Round 1 of NBL25 concludes on Sunday with the Adelaide 36ers and the Sydney Kings facing off at RAC Arena in Perth. Both teams have high aspirations this season and that should make for a very interesting opening round clash. We bring you our full preview and best bet below!
Also, we’re providing previews and expert betting tips for every game of the NBL25 season, so make sure to head over to our NBL Tips page regularly to keep up to date with all of our content.
NBL25 Round 1 Preview & Betting Tips
Adelaide 36ers vs Sydney Kings
Sunday 2:30pm AEST, September 22nd, RAC Arena (Perth)
The Adelaide 36ers had a season to forget in NBL24 where they finished second last in the standings. As a result, they had a lot of roster turnover in the offseason and will also be led by a new coach, with Mike Wells taking over from Scott Ninnis.
In terms of on the court changes, Jacob Wiley, Mitch McCarron, and Trey Kell are the notable departures. Key inclusions are point guard Kendric Davis who looked great in the preseason, as well as forward Jarell Martin. However, Martin will miss the start of the season with injury and former NBA 6th Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell joins as an injury replacement player.
Elsewhere, the Sydney Kings enter NBL25 as the championship favourites on the back of some massive signings in the offseason. They finished in fifth spot last season and didn’t feature in the playoffs.
Veteran coach Brian Goorjian has taken over the head coach duties at the Kings after a one and done year from Mahmoud Abdelfattah. Former MVP Xavier Cooks returns after a year abroad, while Bul Kuol and Cam Oliver are also massive signings.
Game Prediction: The Kings are absolutely loaded with talent in NBL25 and that’s why they’re the favourites for the championship as well as the extremely short favourites for Sunday’s game against the 36ers. However, there’s been quite a bit of change at the Kings in the offseason and it just might take a few weeks to get their system organised. And with that in mind, the +8.5 line is a little too long for mine.
The 36ers have plenty of talent to work with this season and it should be an improved year for them. And on the neutral surface at RAC Arena, I can see them keeping this one close.
36ers +8.5
$1.90 (1 Unit)
