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Perth Wildcats vs Melbourne UnitedSaturday March 01, 8:00pm |
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It was Melbourne who stood up when it mattered the most in Game One against Perth as they battered them 105-93 at John Cain Arena, in what was their 16th dub from their last 19 appearances against the bewildered visitors. Chris Goulding led the charge with a HUGE 41PTS on 10/17 shooting from deep + 2REB + 1AST. Whilst Ian Clark chipped in heavily with 22PTS, 3REB and 3AST off the bench. Jack White also locked in an impressive double-double with 13PTS & 10REB, in addition to 1AST and 1STL. The Wildcats simply must ‘rebound’ at home. They have won their last three straight matches in Western Australia, 122-105 vs Phoenix, 112-104 vs 36ers and 100-99 vs Phoenix. Will they live to see another day or will their promising campaign end in consecutive defeats to United?
If Perth want to even this series up then they simply have to find alternative ways to thwart electric Guards Chris Goulding and Ian Clark. Goulding’s 41PTS was right up there with the BEST performances we’ve seen this season, as he hit some ridiculous threes in Q4 to help Melbourne pull away from the Wildcats once and for all. Even with near-perfect defence on him he still found a way to get hot. Meanwhile for Clark it should also come as no surprise given the 33-year-old is both an NBA and NBL champion. Whilst in the 2018 playoffs for New Orleans he put up 7.8PPG and this season he’s averaging a brilliant 13PPG, including a superb percentage of 91.7% from the FT line. Both Goulding and Clark are well-seasoned veterans of the game to say the least and are capable of creating offensive havoc out of nothing. The potential impact of Bryce Cotton here will mean nothing if his teammates can’t limit the opportunities of these two!
Betting tips: Look for Perth to keep the series alive with a win at $1.60 (BetRight, PlayUp)
However you can look for Melbourne to win Q1 at $2.18 (TopSport)
And back Bryce Cotton to score 20+ PTS and Chris Goulding also 20+ PTS at $1.18 and $1.20 (Bet365)
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South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Illawarra HawksSunday February 02, 2:30pm |
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In Game One at the infamously nicknamed ‘Snake Pit’ it was the Hawks who ‘soared’ highest in their extremely entertaining 101-94 dub against the Phoenix. Tyler Harvey and Trey Kell III were absolute menaces on both ends of the floor, as the American backcourt duo conjured up 24PTS each on 4/9 and 3/7 threes respectively. Harvey also conjured up 4REB, 3AST, 2STL and 1BLK. Whilst Kell III locked down 10REB and 5AST. And coming off the pine veteran NBL Cup winner Todd Blanchfield poured in 16PTS. South East Melbourne however made an absolute match of it and will fight with all guns blazing on Sunday afternoon. Can they keep their season alive with their backs against the wall or will Illawarra prevail in this series at 2 and 0?
The Phoenix have won 11 of their last 12 games at home. That sea of Green is just as important as the actual South East Melbourne players themselves in terms of garnering them a series equalling victory. The noise, the intensity and the passion they should bring will undoubtedly be second to none. However they also have to stop Tyler Harvey from getting in his groove. The one constant for Illawarra over the last few seasons, whether they have been tremendously good or tremendously bad, has been the unquestionable skills, talent and desire of Harvey. His PPG last season have gone up from 15.1 to 18.1, whilst he’s shooting 45.6% from the floor compared to 40%. All of his REB, AST, STL and BLK are also up amazingly. The effort he’s put into his game has been nothing short of sensational. And in addition to that he also loves a red-hot game against the Phoenix. Prior to his 24PTS when he last versed them he put up 20PTS & 3AST. Prior to that it was 19PTS & 5AST. Before that it was 22PTS & 3AST. He is ruthless against them!
Betting tips: Pick the Hawks to end the series right here with a hard-earned dub at $1.88 (TopSport)
Also pick them to win Q1 at $1.88 (BetRight, TopSport)
And look for Matt Hurt to have 5+ REB and for Sam Froling to also get 5+ REB at $1.23 and $1.27 (Bet365)