NBL fans have had one day off to recoup and go again with Round 13 beginning on Thursday night. We bring you our analysis and best bets for all seven games this 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 13 Preview & Betting Tips
Adelaide 36ers vs Brisbane Bullets
Thursday 29th December, 7:30pm AEDT, Adelaide Entertainment Centre
The Bullets snapped a five-game losing streak with a much-improved performance against the Wildcats on Tuesday night, getting their first win under interim head coach Greg Vanderjagt. Although they got the chocolates in the end, the Bullets made it extremely difficult for themselves with poor execution in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter.
Ian Clark was expected to make his debut for the 36ers against the Phoenix in Round 12, and while that didn’t eventuate, it mattered little as the 36ers came out victorious. They’ve officially hit their groove in NBL23, having now strung three consecutive wins together for the first time.
These teams met in Adelaide only 12 days ago and it was the 36ers who ran rampart in a 31-point demolition job (108-77). The Bullets have shown some small signs of improvement since that game, but not enough to make up such a big margin this time around. I expect the 36ers to record another easy win on Thursday night.
Adelaide 36ers -6.5
$1.77 (3 Units)
Sydney Kings vs Tasmania JackJumpers
Friday 30th December, 7:30pm AEDT, Qudos Bank Arena
* Click here for our full preview and betting tips for Kings vs JackJumpers *
Illawarra Hawks vs Perth Wildcats
Saturday 31st December, 5:30pm AEDT, WIN Entertainment Centre
The Hawks will be eyeing off a rare win on Saturday night when they host the Wildcats at the WIN Entertainment Centre. The Hawks have won just one of their last 15 games and have only two victories to their name for the entire season.
Meanwhile, the Wildcats are coming off a bitterly disappointing defeat in overtime against the Bullets. No doubt they would’ve put in some work on their free throws since that game as they missed a whopping 18 of them, which ultimately cost them a vital road win.
The Wildcats have won each of their last seven fourth quarters coming into this game, so as long as they’re even or better at three-quarter time, they should be covering the spread here. I expect them to have a healthy lead regardless, and I’m keen to back them in for a couple of units.
Perth Wildcats -5.5
$1.85 (2 Units)
Cairns Taipans vs Adelaide 36ers
Saturday 31st December, 8pm AEDT, Cairns Convention Centre
* Click here for our full preview and betting tips for Taipans vs 36ers *
Tasmania JackJumpers vs South East Melbourne Phoenix
Sunday 1st January 2023, 2pm AEDT, MyState Bank Arena
Our New Year's NBL action kicks off with the JackJumpers hosting a wounded Phoenix in Tasmania. The JackJumpers will be looking to start the New Year afresh after a whalloping at the hands of the Kings that saw them slip back outside the Top 6. They were outgunned in every department, and will be looking to regain the form that saw them topple the Taipans last time they were at home. In that match, it was their depth of contributors that was a highlight as well as the ability of their big men to neutralise their opponents. If the JJs are hitting the boards, then they are usually in good shape. Watch for star recruit Milton Doyle to bounce back here after a quiet night in Sydney.
It's a real opportunity for the JJs to claim another big win as the Phoenix are still reeling from a host of injuries and illness that plagued the team during the Christmas period. At one point head coach Simon Mitchell even feared they would be unable to field a team for this contest. However they are past that point now with Dane Pineau recovering from Covid, while Trey Kell and Anzac Rissetto were both unwell but will make the trip South. Alan Williams and Gary Browne appear in doubt with injury.
Everything appears to be pointing the way of the JJs here. They will be determined to bounce back hard, while the Phoenix are battling to even get on the floor. If the Nest is buzzing then the JJ's should be able to get the job done.
JackJumpers to win
$1.80 (3 units)
Brisbane Bullets vs Melbourne United
Sunday 1st January 2023, 4pm AEDT
No preview
Illawarra Hawks vs Cairns Taipans
Monday 2nd January, 7:30pm AEDT, WIN Entertainment Centre
After overcoming all sorts of odds to claim their 11th victory of the season last start against the 36ers, the Taipans will be eyeing off another important win when they take on the Hawks on Monday night. They’ll have to do so without their MVP candidate in Keanu Pinder who’s set to miss at least the next two games with injury.
The Hawks will play hosts on Monday night when they aim to snap a demoralising six-game losing streak. It’s simply been a horrible campaign for last season’s semi-finalists, and one that has been riddled with injuries to key players. However, they’re expected to be near full strength for this one, with the likely exception being Peyton Siva who picked up a shoulder injury last start.
These teams met only a couple of weeks ago in Cairns when the Taipans needed overtime to record a one-point win. They won’t have Pinder to bail them out this time and the Hawks now have the advantage of home court. As a result, I see this as a major danger game for the Snakes and expect the Hawks to at least cover the spread.
Illawarra Hawks +7.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
