NBL24 Round 12 continues on Saturday night with yet another double-header. The second game of the night will be at the usual timeslot of 8pm AEDT and will feature Melbourne United and the Perth Wildcats. Catch our 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
Melbourne United vs Perth Wildcats
Saturday 8pm AEDT, December 23rd, John Cain Arena
Rarely putting in a bad performance in NBL24, Melbourne United will head into the New Year as the red-hot title favourites. They’ve amassed a 13-3 record as we head into the final round of the year, and are yet to lose back-to-back games all campaign.
United have shown great character in all three occasions following losses so far. They went down unexpectedly to the Taipans by 12 points in Round 9 but have responded with three straight wins, all of them by double-figure margins.
Similarly, the Perth Wildcats are highly-fancied in NBL24, particularly off the back of their recent form. They started season extremely poorly but head into Round 12 having won seven of their last eight games to surge into second spot in the standings.
Still, there’s a lot resting on the shoulders of superstar import, Bryce Cotton. If he’s not firing and putting up big scoring numbers, the Wildcats don’t have any reliable options to step in and fill the void on offence. In saying that, Keanu Pinder’s form has been building and he’ll look to be that guy in the latter stages this season.
Match prediction: These clubs have already met twice this season and interestingly it’s been the away team that’s come away with the win on both occasions. Most recently, the Wildcats stormed home to beat United at John Cain Arena on November 6th, winning 102-95 in overtime.
Both teams have been in terrific form since their last meeting, but it’s United who have been the more impressive in my opinion. When they’re on they look unbeatable at times, and their best is clearly the benchmark in the competition. United have won five of their last six games by 10+ points and another similar result here certainly wouldn’t shock.
Melbourne United -5.5
$1.90 (2 Units)