The NBL Finals are set to get underway this weekend with United taking on the JackJumpers and the Hawks playing the Kings. We bring you our best betting tips for both best-of-three series’ right here!
NBL Semi-Finals Series Betting Tips
(1) Melbourne United v (4) Tasmania JackJumpers
Game 1: Thursday 28 April
Melbourne United v Tasmania JackJumpers, John Cain Arena, 7:30pm AEST
Game 2: Saturday 30 April
Tasmania JackJumpers v Melbourne United, MyState Bank Arena, 8:00pm AEST
Game 3 (if required): Monday 2 May
Melbourne United v Tasmania JackJumpers, John Cain Arena, 7:30pm AEST
Melbourne United have been faultless in their Championship defence to date, finishing on top of the ladder to secure homecourt advantage in the semi-finals and grand final should they progress. They went 20-8 in the regular season, winning 9/14 of their home games and 11/14 on the road.
The Tasmania JackJumpers have shocked us all with just how good they’ve been in their inaugural NBL campaign. Absolutely no one could say they expected them to make the finals this year with how their roster is constructed, but with wins in 10 of their last 12 regular season games, the JJ’s jumped into fourth spot and secured a finals berth. They 8/14 at home and 9/14 on the road.
United won the first ever meeting between these two teams, but the JackJumpers responded with wins in their next two, the last of which has an asterisk next to it due to United having a bunch of their key players out.
United will have homecourt advantage in 2/3 of the games in this series and while they should be able to find a way through the JJ’s, there’s just absolutely no value in them at around $1.10 at most sites. Instead, I’ll be looking to play the most series points market where I think Jo Lual-Acuil is a really strong bet. He had 57 points in the three games against the JJ’s this season and doesn’t have much competition in this market in my opinion.
Series Most Points – Jo Lual-Acuil
$2.50
(2) Illawarra Hawks v (3) Sydney Kings
Game 1: Friday 29 April
Illawarra Hawks v Sydney Kings, WIN Entertainment Centre, 7:30pm AEST
Game 2: Sunday 1 May
Sydney Kings v Illawarra Hawks, Qudos Bank Arena, 3:00pm AEST
Game 3 (if required): Tuesday 3 May
Illawarra Hawks v Sydney Kings, WIN Entertainment Centre, 7:30pm AEST
The Sydney Kings’ season took a completely different path when Jaylen Adams became fit and healthy, as the import dominated game after game and was recently rewarded with league MVP honours. Adams still had plenty of help with the likes of Xavier Cooks and Jarell Martin both having really good seasons. The Kings finished in third place with a 19-9 record, winning 9/14 at home and 10/14 on the road.
The Illawarra Hawks were slow starters in NBL22 but hit their straps at around the halfway mark of the season and found some really strong form. They finished the season with wins in eight of their last nine games, which saw them climb into second spot on the ladder and finish with a 19-9 record. The Hawks were okay at home with wins in 8/14, but showed their best work on the road where they went 11-3.
These teams will be very familiar with each other’s schemes having played four times during the regular season, including twice in the month of April alone. The Hawks were winners in three of their four meetings and their only loss came in overtime. On the back of their regular season dominance against the Kings, coupled with having homecourt advantage, I’m very keen to be on the Hawks to win this series as slight underdogs.
Series Winner – Illawarra Hawks
$2
