***NBL & WNBL 17-21 October

YTD: 1-1

The leagues aren't running side by side this season with the weeks so wasn't sure how to name my thread. Games started tonight and go until Monday 21st.

Only one WNBL game tonight, sees Perth travel to Soutside (formerly Dandenong). Waiting on lines before deciding whether to make a play or not.

NZ Breakers finally start their season after spending some time in the US. They play Sydney in Sydney and then return home to play Sydney again.

Just a few notes from the first weeks, Taipans and Hawks look very weak. SE Magic look great with Robertson and Creek. The Wildcats are just doing usual Wildcats things and the Bullets look good as well with Sobey really playing well. Melbourne will improve once they get fit, not too sure what to make of NZ this year, need to watch some of their games and then you have the Kings who a lot of people I know are already talking them up but they did just play Cairns who look terrible and then they 36ers who just got back from the US as well. I actually think NZ wins one of their 2 games vs the Kings this weekend.

 Perth Wildcats @ Melbourne United: Perth ML

As I type this out, Melbourne are playing Sacramento Kings and its 8.23 pm, Wednesday in the States. Melbourne plays on the 20th, back home against clearly the inform team of the league. Due to the time of this Sacramento game, United won't be leaving the States until Thursday (US Time) which really is Friday Australia time. By the time they get home, it will be Saturday due to time difference. They actually almost lose an entire day due to time zones. They will be buggered and if they were playing the Taipans, then I would back them but the way Perth are playing, I have to back Perth and Gleeson in this once in a season opportunity to really get a team in a horrible spot.

Despite living in Melbourne, I wish you nothing but the best with this bet after succumbing to Coach Vickerman's nonsense. 

Here I was thinking he may limit his starters even slightly considering they have a 20 hour flight back to Melbourne to play in a meaningful and important game, but instead he runs all of them into the ground. Long played 33 minutes, CG 34 minutes, Trimble 31. 

I will back Perth here until the cows come home. 

:( lacked only one point ... so unlucky.

by the way, I know its not related to Basketball but May I have your thinking about the A-League game Melbourne Victory vs WSW tomorrow?

thank you in advanced

Peekay, I have no idea why Vickerman would do that.. Was it to give his players exposure to any NBA scouts? I am lost for words like you were mate. If they were playing Cairns on Sunday then I understand but to play the Wildcats and then burn his players out like that before a long flight home is just insane.

Was a tough loss, just one free throw was needed for this to hit. Unfortunately it didn't happen.

Was a WSW member for several seasons but after they tore then old stadium down and re-built the new one, I haven't renewed my membership. WSW look good on paper, Victory do as well. I would have to lean either a draw in this game or Victory as the season is young and I am not too sure how well WSW will play away from their home ground.

Thanks Aussie.

Looking for your future play on NBL !

Aussie any thoughts about Sydney game? Bogut will play? I think about NZB...

No thoughts mate, NZ returning home from the US, Bogut and Lisch look to be out for the Kings tonight. Kings haven't played anyone decent yet, they were strugging against Cairns until the 4Q, they played Adelaide who just got home from the US. They have had a very easy schedule. NZ are celebrating Websters 200th game and Abercrombie has signed a contract extension but this game has too many "what if's for me.

Also, the Perth line is too high for me, -12.5 is a lot to cover and I know its Cairns but wouldn't take much for a cheeky back door cover. I don't think the Cats will get that many offensive rebounds against the Cairns this week. They got plenty last week vs Hawks last weekend which resulted in so many 2nd chances, not tonight with the Cairns bigs quite decent, its just the Cairns guards and forwards are hard to back in this game. Perth on a Friday night, learnt that lesson last week not to fade them.

Also Prather looks good to play on Sunday vs the Cats.

No injury news out of Perth or Cairns for the 2nd game tonight.

 Cairns Taipans @ Perth Wildcats: Under 169.5

Don't expect Gleeson's team to allow over 80 points in this game against the Taipans. If they do, then I deserve to lose this bet.

Don¡¯t think anyone saw that one coming 

What are your thoughts today pal?

Liking Brisbane to bounce back tonight and especially Sobey to have a big game. First time back to play Adelaide and I think he will be pumped for it.

Absolutely not Peekay, never would I have thought Cairns can win that game. Biggest loss I believe for Perth at home.
Makes me a little nervous for tomorrow's game against Melbourne.

 Southside Flyers @ Sydney Uni Flames: Over 157.5

Does change things a bit mate, they either come out breathing fire or bring that poor form into Sunday¡¯s game. Prather back really boosts Melbourne, I¡¯m thinking they are just too deep now with too many high quality players. Trimble, Long, Goulding, McCarron and Prather is seriously scary

Do you see Kings winning tonight against Breakers? 

Very clutch from Mr Cotton. Needed that after a horrible week. Lost a spread and a total by the hook this weekend. Lines are super sharp across both leagues and its only been 2-3 weeks of action. Totals in the NBL seem to be just flying over, not entirely sure but would be at least 75% of the games so far this year have gone over.

One more NBL game tomorrow night, Adelaide travel to play lllawarra Hawks. Not sure if I will play but current lines are Hawks -2.5 and 191.5 total which is just insanely high but won't be playing anymore unders in the NBL moving forward because there is zero defense and teams are shooting lights out most nights.

Was out all day Jurisairam so missed this post, I hope you backed Sydney. Will watch the replay tonight if I get a chance too.

Yes pal, i took Sydney on the 2nd half. 

Happy to see you posting picks again! 

GL Aussie, do you find value in betting the -2.5 when the ML is paying $1.72?

And can you believe we are in an age where NBL totals are 190+, it was only a few seasons ago where 155 was high