It feels like an eternity since the Sydney Kings and the New Zealand Breakers booked their spot in the final two, but the Championship Series will finally get underway this weekend. We preview Game 1 of the five-game series below and bring you our best bet!
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NBL Championship Series Game 1 Preview & Betting Tips
Sydney Kings vs New Zealand Breakers
Friday March 3, 7:30pm AEDT, Qudos Bank Arena
And finally, it begins.
The week off for the FIBA break has given both Grand Final teams plenty of time to deep dive into each other’s offensive and defensive schemes, which will make for an intriguing series, none like we’ve seen before.
The Sydney Kings finished as the higher seed on the ladder and will do the honours of hosting Game 1 of this best-of-five series. They will host Games 1, 3, and 5 (if required).
The first game of a series is always the most interesting one. What coverages will each team employ to stop/limit the opposing team’s best player?
For the Kings, their most important piece of the puzzle is ensuring that MVP Xavier Cooks can contribute in the ways that made him the league’s best player this season. Point guard and fellow NBL All First Team recipient, Derick Walton will be tasked with making sure that takes place.
Meanwhile, the Breakers will be wondering whether the Kings employ the same style of tactics the JackJumpers did when they tried all they could to get the ball out of the hands of elite playmaker Will McDowell-White. They may not chose not to do so after seeing the damage that 6th Man of the Year Barry Brown Jr. was able to do when he was the ball-dominant guard.
Needless to say, there’s a lot to look out to and forward to in the first game of what I’m anticipating to be a tight series.
Due to the somewhat lengthy break between drinks, you can expect both teams will be fit and healthy to attack the first game of the series.
In terms of matchups this season, the Kings won the battle 2-1 against the Breakers, winning once at home and once on the road, however, the Breakers won their most recent battle at Qudos Bank Arena, outlasting the Kings 93-88 on that occasion.
Like many, I’m predicting a close battle when these teams meet in the first of possibly five times. However, unlike many, I see an upset brewing, or at least something close to one.
I believe the Breakers have all the tools to keep this one very tight and will be backing them to cover the spread on Friday night.
New Zealand Breakers +4.5
$1.95 (1.5 Units)
