The NBL enters Week 8 from Wednesday night and will see a number of key clashes between teams of similar form and ladder positioning.
The ladder is really starting to take shape following seven rounds of competition and Week 8’s fixtures have the potentially to cause more shuffling.
We’re offering the best odds on all games in Week 8 of the NBL!
Illawarra Hawks vs Sydney Kings
Week 8 of the NBL gets underway with a derby between the Illawarra Hawks and Sydney Kings at The Sandpit on Wednesday night. The Hawks have mustered only four wins and six losses from their ten starts this season, but will be confident of seeing off the Kings who have won only three of eleven games. This match marks the return of Kings star Josh Childress from injury, who is sure to add an extra element this his team’s chances. The Hawks are justifiable favourites leading into this match but the Kings are more than worth consideration at current $2.70 odds for success.
Super Stars
Andrew Ogilvy scores 21 points or more and Hawks win: $2.50
Jason Cadee scores 15 points or more and Kings win: $4.50
Townsville Crocodiles vs Melbourne United
Giant killers the Townsville Crocodiles welcome the league-leading Melbourne United to humid North Queensland on Thursday night. The Crocs are certainly yet to find full flight this campaign but have delivered a number of notable opponents defeat; most notably Melbourne in the reverse leg of this fixture last Friday. Melbourne began their season in the best way possible via a string of positive results but have interestingly fallen into something of a slump and have lost their three most recent fixtures. Townsville clearly showed they were up to the task in last week’s ‘David vs Goliath’ match and represent terrific value at current odds.
Cairns Taipans vs Adelaide 36ers
In what has every likelihood of figuring as the most well-contested match in Week 8 of the NBL, Cairns play hosts to Adelaide on Friday night. The Taipans were unlucky to be edged out by a single point in their trip to Perth last week, while the 36ers delivered the Hawks a comfortable defeat in their most recent appearance. In Adelaide the result of this match is probably a foregone conclusion, however at the Snakepit any number of results could play out. Adelaide sit perched in the middle of the table on six wins and as many losses and are worth consideration to win this match as $2.20 outsiders.
Perth Wildcats vs New Zealand Breakers
The Perth Wildcats have returned to competition in typically smart form this season and remain hot on the heels of Melbourne after securing eight wins and four losses from their twelve matches so far. New Zealand are also in good form and enter week 8 off the back of a busy week 7 which delivered wins over both Sydney and Melbourne. Perth interestingly rank as clear favourites to win this match but if the form of last week alone was considered it is the Breakers which look the safer bet.
Illawarra Hawks vs Townsville Crocodiles
Illawarra and Townsville are charged with two matches in Week 8 of the NBL and meet at the home of the former on Saturday night. Depending on how each team plays earlier in the round, this fixture has the potential to be an absolute thriller, particularly if the Crocodiles enter the match off the back of a win. Townsville have displayed that have no issue travelling and beating the league’s best recently and arguably offer punters the best value for money in win-loss markets this weekend.