Round 12: NBL Tips & Predictions by Josh Higgins from The Basketball Fix

The NBL moves into Round 12 with 7 games on the card this week. NBL expert Josh Higgins provides his best tips for each game with a best bet of the round.

This game is a must win for both teams, one are in free fall and the other are climbing the ranks to try and conquer the NBL once again. This game is an interesting matchup and with both teams having very good guards the key to this game lies inside. Will Magney is going to have free rein in this game, his speed, strength and ability to impact the game in multiple ways gives him a huge advantage against the injury depleted New Zealand Breaks big men.

With this game being in New Zealand it does give a slight edge to the Breakers but this is a game where the Tasmanian JackJumpers will get a win away from home, something they have struggled with so far this season. This will make it win number 5 in a row after this victory for the JackJumpers and firmly places them back in with the league's best teams. 

Josh’s Tips: Will Magnay Double-Double ($3.50 PlayUp) & Tasmania JackJumpers Win ($1.51 Betr)

Both these teams come into this game with a 2 game win streak and one will extend that and the other will lose it. Very similar to this game as there can only be one winner and that winner will be the Brisbane Bullets. Their dynamic and explosive offence over the past month will put the Phoenix in an awkward position due to the pure scoring ability of so many players on the Bullets roster. 

Casey Prather will be the player to watch once again. His performances to say the least have been career bests and with a chance to continue in great form in front of his adoring home fans, he will look to capitalise on that once again. With his average of 30.1 points per game over the past 3 games, he will look to continue on that path and add to his numbers in a big way and a big win.

Josh’s Tips: Brisbane Bullets Win ($1.82 EliteBet) & Casey Prather 20+ Points ($2.12 PlayUp)

In a battle of the league's best teams there isn’t much separation between these teams statistically. Both teams have great offences and defences and their structures and dynamic play styles constantly give them an edge over their opponents. When it comes down to this game, the clear advantage in this game is health. The Illawarra Hawks have a very healthy team with all their stars playing and at a high level. Melbourne have struggled in the past week with the loss to Chris Goulding and this is the advantage now that the Hawks have. 

Melbourne are craving a scorer and in this game it will be Ian Clark who the team will look to deliver another great performance. The former NBA champion and NBL champion is coming back from a hip injury and last weekend scored 24 points off the bench. His ability to score inside and outside will help United stay in this matchup but will ultimately fall short due to the lack of help. 

Josh’s Tips: Illawarra Hawks Win ($2.34 EliteBet) & Ian Clark 15+ Points ($1.75 Betr)

Trez is back… that is all you need to know! This is super exciting for the NBL, one of the biggest personalities and star players returns from suspension and will be out for blood against the Breakers big men. The MVP candidate has been sitting back and watching these huge games by players like Bryce Cotton, Kendric Davis and Casey Prather and now he wants his and he will get it. 

The 36ers were before the suspensions one of the best teams in the league but a 4 game losing streak has hurt their season but with the band back together this game will be no worries for the 36ers and they will walk away dominant winners in this one against the Breakers who are in free fall.

Josh’s Tip: Montrezl Harrell 20+ Points ($1.69 PlayUp) & Adelaide 36ers Win By 11+ Points ($2.25 Betr)

11 is the number of games the Cairns Taipans have lost in a row, 12 is the number it will be after this game, 40 will be the number of points Bryce Cotton scores in this game and 4 is the amount of consecutive games he would have achieved that total which once again will create NBL history. 

The Perth Wildcats have really enjoyed playing in Cairns over the past couple of seasons and have a winning record over the Taipans in Cairns. This game will be no different, their defence has been a question this whole season, but it’s been the same question for the Taipans all season. This game will be a high scoring game as both teams won’t defend and will look to outscore the other team, but it will be the Wildcats who will pull away late and score a monster total in a huge win. 

Josh’s Tips: Bryce Cotton For 30+ Points ($2.00 EliteBet) & Perth Wildcats To Win By 11+ Points ($2.55 PickleBet)

In what is one of the biggest and best rivalries in the NBL due to the intense nature of these battles, the “Throwdown” once again will be must watch TV. Melbourne United have always found a way to make the Phoenix the little brother in these games and once again this will happen. They love spoiling the party and will take the Phoenix down in front of their home crowd. 

Jack White is a matchup that will be a tough one for the Phoenix. Even though the Phoenix have a strong big men combination in Jordan Hunter and Matt Hurt, White's ability to crack the glass and score from the three point line and inside makes him almost an impossible player to defend. He is a second half dominator and will be the factor in this game that will get them across the line in the clutch. 

Josh’s Tips: Melbourne United To Win ($1.61 PickleBet) & Jack White Double-Double ($1.76 Betr)

Sydney has been a tale of two stories. Their best has been championship level and their worst has been a team who could miss the playoffs. This game presents an opportunity for them to win 2 games in a row and do it in front of their home fans. This is what they will do and they will put the Brisbane Bullets back in their place after an impressive last month. 

Jaylen Adams has been playing great basketball recently and his playmaking is taking centre stage currently. Fresh off of 10 assists against the New Zealand Breakers and his 6.5 assists per game average this season, he will again look to get out in transition and get his team moving and going on offence. 

Josh’s Tips: Sydney Kings To Win ($1.50 Betr) & Jaylen Adams 6+ Assists ($1.54 PlayUp)