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Cairns Taipans vs South East Melbourne PhoenixTuesday January 14, 7:30pm |
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For Cairns they were incredibly unlucky as they went down by just four-points to Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena last Sunday afternoon. Leading the way for the visitors was Rob Edwards with 25PTS, including 60% shooting from inside the arc and Taran Armstrong with 22PTS, as he went 8/9 from the FT line. Prior to that the Taipans went down to the ‘Gong’ and toppled the Hawks 108-105! In what was arguably one of the upsets of the season. Of particular impressiveness was their 40-21 Q3 effort, as ex-Oklahoma SG Edwards and 22-year-old G Edwards were again the main perpetrators with 28PTS and 25PTS respectively. The Taipans have also had to contend with the sudden departure of squad member Jackson Makoi after he was arrested hours before the Sydney game after being charged with domestic violence offences. Despite everything that’s going on at the moment the Taipans have showed enough that they could very well dish out their venom this game.
The Phoenix are currently locked into a finals spot at 12-10. They’ve also won seven of their last nine games, including a last start thrashing of the Bullets at home by 19-points. A dominant affair which saw Matt Hurt collect 32PTS, 12REB, 2AST and 2BLK. Whilst Nathan Sobey locked down 31PTS, 5REB, 7AST and 2STL. And to cap it all of they’ve also fashioned 99+ points in their last nine straight games. They are absolutely on fire and the Taipans should be worried.
This game could really be anybody’s for the taking, as despite Cairns playing only for pride, they are fighting hard for their famous orange jersey currently, whilst Finals Basketball is at stake for the Phoenix. And with seven of these two sides last 10 games having been decided by just nine points or less, one thing that’s for sure is we are in in for an absolute belter of a matchup for your Tuesday evening!
Betting tips: Look for the Taipans to cause an upset dub at $3.20 (PlayUp)
Also look for Q1 to belong to the Taipans at $2.40 (BetRight)
And back the total points scored in Q1 to be over 48.50 at $1.81 (Unibet)
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Brisbane Bullets vs Perth WildcatsWednesday January 15, 7:30pm |
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With the Bullets currently three games out of the sixth and final playoffs spot it is absolutely crucial that they beat the Wildcats on Wednesday evening. And it’s certainly a distinct possibility given that the last time these two rivals faced off at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre a famous 51-point performance from James Batemon fired the Bullets away to a dub. However their actual last game against one another saw a classy Perth victory in the form of a 117-89 scoreline. Despite Casey Prather scoring 31PTS against his old employers and a side whom he won 3X NBL Championships with, it just wasn’t quite enough to get the job done on that occasion. Perth themselves have won three in a row and have proven to be very difficult to stop as of late. So they’ll rightfully start this game as the favourites.
Ex-Hawk, Laker, Knick and Cavalier Dylan Windler has been on a tear lately over the course of the Wildcats three straight victories. Most recently in his sides 28-point smashing of the ‘Jackies’ in Tasmania he put up a stat-line of 15PTS, 11REB, 2AST and 4BLK. Before that during his sides 10-point win at Spark Arena over the Breakers he conjured up 9PTS on 3/4 shooting from two-point range + 7REB + 4AST + 2STL + 2BLK. And finally against the 36ers in Adelaide, an affair which his side won by 24-points, he secured 24PTS, 8REB, 6AST and 4BLK. The forceful SG/SF has well and truly emerged recently as Perth’s go-to-Guy behind Bryce Cotton. As he’s played hard and has rightfully earned his spot in the starting lineup. At the time of writing Brisbane’s defence is ranked right smack in the middle of the league and can be pretty ordinary at the best of times. If they don’t close the holes in their defence and make the right plays he has the capacity to run amok here.
I’m sorry Brisbane fans but I think your finals hopes will be all but dashed right here. The Bullets can’t match what the Wildcats can throw at them and given Perth are in strong contention for a Top Two spot at the moment I just can’t see the upset dub occurring!
Betting tips: Back a Perth victory at $1.25 (Betfair)
Also back them to win Q1 at $1.56 (BetRight)
And look for the total points scored in Q1 to also be under 49.50 at $1.95 (Unibet)