NBL24 Round 12 continues on Boxing Day where we have a standalone game that should be a cracker! The Cairns Taipans will play hosts to the Perth Wildcats in Cairns, and you can find our full game preview and best bet for free right here!
Also, we’re providing previews and expert betting tips for every game of the NBL24 season, so make sure to head over to our NBL Tips page regularly to keep up to date with all of our content.
NBL24 Round 12 Preview & Betting Tips
Cairns Taipans vs Perth Wildcats
Tuesday 7:30pm AEDT, December 26th, Cairns Convention Centre
After a slow start to the season, the Cairns Taipans have turned things around of late to secure four wins from their last six games. They’ve also won their last two including a dominant 94-75 victory at home against the Phoenix last time out.
Injuries plagued the Taipans early in their campaign but they’re finally getting a good run at it in that regard. However, a full bill of health also poses questions to the Taipans coaching staff as to who deserves to be in the starting 5. Sam Mennenga is someone who has recently entered the starting lineup and has made a good fist of it, with a combined 31 points across his past two starts.
Desperately unlucky to come away with a loss from the Open Air Game on Christmas Eve were the Perth Wildcats. They looked as though they had done enough to secure the win late in the piece but eventually fell in overtime against Melbourne United.
Bryce Cotton was phenomenal again despite his team losing. He poured in 36 points on efficient shooting, but didn’t quite have enough help around him. Still, the Wildcats have been in fantastic form in recent weeks and enter this Boxing Day clash having won seven of their last nine games.
Match prediction: These clubs have only met once so far in NBL24 and that meeting came in Perth on November 16. The Wildcats were too strong in that one when coming away with an 88-80 victory, although the Snakes certainly had their chances to pinch it.
The Snakes will have home court advantage on their side this time around and that is always an important factor to take into consideration. The Wildcats have a 2-5 record on the road this season which is equal for the second worst mark in the competition, while the Snakes are 4-4 at home which ranks equal fifth. At full strength and with home court on their side, I believe the Snakes deserve to be the clear favourites in this one.
Cairns Taipans to Win
$1.95 (1 Unit)
