The Friday Fast Break: Week 4
Perth v Adelaide (Friday, Perth -13.5 to -14.5)
The Wildcats are undefeated, riding to a 3-0 record reasonably unchallenged. The Sixers are winless through three and have shown nothing, getting hammered by the Kings on their home court. This is a total mismatch. The line is about right and this match provides little interest.
Cairns v Wollongong (Friday, Cairns -5 to -5.5)
Coming in fresh after a week off, the Taipans need a strong win at home to entrench themselves in the top four. Cairns have opened 2-1 with their last weekend including a hammering at the hands of the Crocs and a shock win over the Blaze. The Hawks lost both matches last weekend on the back of horrible rebounding (losing a total 80-57) and poor handling (38 turnovers). With Cairns’ best player Alex Loughton returning and Drew Warren settling in well, the Taipans should have few problems with the Hawks.
New Zealand v Sydney (Friday, New Zealand -9.5)
Won’t the Breakers be jacked tonight, unfurling their premiership banner in their home opener that has already seen 6,000 tickets purchased and the club record broken. Despite losing Kirk Penney, the Breakers have shown themselves to have outstanding talent and depth, building a 3-1 record on the road. When these two met a fortnight back in Sydney, the Breakers won by 37. There is no way the Kings turn that around. The minus is the bet.
Townsville v Gold Coast (Saturday, Townsville +1 to +1.5)
He played only 14 minutes and he went 0/4 with just 2 assists and 1 board but the Blaze seemed to appreciate the return of guard James Harvey last week after the premiership hopefuls opened the season 0-2. With six players scoring more than 10 (not including usual scorers Harvey and Mark Worthington), the Blaze rolled to a 25-point win over the Hawks. The Crocs have been good at home, hammering Cairns and pushing Perth, but the Blaze are a much better team and laying only 1.5 points is too tasty.
Wollongong v Melbourne (Sunday, Wollongong +2 to +2.5)
The Hawks have had few things to excite them this year on their way to a 1-3 record with the exception of import Joevan Catron, who has shown plenty of ability. He is likely to be on his own though against a Melbourne team who can score. Patrick Mills is the best player in the NBL and he should get plenty of opportunities against a Hawks team who turn the ball over a lot.
Recommended Bets:
Cairns -5 (v Wollongong) at $1.90 at Sportingbet
New Zealand -9.5 (v Sydney) at $1.91 at Centrebet
Gold Coast -1 (v Townsville) at $1.90 at Luxbet
Melbourne -2 (v Wollongong) at $1.90 at Luxbet
