Round 5 of the 2022-23 NBL season is in full swing and while many saw the Sydney Kings sitting atop the NBL ladder, not many would have predicted the Cairns Taipans would be close behind. The Taipans have been the giant killers so far this season and they are looking to claim another big scalp when they clash with the Kings in a Saturday night NBL blockbuster!
Greg Davis is back with his preview and NBL betting tips for the big match!
Sydney Kings vs Cairns Taipans Preview & Betting Tips
Qudos Bank Arena, Saturday, October 29th, 8pm (AEDT)
Sydney beware.
The Cairns Taipans have you right where they want you – on your homecourt at Qudos Bank Arena.
Say what now?
You would think having the reigning champions - who are top of the table in their championship defence – playing at their Homebush fortress would mean some sort of advantage for the Kings.
But not this Saturday when they host the third-placed Taipans.
Cairns boast a 4-2 record in the NBL’s 2022-23 season with all four of their victories coming on the road and both losses taking place in Far North Queensland.
The away wins haven’t been gimmes either with the Snakes claiming the scalps of Sydney, Melbourne United, Tasmania and South East Melbourne in a super impressive and highly surprising start to the season for the men in orange.
Cairns handed Sydney an 83-78 defeat just two weeks ago when the team-first Taipans had five players in double figures in the points column while the Kings could not hit the side of a barn from three-point range with just eight triples from 28 attempts.
Kings head coach Chase Buford challenged his team post-match to be physically and mentally stronger and they responded with wins over Brisbane and Melbourne with a loss to Adelaide in between after the 36ers were hitting shots from the carpark.
Sydney’s 87-69 win over Melbourne United in Melbourne last Sunday afternoon was particularly impressive.
After a slightly sluggish start, Sydney’s defensive intensity and willingness to share the ball in offence was too much for a clunky United who were blown off John Cain Arena in the last three quarters.
The Kings will have to bring that same intent at both ends of the floor to repel the Taipans who have been led superbly by forward/centre Keanu Pinder who is averaging 17 points and 10 rebounds per game this season to stamp himself as one of the best big men in the NBL.
Cairns have had a broad cross-section of contributors under head coach Adam Forde who questioned the team’s hunger and ball movement in the 68-64 loss to New Zealand on Sunday.
So, expect the Snakes to be better this Saturday night when they take on their favoured guise of road warriors but the Kings will be ready for them in the knowledge that Cairns are the real deal and worthy of their full and undivided attention.
It should be tight and tough given both teams have already played this season and have fresh evidence to scout.
Either team by 7 or less
$2.30
