Round 5 in the exciting NBL24 season is jam-packed with cracking matchups. There are eight games to be played out, with double-headers scheduled for four straight days (Thursday-Sunday). Of course, we have you covered with a preview and best bet for all eight Round 5 games 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.
Season review: Round 4 was our best round of the season to date, going +3.67u. That takes us to +5.28u for the season.
NBL24 Round 5 Preview & Betting Tips
New Zealand Breakers vs Adelaide 36ers
Thursday 5:30pm AEDT, October 26th, Spark Arena
Due to their NBAxNBL commitments, the New Zealand Breakers have only played three games so far in NBL24 but are set to see their schedule ramp up in the coming weeks. They kick things off on Thursday night with a home clash against the Adelaide 36ers, which is a team that last season’s runners-up should be making light work of. The Breakers have had two narrow losses in a row and will be desperate to take care of home court to get back to 2-2 on the season. However, there’s no value in the head-to-head market, so I’ll be looking elsewhere for a play here. Instead, I love the unders in the total points market, as the current line just looks far too high. The Breakers were terrific on the defensive end at home last season and I’m expecting a similar level of stinginess from them in NBL24. Meanwhile, the 36ers lack consistency on the offensive end and just simply don’t have a lot of firepower.
Under 176.5 Points
$1.95 (2 Units)
Illawarra Hawks vs Cairns Taipans
Thursday 7:30pm AEDT, October 26th, WIN Entertainment Centre
Click here for our full game preview and best bet!
Tasmania JackJumpers vs Melbourne United
Friday 7:30pm AEDT, October 27th, MyState Bank Arena
Click here for our full game preview and best bet!
Perth Wildcats vs Brisbane Bullets
Friday 9:30pm AEDT, October 27th, RAC Arena
An unexpected tough start to the season sees the Perth Wildcats enter Round 5 with a 2-4 record and on a three-game losing streak. They’ve lost back-to-back games on the road against the Kings and the 36ers but now return home to RAC Arena where they’re a positive 2-1 in NBL24. Meanwhile, the Bullets began their campaign on the front foot with wins in their opening two games but have had a dip in form since to lose four on the spin. The Bullets have also played two in a row on the road but will continue travelling in Round 5. The Wildcats are in much need of a win to steady the ship and I think getting back home to the Jungle is key here. I’m expecting Bryce Cotton to have a breakout game and am prepared to back the home side to cover the spread for one unit.
Perth Wildcats -5.5
$1.91 (1 Unit)
SE Melbourne Phoenix vs New Zealand Breakers
Saturday 5:30pm AEDT, October 28th, John Cain Arena
After a slow start to the season, the South East Melbourne Phoenix have hit their straps over the past two rounds. They began NBL24 at 1-3 but have now won three on the spin and have looked extremely good in the process. Having Alan ‘Big Sauce’ Williams back in the mix has been the key for the Phoenix. He’s the anchor on the defensive end and can also chip in with double-figure scoring at the other end. The Phoenix will welcome the New Zealand Breakers to John Cain Arena on Saturday in a matchup where they’ll start as favourites. The Breakers have been a bit disappointing to date and enter this game on a three-game losing streak. Also without star import Zylan Cheatham for the next couple of months, it’s only going to get tougher for last season’s runners-up. As a result, I fancy the Phoenix to get the job done and cover the spread at home.
SE Melbourne Phoenix -3.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
Cairns Taipans vs Sydney Kings
Saturday 8pm AEDT, October 28th, Cairns Convention Centre
The Cairns Taipans will be in action for the second time in Round 5 when they take on the Sydney Kings on Saturday night. The Snakes lost a heartbreaker against the Hawks on Thursday night, going down by one-point after Tyler Harvey knocked in a go-ahead three with just 0.3 seconds on the clock. That loss takes the Snakes to an even 2-2 on the season with one win at home and one on their travels. Elsewhere, the Kings will be playing their first and only game of Round 5 when they travel to Cairns. The defending champs will be looking to bounce back from their last start loss to the JackJumpers, which they lost by 10 points on their home deck. In a massive boost for the Kings, star forward DJ Hogg will be playing his first game for the club on Saturday night and it just so happens to be against the Snakes – the team he tore it up with last campaign. The Kings are now absolutely stacked in all positions and it makes sense for them to be the favourites in this one. I expect them to be too good and to cover the spread on the road.
Sydney Kings -4.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
Melbourne United vs Illawarra Hawks
Sunday 2pm AEDT, October 29th, John Cain Arena
Melbourne United and the Illawarra Hawks will lock horns for the second time in 10 days when they come together on Sunday afternoon. United won their opening matchup by 10 points (101-91) despite being the away team and will start as the red-hot favourites again in Round 5. Both the handicap and total points line look to be fair in this one so I’ll be looking to find some value elsewhere. Instead, I’m keen to be on Hawks big man Sam Froling to assert himself and score 15+ points. He was a focal point in their offence in their first game of Round 5 and you wouldn’t expect them to change a winning formula considering victories have been few and far between for the best part of two years.
Sam Froling 15+ Points
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
Brisbane Bullets vs Tasmania JackJumpers
Sunday 5pm AEDT, October 29th, Nissan Arena
The final clash of Round 5 is an interesting one, with the Brisbane Bullets taking on the Tasmania JackJumpers at Nissan Arena. The Bullets inflicted further pain on the Wildcats in their opening game of the round, notching up an important win to put an end to a four-game losing streak. Elsewhere, the JackJumpers were outplayed by United in their first game of the weekend, losing their first game at the Nest in NBL24. JackJumpers coach Scott Roth wouldn’t be pleased with their defensive efforts in recent games which is usually their strong suit. You can expect a big focus on that end of the floor against the Bullets and that brings in the unders in the total points markets.
Brisbane Bullets Under 84.5 Points
$1.85 (1.5 Units)
