The wait is over and the NBL is back in session for season 2019/20 from Thursday night.
This is undoubtedly the most highly anticipated season since the NBL rebranded and arguably, since the turn of the century. A new franchise will begin their competitive existence, while the signing of some genuine young stars, including Melo Ball and R.J. Hampton has garnered plenty of hype.
We’ll preview every game during the 2019/20 NBL season, providing out best bet for each. Our 2019 NBL Round 1 tips can be found below.
Thursday, October 3rd
The league’s newest franchise are in action first-up, but they face a baptism of fire against their crosstown rivals and early NBL Championship favourites Melbourne United.
Head Coach Simon Mitchell has gathered a quality mix of local and international players for the Phoenix’s first NBL season, including names league stalwarts Tai Wesley and Adam Gibson. Mitch Creek will return from a short stint in the United States, while journeyman Keith Benson will play his first season in Australia’s top league.
United have been one to Australian basketball’s headliners for several seasons now and while they were unable to defend their 2017/18 title, they reached the Grand Final series once again. They boast arguably the league’s best all-round team, and loom as an extremely difficult prospect for all other teams at home and on the road.
The line for this match has been set at 5.5 points and I think that United should cover that with relative ease.
Friday, October 4th
An interesting fixture takes us to North Queensland on Friday night, when the Cairns Taipans and Sydney Kings open the respective accounts.
The signing of Andrew Bogut was always going to be a positive move for the Kings, and the former NBA star repaid the faith by producing a season MVP performance and playing a key role in Sydney finding themselves in the finals.
Typically, the Kings have taken a few games and a couple of weeks to really kick into gear these last few seasons and despite a far-improved overall effort in 2018/19, I think that it could be the case again this time around.
The Taipans meanwhile have been playing well through their pre-season program. It is obviously tough to line up the form of practice games with the real thing, but I think that they are over the odds at around $3.20 and can record a win at the Snake Pit first-up.
Saturday, October 5th
There are only four games on the Round 1 slate and there’s little doubt that the contest of the week will materialise in the nation’s west on Saturday, when we’re treated to a Grand Final series rematch between the Perth Wildcats and Melbourne United.
Somehow, Perth began last season at a double-figure price to win the whole thing, but comfortably won through to the Grand Final series and beat Melbourne United three games to one. They loom as a genuine title threat once again in 2019/20 and will be quietly confident of beginning where they left off, by beating United at what is the league’s toughest road trip.
We’ll obviously have a far-better gauge on how Melbourne United will perform in this game after we see what they do against the Phoenix on Thursday, but I’m happy to back their improved match fitness and I think that they can finish within a 3.5-point line as outsiders.
Sunday, October 6th
Round 1 of the NBL season will conclude when the new-look Illawarra Hawks host the Brisbane Bullets on Sunday afternoon.
The Hawks pulled off the coup of the offseason by signing US High School prodigy LaMelo Ball; a move that certainly looks like paying dividends in 2019/20, if his pre-season form translates into the season proper. The Hawks were far from awful last season, but I’m expecting an enormous improvement this time and they are potentially over the odds to win the whole thing at around $8.
The Bullets exceeded expectations in 2018/19 by winning into their first finals campaign since re-joining the league, and they harbour plenty of upside ahead of the new campaign. In terms of Championship betting, these two franchises are extremely well-matched, but I’m happy to be with the home side first-up. There is still enough meat on the bone for me at their current price ($1.70 at publish).