Round 6 of the 2019-20 NBL season tips off tonight in New Zealand, the first of six big games to take place this weekend.
The season has been a tough one to find a winner, but we’ve done our homework, studied the play and think we might be able to find you a winner – with a few upsets here and there ahead of this weekends hoops action.
Can the New Zealand Breakers find some much needed “Spark” to their season with a win over Melbourne United at Spark Arena?
Facing Melbourne United who is on a four-game winning streak in Auckland, it will prove a challenge for the Breakers who have been better than what their current 2-4 record suggests.
The Breakers come off a loss at home to the Wildcats on Sunday while Melbourne United are up and about coming off a big win over crosstown rival the South East Melbourne Phoenix.
United has currently won eight of their past nine against the Breakers and beat them comfortably 104-98 at Melbourne Arena back in Round 4.
Melbourne United are starting to look scary and despite this being a road trip for them, they should be able to get the job done across the ditch.
No longer having the embarrassment of playing at a venue named after another sport, the Brisbane Bullets host the Sydney Kings at the venue now called Nissan Arena.
Much like the cars themselves, the Bullets got off to a really good start, had a bit of a slump but seems to be working again with a couple of wins.
It will be interesting to see how they fare against the Sydney Kings who had their first season loss against Melbourne United last round.
Current trends suggest that the Kings don’t lose consecutive games and are a squad full of quality, whereas the Bullets, like a second-hand Pulsar, might be able to get the job done but can’t go the distance when you really need them to.
The Brisbane Bullets have shown a fair amount of improvement of recent, but with the Kings winning their past eight against them I expect that trend to continue with the Bullets being competitive.
Happy to take the Kings at the 1-10 margin at the current price.
This will be the historic first meeting between the Nix and the Breakers.
The new kids on the block – the South East Melbourne Phoenix have had an excellent start to their inaugural season with a 4-2 record but have lost two of their past three.
Assuming things go to script, the Breakers might be coming into this game less than 48 hours of playing Melbourne United at home and may have lost to them.
With that being the case, expect the Breakers to be desperate for a win.
Phoenix will also be on the rebound coming off a loss to United in the second “Throwdown” so expect a close one here.
With that in mind, I quite like the half time/full-time lead market and find the home team being up at the main break with the Nix stealing a win at the end fantastic value and is my best bet for the weekend.
For the Illawarra Hawks, so far the 2019-20 NBL season has been a Barry Crocker for the foundation club.
With 1 win and 7 losses to their name, many cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel and a trip to the “Snake-Pit” up North may not be the place to see it.
Given their inconsistency, backing the Taipans is always fraught with danger but they’ll be licking their lips about their chances to put on a show for their adoring home fans this Saturday night.
The Taipans have won two out of their last four, play at home against a weaker opponent and should really make the most of it.
Melbourne United will back it up from Thursday nights across the ditch and host the Adelaide 36ers at home.
United has had a slow start to the season but is starting to really get things going whilst the 36ers had a good start but have come off consecutive losses.
The 36ers will be well-rested going into this match and wanting to snap their two-game losing streak but playing Melbourne United on their home court is always a daunting task.
Expect a high scoring, close match with Melbourne United being able to get the job done.
Taking the margin market in this one is smart punting.
Many regard this clash between the Kings and Wildcats as a potential Grand Final preview.
Sydney will have to turn it around from their Friday night game in Brisbane while the Wildcats go into this nice and fresh.
With Perth only having the one game this weekend it will be a big advantage for them in such a huge game.
Many will consider betting against the Kings this season to be risky, especially at home but if there’s a game to do it – it’s this one.
Expect the champs to get the chocolates in a thriller to finish off NBL round 6.