Round nine in the National Basketball League (NBL) in Australia delivered several captivating contests, eye-catching results and tantalising talking points, lighting up an exciting weekend of action.
The John Cain Arena produced the biggest hot topic with table toppers Melbourne United falling to defeat against seventh-placed Cairns Taipans by 12 points.
United produced an awful performance in the opening quarter, and they were comprehensively punished for their tepid display, falling 14 points behind.
While there was a mark of improvement in the second quarter, Cairns still came out on top by the slimmest of margins to extend their lead by a couple of points.
United went on to win the third quarter, but the Cairns kept their nerve to record a well-deserved 115-103 victory.
Reigning champions Sydney Kings also suffered defeat at the home of play-off hopefuls Perth Wildcats, who have been in outrageous form in recent weeks.
Since picking up just one win in a troubled October period, the Wildcats have been in sensational form since the start of November, winning their last six games in a row.
Tasmania JackJumpers made light work of Adelaide 36ers to keep pace with United at the NBL summit, while South East Melbourne Phoenix and Brisbane Bullets also picked up wins to round off the top six.
Hectic December Could Shake-Up the Play-Off Race
Heading into an action-packed festive period, there are several fixtures well worth watching as the battle to qualify for the play-offs heats up.
The Bullets continue their push for a place in the play-offs when they travel south to face the 36ers on Christmas Eve. They will play United and Taipans in the build-up to that game.
Considering they’ve emerged victorious in their last two match-ups against the 36ers, coupled with the Sixers’ terrible form this season, the Bullets will fancy their chances of picking up a win.
The JackJumpers, who have been in decent form this season, will be looking to halt their appalling run of form against Phoenix when they face-off later this month.
They have won just one of their last four NBL fixtures against the Melbourne-based club but will have four games in between to extend their recent form ahead of the crunch game against Phoenix.
An action-packed Christmas Day features the Kings taking on the Illawarra Hawks, while the Taipans take on the Wildcats on Boxing Day.
New Year’s Eve delivers an interesting-looking double-header as the Hawks face-off with the 36ers while the Taipans play host to United.
United & Kings Head the NBL Betting
NBL leaders United have emerged as online bookmakers’ favourites to dethrone the Kings as champions, with the Melbourne side on course to secure an automatic slot in the play-off semi-finals.
With odds of 2.70, United will undoubtedly attract plenty of interest on the best betting sites in Australia as they aim to secure their third championship since 2018.
The Kings are unlikely to surrender their crown without a fight, but their path to the Grand Final would be riddled with obstacles if they fail to secure a top-two finish.
Nonetheless, with odds of 4.50, the defending champions represent an eye-catching option for bettors in Australia and beyond.
The Wildcats are fancied to be in the mix, and their exciting run of form should bolster the confidence of savvy punters backing the record champions to beat United to the punch.
The JackJumpers will also fancy their chances of upsetting the established order, setting the stage for a grand slam finish to an already exciting NBL season. The latest outright odds are as follows:
- Melbourne United – 2.70
- Sydney Kings – 4.50
- Perth Wildcats – 5.50
- Tasmania JackJumpers – 6.00
- South East Melbourne Phoenix – 13.00
- Brisbane Bullets – 14.00
- New Zealand Breakers – 26.00
- Cairns Taipans – 34.00
- Adelaide 36ers – 151.00
- Illawarra Hawks – 151.00