We went 3-4 on our NBL Round 5 tips, but hit on a $2.85 pop to pretty much break even for the week. We’re still well up on the season and will look to continue to generate profits this weekend as we preview our NBL Round 6 Betting Tips.
NBL Round 6 Betting Tips
New Zealand Breakers vs Melbourne United (Friday 5:50pm AEDT)
The Breakers come into their home match against United on the back of a really solid Round 5, where they demolished the Taipans at home before holding on for a one point win on the road against the Bullets. The Breakers now move to 4-3 on the season, which has them in fourth position in the standings.
Meanwhile, Melbourne United are coming off a mixed bag in Round 5, as they fell to the Hawks on the road by six points, but returned to winning ways when they returned home to face the Taipans. Despite dropping a game last weekend United remain in second position in the standings with a solid 6-3 record.
United have been tested on the road this season with their injury struggles and thinner roster making it hard to grind out wins. It’s still not clear whether Chris Goulding will make the trip to New Zealand for this one, which could have a huge impact on the outcome. However, with the information we have at the moment we can’t go past the Breakers at home.
Adelaide 36ers vs Illawarra Hawks (Saturday, 2:50pm AEDT)
The 36ers started the season off promisingly, but have fallen into a hole over the last couple of weeks and find themselves in an alarming four game losing streak. The case can certainly made that they’ve had the hardest draw of any team to start the season, although they still haven’t taken advantage of some favourable positions they’ve been in during certain games. The 36ers now sit in seventh position with a 3-6 record.
The Hawks had a mixed bag in Round 5, defeating the reigning champions Melbourne United at home on Thursday night, before losing to the ladder leading Perth Wildcats at home just three days later. The Hawks have been competitive in most games this season, but find themselves with a 3-5 record and in sixth position on the ladder.
This game looks like a close one on paper, but we feel there’s a significant talent gap in favour of the 36ers. Warrnambool native Nathan Sobey has been an absolute tear this season and will be licking his lips at the prospect of playing the fast-paced Hawks. We feel that he will lead the 36ers to a comfortable win on Saturday.
36ers -5.5 Handicap
$1.90
Cairns Taipans vs Perth Wildcats (Saturday 7:50pm AEDT)
The Taipans have been the most disappointing team so far in the 2018-19 season, winning just one of their first seven games. Their roster is noticeably missing a backup scoring option for when Melo Trimble isn’t firing, although that’s rare as he’s averaging an amazing 25 points and five assists while shooting 49% from beyond-the-arc.
On the other hand, the Wildcats have looked every bit like a contender in the early part of the season, climbing to the top of the ladder with a 7-1 record. They now face the test of complacency as they travel to Cairns for a top of the ladder vs bottom of the ladder match-up. Reigning MVP Bryce Cotton continues to shine for the Wildcats, averaging 24 points on an efficient 46% FG.
It’s surprising to see the Bookies price this one as a near coin toss on the back of each teams contrasting form. We’re happy to continue to back in the Wildcats while they’re playing at such a high level, especially against the struggling Snakes.
Wildcats -2.5 Handicap
$1.92
Melbourne United vs Brisbane Bullets (Sunday 2:50pm AEDT)
United will play their second game of Round 6 on Sunday in a home match-up with the Bullets. They face the difficult task of flying back to Melbourne from New Zealand with just one day rest and will take on the Bullets who are playing their only game of the round.
The Bullets surprised a few people with their solid start to the season where they were 4-3 after seven games, however, they’re coming off a really disappointing Round 5 that included heartbreaking losses to the Wildcats by three points and the Breakers by one.
United come into this one as clear favourites and understandably so, although we’re not confident they will be able to cover the rather big line. Instead, we’ve found value in the points total line, which we feel is at least 5-10 points too low.
Total Points Over 168.5
$1.90
Sydney Kings vs New Zealand Breakers (Sunday 5:20pm AEDT)
The Kings will play their first game of the weekend in the last game of the round as they host the Breakers. The Kings were able to bounce back from a disappointing loss to United in the round prior to defeat the 36ers by 12 points on the road. That win took their season tally to 4-3 and places them in third position on the ladder.
Meanwhile, the Breakers will be playing their second game of the round and face the tough task of containing Jerome Randle and Andrew Bogut. The Breakers have been solid on the road this season with two wins and one loss to date.
It’s hard to see the Breakers backing up their game against United on Friday night and testing the Kings here. The Kings look to have hit their straps and should be too strong in this one.
Kings -5.5 Handicap
$1.90
