to build on the foundation that they have formed over the last couple of seasons. There is plenty to like from both teams including the impending Guard battle of Keandre Cook, 25PTS last round, five threes hit and a reigning European champion and cup winner. Who faces up against the might of Tyler Harvey, 14PTS last time out on a very effective 53.8% shooting from the floor and a seasoned veteran who just last year against Brisbane conjured up 23PTS/3REB/4AST. There will undoubtedly be flashes of brilliance here in what should be an extremely exciting and entertaining affair.
Despite Brisbane travelling to the ‘Snake Pit’ for this matchup, they do so with plenty of positives to draw out of their tight four-point loss to New Zealand. They won by 16 points in the fourth quarter, virtually erasing all of the Breakers efforts over the previous three periods. And alongside Cook’s massive outburst of points, he also got 4REB, 2AST, 2STL and 1BLK. Tohi Smith-Milner who also started put in a strong performance as he shot 3/6 from the floor for 10PTS, 1REB and 1AST. Whilst Tyrell Harrison conjured up 9PTS, 5REB, 2STL and 1BLK. Whilst coming off the pine Casey Prather was solid, as in just 18:44 minutes of playing time he hit 4/4 FTs for 11PTS + 1REB + 1AST + 1STL.
For the Hawks and their twenty-seven point win over the hapless Taipans, they did absolutely everything right! They won every single quarter of play including their 30-15 Q4 finale! They also made light work of their FTs as they shot 20/22 on the night for a strong 91% shooting accuracy. Illawarra’s bench was just as impressive as their starters as both Hyunjung Lee and Lachlan Olbrich had 12PTS a piece. Olbrich also contributed further with 11REB and 3AST. Whilst leading the team was Darius Days, as the new import and former Houston Rocket put up 20PTS on 8/15 shooting, 12REB and 2STL. Sam Froling was also just one-behind with 19PTS, 8REB and 1BLK, shooting 61.5% from the field.
Tyler Harvey is still such a crucial part to the piece of the Hawks puzzle. He’s been at the club throughout their brighter days, as well as their dark ones. And if the opening game, as well as the just past NBL Blitz is anything to go off then he has thoroughly adapted his game to make up for the speed he has lost as he’s gotten older. He is now a more effective shooter and instead of heaving up some Steph Curry-esque shots, he picks his spots better and it pays massive dividends. For example last season alone his two-point shooting jumped up to 47% from 40.6% the previous season. And his FTs also went from 80% to 86.4%, which are two prime examples of Harvey evolving his game.
How he fares against Keandre Cook will go a long way to deciding the outcome of this encounter. Cook only featured in six games last season for Brisbane and is undoubtedly aiming for a much better output this campaign. The going was tough for him however as he displayed against the Breakers last round, he’s ready to lead the Bullets to the promised land. He, just like Harvey, is capable of hitting shots anywhere from the floor and will be relied upon to do some heavy lifting in this affair.
Betting tips: Pick a Hawks victory at $1.37 (Unibet)
Also pick Illawarra to be victorious in the fourth quarter at $1.70 (Unibet)
And back there to be 43 or more collective points scored during that period at $1.80 (Unibet)