NBL fans have to wait an extra day for Round 7 to get underway, with the Perth Wildcats vs New Zealand Breakers clash scheduled for a Friday night tip-off. However it’s a matchup that promises to be well worth the wait, and we provide our full game preview and best bet below!
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. Alternatively, you can find all of our NBL Round 7 best bets here!
NBL24 Round 7 Preview & Betting Tips
Perth Wildcats vs New Zealand Breakers
Friday 9:30pm AEDT, November 10th, RAC Arena
The Perth Wildcats silenced the critics in Round 6 with a pair of crucial wins. They began the round with a home victory in a see-sawing affair against the 36ers before heading on the road and defeating the top-of-the-table United at John Cain Arena.
It’s no time to relax for the most success NBL franchise, as they still hold a negative 4-5 record which places them sixth in the standings coming into this weekend’s action. However, there is cause for optimism on the back of last round’s play, particularly with Bryce Cotton hitting his straps.
Cotton entered Round 6 averaging a tick over 14 points a game and with a top score of 22 for the season, but tallied 29 and 24 points against the 36ers and United respectively. He also connected on seven threes last weekend after having only 14 in the seven games prior.
Much has been talked about the Wildcats struggles this season, but it’s now in fact the New Zealand Breakers that are in desperate need of a win. Their poor form has flown under the radar a touch, but last season’s runners-up are currently 2-5 and are second last in the standings.
Indeed, the only two wins the Breakers have secured this season were against the Taipans who many expect to miss the finals this season. Worryingly, they’re 0-4 against teams in the top six and their schedule is only going to get tougher/busier from this point onwards.
On a positive note, Anthony Lamb has made a strong start to life in New Zealand and has quickly become their go-to guy on offence. He was fantastic last start against the Kings when he poured in 29 points, and the feeling is he will only get better with more NBL games under his belt.
Match prediction: This is a tricky game to predict considering the poor form both sides have shown in the early stages of NBL24. Both clubs were expected to be thereabouts when the whips are cracking in a couple of months’ time, but both enter Round 7 with a negative record. For that reason, I’ll be staying away from the H2H and total points markets.
Instead, I believe there’s some value in a cheeky, yet safe Same Game Multi, with the focus being on the two main options on offence for their respective teams. As noted above, Cotton is warming into the season and I expect another big game from him. Similarly, Lamb should be getting plenty of looks on offence on Friday night. I’ll be taking Cotton for 20 points and Lamb for 15.
SGM: Cotton 20+ points, Lamb 15+ Points
$1.90 (2 Units)
