The exciting NBL22 season continues with Round 13 getting underway on Thursday night. We bring a preview and best bet for that game and many more for free right here!
NBL Round 13 Betting Tips
Cairns Taipans vs Brisbane Bullets
Thursday 7:30pm AEDT, Cairns Convention Centre
Since starting the season on the front foot at 2-1, the Taipans have gone on a horror run to lose seven of their last eight games, including each of their last four. It must be noted that five of their last seven have come on the road and they haven’t had a fully fit Scott Machado, but things have still been bad enough for star import Tahjere McCall to call a players only meeting after their most recent loss to the 36ers.
The Bullets have also struggled mightily in recent weeks with losses in six of their last seven games. They too have had to play without their best player in Nathan Sobey, but still have two genuine stars in Robert Franks and Lamar Patterson available. Most recently the Bullets gave up a whopping 98 points against the Phoenix, which was their second time in four games where they’ve given up such a total.
These teams have only met once so far this season and it was the Taipans who pulled off a big upset win in Brisbane. They put a massive 102 points on the board that night, which is uncharacteristic for the Snakes who have struggled mightily on offence this season. Regardless, that win will give them plenty of confidence ahead of a must-win clash on Thursday night and we think they make the most of it.
Illawarra Hawks vs Adelaide 36ers
Friday 7:30pm AEDT, WIN Entertainment Centre
Just as it looked like the Hawks had found some form after stringing back-to-back wins together against the Taipans, they lose at home as the heavy favourites against the newcomers in the JackJumpers. Despite being fifth on the ladder and only one win behind second, it’s been a disappointing campaign so far for the Hawks who clearly have one of the most talented rosters in the competition.
The 36ers have breathed some life back into their campaign on the back of two wins from their last three starts. In all fairness, they’ve now put together three or four really solid performances together in a row and are slowly but surely climbing up the standings. Clearly their best win of the season came three games ago against United, but their most recent win over the Taipans was right up there.
Both teams have won two of their last three outings heading into Round 13, but the feel around the competition is that the 36ers are the better form team of the two. Their worst result from the last four rounds is a five-point loss against the in-form JackJumpers, which is form that stacks up really well against the Hawks. With that said, we see them as great value to cover the spread on Friday night.
Adelaide 36ers +5.5
$1.95
Brisbane Bullets vs Tasmania JackJumpers
Saturday 5:30pm AEDT, Nissan Arena
The Bullets had plenty of chances to take control of the game in the fourth quarter against the Taipans last start, but were unable to make any timely plays and eventually fell by four points. They managed to put up only 69 points for the second time in their last three games, despite Nathan Sobey returning from injury, albeit on a minutes restriction. The Bullets have now lost each of their last three and seven of their last eight games.
The JackJumpers have surprised us all with just how competitive they’ve been in their inaugural NBL campaign. They’ve been fantastic in recent weeks with wins in five of their last six games, with their only loss during that span coming on the road against a talented Phoenix squad. On the back of their recent success, the JackJumpers have improved to 7-7 on the season and are two wins outside the top four.
Despite winning just one of their last eight and coming up against one of the form teams of the competition, the Bullets will start as the clear favourites to win on Saturday night. In our opinion, this is nothing but disrespect to the JackJumpers who will be confident they will continue their winning ways. Taking them to cover the spread looks to be the best play here.
Tasmania JackJumpers +4.5
$1.95
S.E. Melbourne Phoenix vs Perth Wildcats
Saturday 8pm AEDT, John Cain Arena
Looking to string wins together for the first time in February, the Phoenix will play hosts to the Wildcats on Saturday night. Most recently they took care of the out-of-sorts Bullets at home by four points, although it certainly wasn’t a convincing victory. Regardless, the talented Phoenix have had a relatively successful season to date and currently sit in second spot on the ladder with a 9-5 record.
The Wildcats continue on their travels and will be playing their ninth straight game away from RAC Arena on Saturday night. It seems as though fatigue and homesickness is starting to catch up with the most successful team in basketball, as the Wildcats come into this round having lost three of their last four games. However, they remain in third spot in the standings at 8-5.
These teams will be meeting for both the second time this month and the season when they matchup on Saturday night. The Wildcats were the dominant 22-point winners last time they met despite being down by a dozen points at the first break. They’ll take plenty of confidence from that and will be hungry to make it 2/2 against the Phoenix and more importantly, bounce back from a two-game losing streak. We expect them to do just that.
Adelaide 36ers vs Sydney Kings
Sunday 1pm AEDT, Adelaide Entertainment Centre
The 36ers poor season continued on Friday night when they went down easily by 16 points against the Hawks. Besides a surge early in the third quarter, it was another disappointing performance from a team that has now lost five of their last seven games. As a result, they’re now in seventh spot in the standings and four games behind the top four.
The Kings made another savvy move by signing import Ian Clark and while he hasn’t set the world on fire just yet, he’s helped his team build a fantastic four-game win streak. Fellow American import Jaylen Adams has already proven himself to be one of the best players in the competition, maybe even the best depending on who you ask. Last time out the Kings were three-point winners at home to the Wildcats, making it six wins from their last seven games.
These teams are yet to meet this season, but the Kings will rightfully start as the favourites despite being the travelling team. The Kings and the 36ers have been trending in opposite directions in recent weeks and the former are arguably the in-form team of the whole competition. With that said, we’re more than happy to back the Kings into win and cover the spread here.
Cairns Taipans vs Melbourne United
Sunday 3pm AEDT, Cairns Convention Centre
The Taipans tried their best to give the game away on Thursday night against the Bullets, but eventually won the game by four points despite scoring just 22 points in the second half. Scott Machado looked close to being back to his best and hit a number of timely shots, which is a great sign for Snakes fans. Regardless, it’s been a tough season to date as they’re already five games behind a top four spot.
United have been firing on all cylinders on the offensive end over their current three-game win streak, averaging better than 98 points a game during that stretch. Impressively, United’s worst result this season is a nine-point loss to the JackJumpers, which shows just how consistent they’ve been from game to game and week to week. As a result, they’re on top of the table with an 11-4 record.
The Snakes looked a bit better on offence with Machado running the show on Thursday night, but they’ll need to be a hell of a lot better again on Sunday if they’re to test the best team in the competition in United. Unfortunately, we just don’t see it happening and believe backing in United to cover the spread is the best way to play this one.
Melbourne United -4.5
$1.90
Tasmania JackJumpers vs Perth Wildcats
Monday 7:30pm AEDT, MyState Bank Arena
The JackJumpers put up a decent fight away to the Bullets on Saturday night, but couldn’t avoid coming away with a loss, which was their second from their last three games. Despite that, it’s been a very competitive start to life in the NBL for the JackJumpers who have clearly exceeded expectations to date. They’re now 7-8 on the season and just one win outside the top four.
The Wildcats have gone on an uncharacteristic losing run in recent weeks, losing each of their last three and four of their last five games, all of which have come on the road. The Wildcats remain on their travels for the 10th consecutive game this Monday and will be desperate to improve on the defensive end after giving up 86+ points in each of their last three games.
These teams have met once so far this season and it ended in a very comfortable 18-point win for the Wildcats. Despite being the worse form team of the two, they’ll start as the favourites once again in their second ever clash, which is fair enough considering the contrast in talent between the two rosters. With that said, we expect the Wildcats to be too good for the JackJumpers and to finally get back onto the winners list.
Perth Wildcats -4.5
$1.90
*All NBL22 Round 13 Previews and Betting Tips Coming Soon*
