The hectic NBL23 schedule continues to begin the new year with Round 14 getting underway on Wednesday night with a double-header. We bring you previews and betting tips for those games as well as all other Round 14 matchups right here!
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 14 Preview & Betting Tips
New Zealand Breakers vs Perth Wildcats
Wednesday January 4th, 5:30pm AEDT, TSB Stadium
The past couple of weeks have been a hectic period for all NBL teams except for the Breakers, who have only played once over the past four weeks. They’ll be itching to get back onto the floor on Wednesday night to play in front of their home fans for the first time since December 8th, but to also attempt to snap a three-game losing streak. Will McDowell-White is expected to miss again through injury, although Rayan Rupert and Rob Loe are expected to suit up.
The Wildcats managed to bounce back from a tough loss against the Bullets with a 10-point victory against the Hawks last start. They’ve now won five of their last six and seven of their last 10 games, which. Has seen them improve to fifth in the standings.
The Wildcats are starting to get solid contributions from Bryce Cotton’s supporting cast, which makes them a tricky proposition for a Breakers team that has already lost to them once at home this season. Without their floor general in McDowell-White, coupled with the rust of sitting out for so long, I expect the Breakers to struggle against the Wildcats again on Wednesday night.
Perth Wildcats +5.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
Sydney Kings vs S.E. Melbourne Phoenix
Wednesday January 4th, 7:30pm AEDT, Qudos Bank Arena
*Click here for our full preview and betting tips for this game*
Brisbane Bullets vs Cairns Taipans
Thursday January 5th, 7:30pm AEDT, Nissan Arena
The Bullets are trying hard and have been more competitive consistently in recent games but wins have continued to elude them. They’ve lost seven of their last eight games and are now well and truly out of the playoff race.
The Taipans pulled off one of the greatest escapes in NBL history against the 36ers last start, overcoming an 18-point fourth quarter deficit to claim victory. Such a feat is already impressive, but even more so when you consider they did it without their MVP in Keanu Pinder who will miss again on Thursday night due to injury.
The Snakes are still vying for a top two spot and are playing with the required urgency to give themselves a legitimate chance. Even without Pinder, they should have no problem getting the chocolates against a Bullets outfit that is simply playing for pride at this point.
Cairns Taipans -3.5
$1.92 (2 Units)
Adelaide 36ers vs Illawarra Hawks
Friday January 6th, 7:30pm AEDT, Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Certainly not the sexiest Friday night game on our hands in Round 14.
The 36ers will be eyeing off a strong bounce back win after choking against the Taipans last weekend, while the Hawks are simply playing for pride.
The line has been set at a whopping 11.5 and that’s fair enough considering how poor the Hawks have been in NBL23.
It’s almost impossible to know what to expect to play out here, but you would hope the 36ers will be playing with a sense of urgency with their season hanging in the balance. If they can put together four quarters of intense basketball, they’re the more likely to cover the spread in what’s a low bet game for me.
Adelaide 36ers -11.5
$1.90 (0.5 Units)
Tasmania JackJumpers vs Melbourne United
Saturday January 7th, 5:30pm AEDT, MyState Bank Arena
The first game of Saturday’s double-header could have huge ramifications regarding playoff and play-in seedings. The JackJumpers are marching their way up the standings and still hold slim aspirations of finishing in the top two, while United are hoping to keep their play-in chances alive.
Almost every game for United is do-or-die at this point, and it’s showing with how they’ve been performing. They head to Tassie having won four of their last five games and are one of the form teams of the competition.
United will have to overcome a poor H2H record against the JJ’s (2-6) and a dismal road record this season (3-6) to get the win on Saturday night. On current form, I believe they’ll give it a red-hot shake, but will settle for them to cover the spread for a bit of insurance.
Melbourne United +3.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
Sydney Kings vs Perth Wildcats
Saturday January 7th, 8pm AEDT, Qudos Bank Arena
*Click here for our full preview and betting tips for this game*
Adelaide 36ers vs New Zealand Breakers
Sunday January 8th, 2pm AEDT, Adelaide Entertainment Centre
The 36ers looked down and out against the lowly Hawks last start but some inspiration from Antonius Cleveland late in the fourth quarter saw them rise above and secure their fifth win from their last six games.
In contrast, the Breakers looked a little shaky late against the Wildcats in their most recent game, although they were still able to come away with the win and snap a three-game slide in the process.
The 36ers are the form team in this contest and also have home court advantage on their side. After riding the high of their exhilarating win against the Hawks, I expect them to double the dose in Round 14 again secure another vital win. In saying that, it'll only be a low bet game for me due to the consistent fight the Breakers have shown this season.
Adelaide 36ers
$1.95 (1 Unit)
Cairns Taipans vs S.E. Melbourne Phoenix
Sunday January 8th, 4pm AEDT, Cairns Convention Centre
Rounding out Round 14 will be an interesting battle between the Snakes and the Phoenix. The Snakes have shown their depth in recent performances without their MVP in Keanu Pinder, who will miss again due to an injury he picked up against Melbourne United a couple of games ago.
The Snakes were utterly dominant from start to finish against the out-of-sorts Bullets last start, and will cherish being back at home after playing of our their last six on the road.
The Phoenix will be hoping to get some bodies back for this one after playing severely undermanned in their past couple of games. They have been soundly beaten in each of their last three.
Despite being without Pinder yet again, I have to side with the Snakes to get the job done at home. They’ve won four of their last five at the Cairns Convention Centre and should be able to better that record and cover the small spread on Sunday afternoon.
Cairns Taipans -2.5
$1.80 (1.5 Units)
