The leaderboard after nine weeks of the 2016-17 NBL season is extremely tight as some teams continue to surprise, while others falter. Once again looks like an interesting week, with all the action starting on Thursday night as we have our NBL Round 10 preview and betting tips.
NBL Round 10 Betting Tips
New Zealand Breakers Vs Brisbane Bullets (Thursday, December 8th at 5:30pm AEST)
The Breakers are coming of back-to-back losses. They lost at home last week to the Hawks, then travelled to Melbourne and were crushed by United 98-74.
Brisbane, meanwhile, have drastically turned their season around. Since their Round 5 loss to the Breakers, the Bullets are 4-2, including a big 15-point win against the Wildcats in Perth. During that game, Jermaine Beal and Adam Gibson were instrumenta with 17 points a piece. Torrey Craig - who should be on everyone's radar for MVP - had a relatively quite game against the Wildcats, but against Cairns hit 24 points, 10 boards and 4 assists.
This one could go either way. It's hard to predict who will come out on top. But what's not hard to see is that the points on the board should be huge.
Tip: Total game points OVER 170.5 - $1.88 at CrownBet
+ Consider Brisbane to win ($2.28) using CrownBet Special
Perth Wildcats Vs Melbourne United (Friday, December 9th at 9:30pm AEST)
Its been 10 long years since the Perth Wildcats dropped four games in a row. Before last weekend, they were fighting for the top spot on the ladder, now they're struggling to stay off the bottom. Perth’s Injury woes continue to grow with Matthew Knight going down against Brisbane with a serious hip injury. While its still early in the season, the injury count probably excludes them from making a serious run at the 2016-17 NBL championship.
Melbourne, however, have turned the tables around and are slowly climbing the ladder.
We mention Casper Ware every time we there is a Melbourne game, but the kid has changed the entire look of the United line up. He dropped 26 points against the Breakers, not to mention the 5 rebounds 2 assists while shooting 100% from the free throw line. Ware has quickly become Melbourne’s first option. This continues to free up Goulding and Andersen, giving United a pretty convincing attack.
With a depleted lineup, the Wildcats should struggle against Melbourne.
Tip: Melbourne United at the line (-1.5) - $1.91 at CrownBet
Brisbane Bullets Vs Illawarra Hawks (Saturday, December 10th at 7:30pm AEST)
The Hawks have certainly come to play in the 2016-17 NBL season. They are currently on a mid-season run and have lifted themselves into 3rd position. Last time out, they managed victory over the Breakers 95-91, before going down the the Kings 99-93. Rotnei Clarke continues to dominate off the bench with 22 points against the Breakers, followed by 29 points against the kings.
We can expect Brisbane to put up a fight when the Hawks fly into town, but we can't see either team sneaking away by any convincing margin.
Tip: Either team by less than 7 - $2.34 at CrownBet
Sydney Kings Vs Melbourne United (Sunday, December 11 at 3pm AEST)
This will be the third time these two teams face off this season and we are expecting it to be as spectacular as the first two. Sydney comes off a tight win against the Hawks while United enjoyed a comfortable 24 point drumming of the New Zealand Breakers.
Talent wise these two teams are the most evenly matched. Casper Ware can shoot the lights out anywhere it seems and Kevin Lisch and Brad Newley are dropping 20+ a night for the Kings.
Shot for shot this one can go either way. In their first game the combine score was 158, In the second 187. With Ware, Lisch and Newley are dropping bombs lately we can expect this one to sail high above the 170.5 line.
Tip: Total Game Score OVER 170.5 - $1.89 at CrownBet
Cairns Taipans Vs Adelaide 36ers (Monday, December 12th at 7:30pm AEST)
This a great match-up on Monday night. Cairns are currently anchoring the top four, while Adelaide is on their tail in 5th and both teams come into this one off the back of surprise wins - the Taipans defeat edthe Bullets in the Queensland derby, while the 36ers kicked off the Wildcats in Adelaide.
It wasn't to long ago where most, including us were writing the 36ers off. Their season looked to be over, but with 3 straight wins they are back and ready to play. Jerome Randle has even managed to shake off his midseason woes dropping 23 points, 5 boards and 6 assists last time out.
The Taipans are playing on sheer will. They have the worst draw in the league, yet are still picking up wins and look to be cementing themselves in the top four. Travis Trice and Nat Jawai have been putting up some big numbers, Trice with 24, 4 and 4 where Jawai slammed down 16 points, 5 boards and 3 assists.
Both teams are on two game weeks, with the Taipans lucking out for back to back home appearances. Travel will take its toll on Adelaide who are backing up from the Breakers.
We like the Taipans in a tight contest.
Tip: Cairns Taipans at the line (-2.5) - $1.83 at CrownBet
