After picking plenty of winners for our NBL betting tips in Round 3, we are back once again as a big week kicks off on Thursday night with Cairns taking on Melbourne! Find out what we are thinking in our latest preview and 2016-17 NBL Round 4 betting tips.
NBL Round 4 Betting Tips
Cairns Taipans Vs Melbourne United (Thursday, 27 October at 7:30pm)
Melbourne’s season hasn't started as strongly as they would have hoped for. With Chris Goulding on the sidelines on Sunday afternoon, Melbourne struggled to find the depth to outplay the Perth Wildcats. A Cedrick Jackson buzzer-beater would have sent the game into overtime had he been able to make the shot. Currently sitting on 3 wins and 3 losses, United will have to dig deep if they want to stay relevant in a competition that’s seeing the Sydney Kings and Perth Wildcats break away from the pack.
For yet another week, Cairns were the worst team in the competition, going down to Adelaide 83-67. The Taipans were on the back foot from the first quarter, only managing to out score the 36ers in the 3rd, but by then it was too late.
Melbourne against the Taipans should spell easy victory. The books have this one being a fighter, a small 3-point line in favour of United. Despite Melbourne's recent efforts, we expect they'll be able to cover plus some so look to the margin markets.
Tip: Melbourne United by 7+ points - $2.36 at CrownBet
+ United to win Hd-Hd using CrownBet Lead at 3/4 Time Special
Illawarra Hawks Vs Perth Wildcats (Friday, 28 October at 7:30pm)
For yet another season we are watching the Perth Wildcats featuring at the top of the ladder. They currently sit in second position with a 4-1 record after notching up victories against Melbourne and Illawarra - the latter of which they will face again this week.
Old faithful Damien Martin has been a tyrant for the Wildcats in defence. He might look messy times, but DM gets it done. He doubled his season averages in boards and assists against the Hawks last week. Unfortunately, Martin also suffered a jaw injury during the game that will see him sidelined for the next 2 weeks.
Illawarra is in limbo. They started the season so well and I was personally predicting they would be at the top of the ladder and in contention. After their first round win over the 36ers 122-88, it looked like I was on the money. Then it all started to fall apart. They've since dropped games to Sydney Melbourne and Perth.
With DM and Jarrod Kenny both out for the Wildcats, this could be the Hawks time to swoop. Either way, this one looks like it could go down to the wire.
Tip: Either Team Under 7 points - $2.24 at CrownBet
New Zealand Breakers Vs Adelaide 36ers (Saturday, 29 October at 7:30pm)
The Breakers took the Grand Final series to 3 games last year, but this season they're already 1-3 and look like they have lost all of their renowned toughness. This was perhaps expected losing the likes of Cedrick Jackson.
The 36ers, meanwhile, are steaming ahead. They come into this one on the back of some solid wins - first beating the Brisbane Bullets in overtime 96-93 before dismantling the Taipans 83-67. Adelaide are firing after some incredible performance from Jerome Randle and Eric Jacobsen. We expect the 36ers will easily cover here.
Tip: Adelaide 36ers at the line (+4.5) - $1.93 at Crownbet
Sydney Kings Vs Brisbane Bullets (Sunday, 30 October at 5:00pm)
Andrew Gaze has completely turned the Sydney Kings around. There is currently no comparison. They are the best team in the NBL. The Kings have swept the Taipans, Breakers and Hawks to sit 4-1 and at the top of the ladder. Their only loss this season came at the hands of this week's opponents, the Bullets. We can perhaps forgive that slight loss as it featured some first-round jitters.
Kevin Lisch is the American born Australian who is leading the charge for the Kings. Lisch averages almost 17 points per game, while playing 30+ minutes and shooting above 90% from the free throw line.
The Bullets rebounded last week against the Breakers. After back to-back losses to the 36ers and Melbourne United, they managed to over-power the Breakers with a 4-point victory. After leading by 13 points at half time, the Bullets were looking like they had it all locked away. They then had to show immense composure during the second half when the Breakers clawed back and took the lead. They didn't panic, stuck to their game plan and edged away in the dying minutes.
Despite the Bullets great performance against the Breakers, however, based on momentum, we see this one going to the Kings.
Tip: Sydney Kings at the line (-4.5) - $1.87 at CrownBet
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Take note: Any of the tips in this article are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always gamble responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Before You Bet Twitter Page for all our thoughts in the lead up to bets! Happy punting!
