 |
Perth Wildcats vs South East Melbourne PhoenixTuesday February 11, 9:30pm |
 |
No RAC Arena has plagued the headlines in the lead-up to Perth’s all crucial seeding qualifier against South East Melbourne, with the fierce rivalry instead being hosted at Perth HPC. The venue holds less than half of what RAC Arena does, however thousands of screaming and delirious Wildcats supporters packed into a smaller venue will undoubtedly still create a tense and palpable atmosphere against their Victorian visitors. It means many members will miss out on tickets and the club will take a financial hit. However having the fans pack into a much tighter venue means that an already difficult task for Josh King’s troops just got a hell of a lot harder!
Perth come into this loaded with confidence after their most recent 112-104 dub over Adelaide at RAC Arena. They decisively won Q4 31-26, as Bryce Cotton exploded for 49PTS overall. The dual-MVP did this on 50% shooting from the floor + 3REB + 7AST + 1STL. Keanu Pinder was also lethal with a double-double of 18PTS & 11REB, as well as 1AST, 1STL and 1BLK. Other solid contributors also included Dylan Windler with 15PTS, 12REB, 2STL and 1BLK. Whilst Kristian Doolittle had 14PTS and Tai Webster a nine-piece off the pine.
Whilst for the Phoenix they went down in a tightly contested Melbourne Derby 103-93 versus United. They won Q2 28-16, but ultimately it wasn’t enough for them to get the job done in their ‘away’ game. Ben Ayre was BIG with 15PTS off the bench on 50% shooting. Meanwhile also in the second-unit both of Angus Glover and Malique Lewis had 11 and 10PTS respectively. Ultimately however losing Q4 27-17 really hurt them as the game was level headed into the final period.
Player who’ll see red (aka the superstar who will help carry the team to victory) – Bryce Cotton.
Pick the former Memphis, Phoenix and Utah PG to help Perth reach 92+ points at $1.16 (Bet365)
The Wildcats have won nine of their last 12 games at home and despite playing away from RAC Arena in this one I suspect it won’t matter too much with a sea of red there to support them anyway. In addition the Wildcats have won 10 of their last 13 games against South East Melbourne because streaky teams like the Phoenix often don’t match up well against more resolute and compact sides like the Wildcats. It will be an incredibly close and thoroughly entertaining affair, but it will be Perth who advances through to face Melbourne United.
Betting tips: Back Perth to get home at $1.60 (Unibet, PlayUp)
Also back Q1 to be all theirs at $1.78 (BetRight)
 |
Sydney Kings vs Adelaide 36ersThursday February 13, 7:30pm |
 |
The Sydney Kings after winning back-to-back championships wilted under the pressure last season as the Breakers thrashed them in their first play-in qualifier. And now they are back to where they were last season, needing to win two straight elimination matchups, just for the right to face Illawarra in the first round of the playoffs. Whilst for Adelaide, despite them finishing a position below the Kings, 5th vs 6th, they have looked so much more promising as of late. They have collected victories from two of their last four games on the road and their two losses have come by an average of just seven points. Additionally they have also won their last two encounters in a row versus the hosts, as well as their last four from six against Brian Goorjian’s side. The 36ers are playing harder and better Basketball then that of their opposition currently, which leaves Sydney in all sorts of trouble headed into Thursday nights do-or-die clash!
Sydney completely capitulated in their latest game. Playing at the WIN Entertainment Center Jaylen Adams reached five fouls for the second time running, as they were handed a hefty twenty-point loss to their ‘freeway’ rivals. The killer was giving up thirty-points in Q1 and losing Q4 30-14. In what was a very small bout of positiveness for the club, Kouat Noi led the way with 14PTS, 5REB and 1BLK coming off the bench. That while Makuach Maluach had a 12-piece meal, in addition to 3REB, 2STL and 2BLK, also off the pine. This represents their third straight loss in a row as they have heaps of work to do before they face off against Adelaide.
For the 36ers last round they suffered a tight eight-point loss to the Wildcats over in Western Australia. They opened the game in fine fashion as they won Q1 27-20. And it bodes even more positively for the side that they have overcome 43 and 41-point performances from Jaylen Adams over the course of their last two games against the opposition. Whilst linking back to their game against the Wildcats, Kendric Davis was a Man on a mission with 34PTS on 11/23 shooting. He also registered 8REB and 3AST to his name. Meanwhile Montrezl Harrell was HUGE with 24PTS, 6REB and 1AST. And DJ Vasiljevic had 16PTS and Lat Mayen 13PTS.
Player who’ll see red (aka the superstar who will help carry the team to victory) – Xavier Cooks.
Back the former NBL MVP and GF MVP to help Sydney reach 87+ points at $1.16 (Bet365)
Even though Sydney have lost to Adelaide twice at home this season, expect them to leave with the W and face off against the loser of Perth against South East Melbourne. Despite losing to Adelaide, the defeats have come by just nine and 15 points. In the result of the double-digit one, Sydney won the last three quarters collectively 84-79. They were only undone by an unruly 12-32 Q1 effort. The Kings this season have often displayed flashes of their brilliance and bits and pieces of their potential together as a team. Brian Goorjian knows what it takes to win and I strongly believe he will lead them down the right path right here.
Betting tips: Pick Sydney to edge out the 36ers at $1.85 (PlayUp)
Also pick them to start out on a positive note and win Q1 at $1.90 (BetRight)