The final game of NBL Round 8 will tip-off on Monday night in Cairns. It’s the third-placed Taipans taking on the ladder-leading and defending champion Kings. Jake Smit has you covered with his analysis and best bets for the game!
Also, make sure to check out our NBL tips page where you’ll find our best bets for every game of the 2022-23 NBL season!
Cairns Taipans vs Sydney Kings
Monday 7:30pm AEDT, Cairns Convention Centre
The Cairns Taipans and the Sydney Kings will do battle for the third time this season when they meet at the Cairns Convention Centre on Monday night. The Taipans took the honours in their first meeting (83-78), before the Kings bounced back two weeks later (106-103), which sets up a juicy Game 3 between two of the top teams in the competition.
The Taipans have already played one of the top two teams in Round 8. They hosted the Breakers in a 2nd vs 3rd matchup on Friday night but weren’t able to get over the line as they went down 71-82. That loss snapped a mini two-game win streak they had built on the back of good performances against United and the Bullets.
The Kings have had plenty of rest since their thrilling win over the Hawks in the Freeway Series last weekend. It’s been eight days since Shaun Bruce hit a buzzer-beating three to secure a one-point win and break Hawks’ hearts. They’ve now won three games in a row by four points or less and sit on top of the ladder as a result.
Buzzer-beaters to win the game have become a theme for the Kings this season, and the Taipans know all about it. Kouat Noi splashed one from deep to defeat the Taipans and level the series at 1-1 when they met around four weeks ago.
The Taipans are unlucky not to be 2-0 against the Kings this season, which is why it’s surprising to see them as big underdogs in their third matchup, especially with them being on their home floor. They have the talent and gameplan to take it right up to the Kings again on Monday night and I expect them to at least cover the spread as a result.
Cairns Taipans +4.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
Player Props
DJ Vasiljevic was a frustrating watch last week when he missed a bunch of shots in the fourth quarter to eventually fail to cover his points line. However, the chances will be there again against the Snakes who play at a frenetic pace, which plays right into the hands of long-range marksmen like DJ. He should be on for a good game here.
DJ Vasiljevic Over 13.5 Points ($2 at TAB)
Another DJ I fancy on Monday night is Hogg for the Snakes. He’s coming off his quietist outing of the season against the Breakers earlier in the round, so you can guarantee he’s going to be looking to make amends. I expect Hogg to put up a ton of shots and to bounce back in a big way against the Kings.
DJ Hogg Over 17.5 Points ($1.90 at TAB)
