The hectic NBL23 schedule continues in Round 12 where we have seven games to be played with no days off! Jake Smit is here to take you through his best bets for every game of the round.
With such a busy schedule over the next couple of months, make sure to check out our NBL tips page regularly to keep up to date with our best bets for every game of the NBL23 season!
NBL Round 12 Betting Tips
Brisbane Bullets vs S.E. Melbourne Phoenix
Wednesday 21st December, Nissan Arena
The Bullets tumultuous season continued in Round 11 where they suffered a pair of losses on the road. Their most recent defeat came against the 36ers and it was a demoralising one to say the least (77-108). They’ve now lost four on the spin and six of their last seven and will be completely void of confidence as a result.
In contrast, the Phoenix pulled off one of their best wins of the season last time out against the Kings. Mitch Creek would not let his side be denied in their eventual 113-112 win, pouring in a career-high 46 points to go along with 10 rebounds. Riding the wave of that win over the defending champions, the Phoenix will be looking to make it seven wins from nine games when they take on the Bullets.
These teams are worlds apart at the moment and the odds somewhat reflect that. Still, I expect the Phoenix to cover the big spread here.
S.E. Melbourne Phoenix -6.5
$1.95 (1 Unit)
Tasmania JackJumpers vs Illawarra Hawks
Thursday 22nd December, MyState Bank Arena
The JackJumpers entered Round 11 full of confidence after winning eight of their last 11 games, but it ended up being a disappointing weekend as they finished 0-2 with losses against the Taipans and the 36ers. In both games, executing down the stretch was their undoing, and that’s something you certainly don’t expect to see from this Scott Roth coached club.
The JackJumpers get the perfect bounce back opportunity when they host the Hawks on Thursday night. The Hawks head to MyState Bank Arena having lost four in a row and 13 of their last 14 games. They’re troubling times in Illawarra at the moment and it’s hard to see where their next win is coming from.
The JackJumpers will be desperate to get back on the winners list to continue their quest for a top four spot. With that in mind, they should be able to dominate this matchup with the Hawks.
Tasmania JackJumpers -8.5
$1.90 (1 Unit)
Melbourne United vs Cairns Taipans
Friday 23rd December, John Cain Arena
*Click here for our full preview and betting tips for this game*
Adelaide 36ers vs S.E. Melbourne Phoenix
Saturday 24th December, Adelaide Entertainment Centre
The 36ers are enjoying a run of games on their home deck and they’ve made the most of it so far with two wins from as many attempts. Their win over the JackJumpers last time out was especially impressive, and they’ll be even stronger going forward with NBA and NBL champion Ian Clark joining the team.
Similarly, the Phoenix have hit their straps and loom as a genuine championship contender. Mitch Creek is playing at an MVP calibre level and Alan Williams isn’t too far behind him. The one knock on the Phoenix is their poor road form this season, winning only three out of eight so far.
The 36ers have won three of their last four at home and two of those were against likely contenders in the JackJumpers and the Taipans. As long as they bring a similar level of play on Saturday night, they should be able to record another good win.
Adelaide 36ers -2.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
Sydney Kings vs Melbourne United
Sunday 25th December, Qudos Bank Arena
The Kings couldn’t come away with a win against the Phoenix last game despite a massive game from Derrick Walton Jr. That’s now two losses from their last three games, although the Kings still occupy top spot on the ladder for the time being.
Meanwhile, Melbourne United are starting to fire on all cylinders after a tough start to the season. Getting their key guys healthy and making some savvy import signings has made a world of difference. United defeated a contender in the Taipans last game and have now won four of their last five.
The Kings deserve to be favourites on Christmas night, but not as short as they are. Melbourne United, when healthy, are capable of taking it up to any team in the competition. I expect them to make a good account of themselves and at least cover the spread.
Melbourne United +8.5
$1.90 (2.5 Units)
Tasmania JackJumpers vs New Zealand Breakers
Monday 26th December, MyState Bank Arena
A couple of teams that don’t like each other will do battle on Boxing Day, with the JackJumpers hosting the Breakers. The Breakers have dominated this matchup in recent times, winning each of their last three clashes, including two meetings this season.
The JackJumpers will be hoping their big win over the Hawks last start will kickstart their season after a couple of lacklustre performances, while the Breakers will be hoping their long layoff since their last game will help them get back on the winners list after losing each of their last two games.
From what we’ve seen in the two matchups between these teams this campaign, the longer the game goes the more it favours the Breakers. This is highlighted by the fact that they’ve outscored the JackJumpers by a combined 29 points (56-27) in the fourth of their matchups. The Breakers are clearly the better team at executing when the game is on the line and I believe it will be the difference here once again.
New Zealand Breakers
$2.15 (1.5 Units)
Brisbane Bullets vs Perth Wildcats
Tuesday 27th December, Nissan Arena
To finish off what’s been an entertaining Round 12, we have the Bullets hosting the Wildcats at Nissan Arena on Tuesday night. The Bullets have had a turbulent season to date but have finally decided that their interim head coach Greg Vanderjagt will be at the helm the rest of the way. The Bullets are currently winless with Vanderjagt in charge and have lost seven of their last eight games.
In contrast, the Wildcats enter this clash in some of their best form of the season. They’ve won four in a row and six of their last eight, including three in a row on the road. They have an excellent opportunity to win five on the spin for the first time this season and I expect them to make the most of it, while covering the big spread in the process.
Perth Wildcats -7.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
