Best Bet
New Zealand Breakers +3.5 at $1.90. We expect another close game. Perth only won by four points when these teams met in Perth two weeks ago, and the Breakers have improved since then. This is a medium-strength bet. Perth are hard to beat at home, so we would rather take the start than back New Zealand to win.
The reasoning
Perth won their first meeting this season 97-93 at RAC Arena on 26 September, but they had to come back from 11 points down. New Zealand covered a 5-point line that night. The Breakers have since won their last two games to move to 3-2, including an 88-72 win in Adelaide.
New Zealand’s three-point shooting is the main reason for our pick. They are shooting a league-best 42.3% from three and made 13 of 26 against the 36ers. Parker Jackson-Cartwright has been one of the best players in the league so far. He had 27 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists in Adelaide and has made four or more threes in four straight games.
Perth are 3-1 and have won three straight since losing on opening night, with all four games at home. Elijah Pepper and Kristian Doolittle were both strong in the win over the Phoenix. Perth are also without Lual-Acuil Jr, who is unlikely to play because of a calf injury, and are being cautious with Knight after an illness.
Main danger: The Breakers are about to play several games away from home, while Perth play 11 of their first 13 games at home. If New Zealand miss their threes early, Perth could win comfortably. Perth have also won the last six games between these teams.
Same Game Multi (SGM)
SGM (2 legs):
- New Zealand Breakers +3.5 - Perth only won by four at home last time, and New Zealand have improved since.
- Parker Jackson-Cartwright 3+ three-pointers - he has made at least four threes in four straight games and took nine three-point shots in the last game against Perth.
We have only included two legs. We could not find a total points line or another player stat that was reliable enough for a third leg.
Combined price: $3.60
How we’d play it
- Main bet: Breakers +3.5 at $1.90.
- Player bet: Jackson-Cartwright 3+ three-pointers is also worth a small bet on its own.
- SGM: Small stake. The two legs depend on each other, so if New Zealand shoot well, both are likely to win.
- Tip-off is 9:30pm AEDT on Saturday at RAC Arena in Perth.
