With NBL teams playing once and sometimes twice over the weekend, it is rare that all the teams in the competition will line up with the same amount of total games played. If we take a look at the current NBL ladder the Perth Wildcats are at the top on 8-1 whilst Melbourne United are second on 8-3 having played an extra two games.
The Sydney Kings are third on 5-3 from just 8 games. Perth offer excellent value at the moment to win the NBL Championship, paying $3.75. They have the best home advantage in the competition and Bryce Cotton is killing it this season, averaging 24.2 points a game.
The Wolf has had a strong last 3 rounds, tipping at 72% from 18 games. Let’s takes a look at all the matches from Round 7 of the NBL.
| MATCH/TIME (AEST) | NBL BEST BETS |
| BRISBANE BULLETS v ILLAWARRA HAWKSBRISBANE CONVENTION CENTRE THURS 22 NOV 0750PM | Brisbane Bullets ($1.60) |
| NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS v PERTH WILDCATSSPARK ARENA FRI 23 NOV 0520PM | Perth Wildcats ($2.00) |
| ADELAIDE 36ERS v CAIRNS TAIPANSTITANIUM SECURITY ARENA FRI 23 NOV 0750PM | Adelaide 36ers -5.5 ($1.36) |
| MELBOURNE UNITED v SYDNEY KINGSMELBOURNE ARENA SAT 24 NOV 0250PM | Melbourne United ($1.70) |
| ILLAWARRA HAWKS v ADELAIDE 36ERSWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE SUN 25 NOV 0250PM | Illawarra Hawks ($2.00) |
| PERTH WILDCATS v NEW ZEALAND BREAKERSQUDOS BANK ARENA SUN 25 NOV 0750PM | Perth Wildcats ($1.35) |
ADELAIDE 36ERS (4-6) ($1.36) v CAIRNS TAIPANS (1-7) ($3.15)
Team win puts the 36ers back on track
The 36ers bounced back as expected with a thumping 25 point win over the Illawarra Hawks. It was an even team performance from Adelaide who didn’t rely too heavily on new import Demetrius Conger who played 17 minutes for 8 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists.
Interestingly the 36ers had a poor start and were down by 9 points at quarter time before Brendan Teys helped them click into gear defensively and restricted the Hawks to just 16, 16 and 17 points in the final three quarters. Centre Daniel Johnson had a massive influence with 16 points (10/10 FT) and 9 rebounds but most importantly he is a versatile, athletic big man who runs the floor well.
The Wolf thinks this will be another tough game for the Taipans. Conger will continue to get better as he spends more time with the 36ers. Keep in mind this time last week he wasn’t even in the squad.
BEST BETS: Adelaide 36ers -5.5 ($1.36)
MELBOURNE UNITED (8-3) ($1.70) v SYDNEY KINGS (5-3) ($2.15)
Sydney are the Kings but can Melbourne wear the crown?
It was only a couple of weeks ago that these two teams played with a strong performance by DJ Kennedy helping United win 77-70 at home. Melbourne match up well with the Kings and they will take plenty of confidence into this game because Casper Ware didn’t have a big impact and has played himself into form since that match. Whilst he only had 9 points in that game, Ware had 23 points against the Bullets (102-94 W) and 24 against the Breakers (101-108 W) last weekend.
Punters should keep in mind that this is the only game that United and the Kings will play in Round 8 so we can expect them both to be fresh. Only a huge performance from Jerome Randle will get the win for the Kings. United have plenty of attacking options and Josh Boone loves taking on NBA veteran Andrew Bogut. The Wolf thinks United will get another win.
BEST BETS: Melbourne United ($1.70)