There are six games slated for Round 13 of the NBL season and the action is underway in Adelaide on Thursday night when the 36ers host the league-leading Wildcats.
Adelaide 36ers vs Perth Wildcats
League leaders Perth travel to Adelaide in the opening game to Round 13 of the NBL on Thursday night.
The Wildcats were only in action once last week and managed to comfortable overcome the Cairns Taipans away from home, to the tune of 83-68. Interestingly, at this point last season the Wildcats were anchored to the bottom of the table, but built to the task in time to sneak into the finals and subsequently win the competition. They are competition favourites again this season for a reason and represent terrific value to win this game.
The 36ers also rounded out 2017 in style with a gritty 88-85 win over the New Zealand Breakers at home. Shannon Shorter was outstanding for the 36ers in a best on court performance, notching up 23 points and laying a platform for his team to steal the game.
This looms as a terrific game from a spectator’s perspective, but current $2.05 odds for the Wildcats appears too good to pass up.
Tip: Back the Wildcats to win at $2.05
Cairns Taipans vs Brisbane Bullets
Queensland-based franchises the Cairns Taipans and Brisbane Bullets reignite their rivalry in Round 13.
Both clubs were competitive in small bursts last weekend, but both suffered two disappointing defeats each and in the lead-up to the finals, those results simply are not good enough.
It has been a busy fortnight for the Taipans and that was telling in their most-recent game with the Perth Wildcats. Mitch McCarron was typically strong for his team, but overall Cairns lacked spark and looked tired in the final quarter.
Travis Trice was the standout for the Bullets in Round 12, particularly in his team’s game with the Hawks on New Year’s Eve. The import scored a round-high 32 points, including five three-pointers in the first half. He is undoubtedly the key to Brisbane’s success and he if produces a similar performance in Cairns, the Bullets can notch a vital win.
Tip: Back the Bullets to win at $2.45
Sydney Kings vs Perth Wildcats
Round 13 looms as a tough one for the Sydney Kings, who will host the Perth Wildcats on Saturday afternoon.
The Kings disappointing season continued in Round 12 and they are virtually no chance of making the playoffs this season. Jerome Randle is always the shining light for the Kings and the American provided some resistance during his team’s loss to Melbourne with 26 points and 5 assists. The Kings actually led Melbourne by 5 points in the third quarter, but typically folded when pressure was applied. Their defence is particularly weak this season and realistically, they stand little chance of holding out Perth.
This is the second game for Perth in Round 13 and will Thursday night’s performance will have some bearing, they should escape this game with a comfortable win.
Tip: Back Perth to cover the spread (-2.5) at $1.90
Illawarra Hawks vs Melbourne United
Illawarra and Melbourne United are both in action for the first time in Round 13 on Saturday night.
The Hawks secured two vital wins leading into the New Year in Round 12 and they really do look like a team that can go on with the job from here. They toughed it out to beat Cairns in a great game, before absolutely destroying the Bullets at home on New Year’s Eve. Their attack has really come to a head through recent weeks and they will be a real handful for Melbourne.
Melbourne were similarly impressive in Round 12 and are shooting for a sixth-consecutive win here. Clearly one of the league’s more potent attacks, Melbourne have also been terrific in defence lately and that has undoubtedly been the key to their terrific run of form. Craig Moller was great for Melbourne in both of their Round 12 fixtures, particularly against the Bullets on Boxing Day in which he successfully marked Perrin Buford out of the game.
This looms as the game of Round 13 and realistically, the result could fall the way of either team. Illawarra deserve favouritism in front of their home crowd.
Tip: Back Illawarra to win at $1.80
New Zealand Breakers vs Cairns Taipans
The Breakers are only in action once this week and will host the Taipans on Sunday afternoon.
New Zealand were unable to overcome the 36ers in a tight contest in Adelaide last week, but there is generally always something to like about the way they play and they were far from disgraced.
Cairns typically travel well to New Zealand and they continually trouble the Breakers both home and away. There is chance that they will carry winning form into this game as they meet Brisbane earlier in the Round and should that occur, there will be more of a strengthened case to be made for them winning again.
There simply is not enough value to justify back New Zealand in head-to-head betting at current.
Tip: No Bet
Brisbane Bullets vs Adelaide 36ers
The final game in Round 13 will peg the Bullets and 36ers against each other in Brisbane on Sunday afternoon.
Both teams are in action earlier in the Round and while it is tough to make a case for Brisbane against an opponent of the quality of Adelaide, their claims are strengthened with this being played at home.
Adelaide are probably over the odds at their current quote and if you are inclined to take advantage of early value, there is some to be had here.
Tip: Back Adelaide to win at $2.05