The following are previews with betting tips for selected fixtures in Round 5 of the 2024/25 NBL season.
Compare bookmaker NBL odds
View the NBL form guide
 |
Brisbane Bullets vs New Zealand BreakersThursday October 17, 7:30pm |
 |
Brisbane fresh off their first victory of the season face off against an undefeated New Zealand side fresh off their American exploits in a clash that is sure to entertain. Because for the Bullets their underdog side headed to John Cain Arena and overcame the Phoenix 87-85 in what was a huge whirlwind matchup. And who else but Tyrell Harrison for the visitors! As the Brisbane-local shot a BIG 50% from the floor for 21PTS + 17REB + 2STL. And whilst the Breakers may have gone down 117-89 in the final game of their USA tour at the BOK Center in Oklahoma against the Thunder, there were still lots of positives to draw out from their play. New Zealand won Q1 and went down in Q2 by just two-points. That while Matt Mooney registered 19PTS & 7REB, Pierre Jackson-Cartwright – 16PTS & 8AST and Mojave King – 16PTS & 5REB. Combined with New Zealand undoubtedly wanting to keep their 2 and 0 record for the current campaign intact, both sides look to be in fine form for this Thursday night thriller.
Did you know – The Breakers have won six of their last seven clashes against the Bullets, however two of those wins have come by just five points and one was by four points. Brisbane have also won only four of their last 13 home matches against the Breakers too.
From American, to New Zealand, through to Queensland timezones. It’s been a far from easy time adjusting to recent climates for the Breakers and despite their recent break in play, you have to wonder how much of an impact it’ll have on them. Especially so when you consider how much of Brisbane’s gameplay happens close to the rim. Tyrell Harrison went 10/20 inside the arc last round and he is one of Brisbane’s leading scorers. Casey Prather also scored 15PTS, with five of his six converted shots coming from the two-point line. And it’s not just that, Brisbane have generally struggled to convert the three-ball at any sort of decent accuracy all season long. Against the Phoenix they converted just 9/28 (32%). And before that against the Kings at home they went 3/13 (13%). So if you struggle to shoot it from beyond the arc, naturally it makes sense that you’ll gravitate closer to the rim than most other teams. And if the Bullets are constantly bullying the Breakers inside the fatigue might start to set in earlier than expected and silly fouls may occur. New Zealand need to be mentally and physically strong in this one to get the dub, because if not this game has the Bullets, Bullets and more Bullets written all over it.
Betting tips: Pick Brisbane to win at $1.75 (Unibet)
Also look for them to prevail in Q1 at $1.87 (Bet Right)
And look for them to win Q4 too at $1.87 (Unibet)
 |
Tasmania JackJumpers vs Sydney KingsFriday October 18, 7:30pm |
 |
The JackJumpers currently reside in 8th place with a 2-3 record for the season an unexpected position thus far and certainly not one that Scott Roth and his band of defending champions would’ve expected to have found themselves in. However their hefty injury toll certainly hasn’t helped and their record is far from reflective of both the effort and the heart they’re putting in game in, game out. During their latest matchup, a 109-76 shellacking at the hands or the ‘wings’ of the Hawks in Wollongong, there was more to ‘Tassie’s’ efforts then what met the eye. Q2 saw them go down by only three points and in the fourth it was just one. Jordon Crawford also did his best as he shot 7/12 + 4/7 from deep for 19PTS all up, in addition to 4REB, 5AST and 2STL. Whilst Will Magnay also chipped in with 11PTS, 4REB and 4AST and Majok Deng had a 10-piece meal off the bench. They play the Kings who thumped the Taipans by 26PTS last round thanks to an equal career-high 21PTS from Shaun Bruce, as the 2X NBL championship winner and veteran went 6/6 from beyond the arc! In spite of the injuries Tasmania currently face, as well as the dubious availability of Jaylen Adams for Sydney, these two teams colourful history against one another means that there will be no love lost when they go face-to-face in what is sure to be both a spiteful and highlights filled meeting.
Did you know – Sydney have proven triumphant in four of their last six visits to Tasmania and it is a venue they traditionally play very well at. However it’s also only been roughly since two years since the ‘Jackies’ hosted a demolition job against the Kings, a result which ended 73-53 in their favour! And one which saw them win Q4 25-7!
Saturday afternoon versus Illawarra Milton Doyle ended the affair with 4PTS, 5REB, 1AST and 1STL in 30:44-minutes of playing time on just 2/7 shooting. Whilst he also had 7TOV and 1PF. For somebody of his status on the team this was a simply horrible performance from the ex-NBAer. His experience and his skillset are desperately needed within the JackJumpers set up right now as the club tries to navigate through a rocky period. This campaign he is also averaging just 2.6APG whereas in the last one he was at 4.8APG. However last year against the Kings he put in several strong performances including statlines of 17PTS, 2REB, 2AST and 21PTS, 1REB and 3AST. So if he can turn a corner with his play there will be countless benefits that will come as a result of that improvement. If Tasmania are to get something from this game then he will be a key piece to the puzzle, however if not then the star power of Sydney should ultimately run rampant.
Betting tips: Back a solid Kings victory at $1.62 (Unibet)
You can also look for the total combined points in the game to be under 176.50 at $1.87 (Unibet)
And look for Q4 to belong to Sydney at $1.83 (Unibet)