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Illawarra Hawks vs Sydney KingsFriday February 07, 7:30pm |
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For the Hawks a win would all but guarantee them 1st place on the NBL ladder. However it won’t come easy versus their ‘Freeway’ rivals the Kings, as Sydney are currently contending to host a play-in game. The visitors have dropped off lately, whilst the hosts have been nothing but net and in front of a sold out arena Illawarra will be ready to ‘swoop’ in and ‘peck’ their rivals to their death. With the Hawks already 3 and 0 up on the Kings this campaign they’ll be looking to make it a clean sweep. And given how the opposition performed last round against Perth at Qudos Bank Arena, that seems almost like a certainty now. Sydney went down 104-97 and dropped the ball in Q1 alone, losing 32-21. Meanwhile ex-MVP Point Guard Jaylen Adams played perhaps the most horrific game of his career. As the Maryland-born 28-year-old scored just one-point on 0/3 shooting, as he also fouled out. I think the biggest question here is how much will Illawarra win by?
Three things you need to know;
-Despite their 0 and 3 record against Illawarra this season, Sydney have actually won 9 of their last 11 away matches versus their arch-rivals.
-Italian, Polish and Canadian champion Trey Kell has scored 26, 19 and 20PTS over the course of his last three games against Sydney, along with 8, 5 and 3AST.
-The Hawks have won their last four home games in a row. The latest of which was a thirty-four point thrashing of the Bullets.
Betting tips: Back a Hawks win all the way home, for them to win Q1 and for the Kings to win Q4 with odds available from odds.aussportsbetting.com
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Tasmania JackJumpers vs Cairns TaipansSaturday February 08, 5:30pm |
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From reigning Grand Final winners to a team ravaged by injury fighting tooth and nail for a finals spot, that is the story of the JackJumpers season and on Saturday as they prepare to host the Taipans they have one final chance to continue their unlikely shot at a second consecutive Championship. However Cairns will certainly not make it easy for them. As we’ve seen in recent weeks they’ve taken down the likes of the Wildcats and the Hawks twice as they continue to cause havoc for those above them on the ladder. Do Scott Roth’s Men have what it takes, or is this where their season officially comes to a gutting close?
Three things you need to know;
-Prior to losing three of their last four home games, the ‘Jackies’ had been on a five-game winning streak at MyState Bank Arena. However interestingly enough three of those five dubs had come by nine-points or less.
-Milton Doyle has posted 21 and 31PTS over the course of his last two games against Cairns. Those performances statistically ranking as some of his best point-scoring games this campaign. That’s alongside his 7AST and 3AST. It’s also no coincidence that Tasmania have won these two affairs 99-90 and 103-86 respectively.
-The Taipans have won three of their last five away games and have scored 92, 125, 111, 87 and 108PTS in the process as their attack has been nothing short of sensational. And even though they went down 99-92 to the Breakers most recently at Spark Arena, both of Pedro Bradshaw and Sam Waardenburg had a 16-piece meal each.
Betting tips: Back a ‘Jackies’ victory, a Q4 victory too and for Cairns to win the opening quarter with odds from odds.aussportsbetting.com
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Melbourne United vs South East Melbourne PhoenixSaturday February 08, 8:00pm |
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United have a chance to finish on top of the throne, whilst the Phoenix have a legitimate shot at 3rd place. Neither side will back down as both will want to take out this latest edition of the ‘Melbourne Throwdown’. Backing up the Phoenix’s case for hosting a play-in match is the fact that over the course of their latest two Derbies against United, they’ve won them both. Last time out they prevailed 109-97 as all of Matt Hurt 28PTS, Jordan Hunter 23PTS and Nathan Sobey 22PTS exploded past the twenty-point mark. Whilst before that it ended 93-84 the way of South East Melbourne as Hunter was a Man on a mission with 20PTS + 9REB + 1BLK to his name on 53.8% shooting from the floor. And with Melbourne having lost three of their last four games will the newest Melbourne franchise strike a dagger into their hearts for the win?
Three things you need to know;
-Despite beating the JackJumpers last time out 94-92 at home. Both of Matthew Dellavedova and Chris Goulding only secured 10PTS a piece. Whilst Marcus Lee had just a six-piece meal and Jack White a five-piece one!
-The Phoenix on the other hand have prevailed in nine of their last 12 games contested. Most recently they overcame a Q3 loss – 34 to 18 – versus Adelaide, to eventually come back and win 105-99 at John Cain Arena. Fuelled by 48 combined points and 10 combined assists to Nathan Sobey & Owen Foxwell.
-Prior to their two game losing streak against South East Melbourne, United had won the previous eight in a row against their arch-rivals.
Betting tips: Back a Phoenix victory all the way home at $1.99 (BoomBet)
However you can pick Melbourne United to reach 50PTS first in H1 at $1.85 (BoomBet)
And pick the total points scored to be over 195 at $1.87 (BoomBet)