NBL24 Round 12 will include a double-header on Christmas Day for the first time. The second game of the day will be a Freeway Series battle between the Sydney Kings and the Illawarra Hawks. We have a full game preview and best bet below!
Also, we’re providing previews and expert betting tips for every game of the NBL24 season, so make sure to head over to our NBL Tips page regularly to keep up to date with all of our content.
NBL24 Round 12 Preview & Betting Tips
Sydney Kings vs Illawarra Hawks
Monday 7:30pm AEDT, December 25th, Qudos Bank Arena
The Sydney Kings pulled off an encouraging win against the JackJumpers in Round 11, defeating them by eight points on the road (92-90). However, they were unable to back up that performance in a Grand Final rematch with the Breakers on Friday night, falling 101-109.
The defensive side of the ball continues to be the Achilles heel for the Kings and it let them down once again last outing. Remarkably, the Kings have now given up 100+ points seven times this season, including four times in their last six games which have all resulted in losses.
Across the Freeway, the Illawarra Hawks received a reality check from the JackJumpers on Saturday night. They went into that clash full of confidence having won three of their last four games under interim coach Justin Tatum, but were simply outworked and outclassed by a quality opponent.
Still, the Hawks never gave up on Saturday night and managed to pull the margin back to a respectable 11 points at the end of regulation. If it weren’t for a horrible first half where they were outscored 51-30, then perhaps the result could’ve been much different.
Match prediction: These rivals have already met twice this season and both games have ended in comfortable wins for the Kings. They defeated the Hawks by 15 points and 20 points in their two games and both were on the road in Wollongong; the Kings will now get their chance to play hosts on Saturday night.
Although the Kings have had the wood over the Hawks in recent times, I believe the odds should be a lot closer than they are. The Hawks have been playing with far more intent under Tatum and have proven they can match it with the better teams in the competition when they’re on song. With that in mind, I’m more than happy to back them in to at least keep this one close.
Illawarra Hawks +10.5
$1.84 (2.5 Units)
