Hawks v Kings NBL betting tips & best odds – Friday 16/12/2022

Friday night NBL action features the local derby between the table-topping Sydney Kings and last-placed Illawarra Hawks at the WIN Entertainment Centre. The Hawks will be looking to extract revenge for their final-second loss to the Kings in their last match, while the Kings will be looking to improve their league-leading record on the road.

The Hawks have continued to struggle this season but will be looking to return to winning ways as they get back on their home court. Meanwhile, the Kings will be desperate to improve following a horrendous final quarter that gifted the JackJumpers a come-from-behind win.

Of the last five clashes between these sides, the Kings have been victorious on four occasions. While the Kings are expected to win this with ease, they have shown some inconsistencies during the season. The Hawks are also capable of putting up a fight in defence, which should keep the margin in the 1-10 range ($2.80).

Throughout the season the Kings have been led by Derrick Walton Jr, Dejan Vasiljevic and Xavier Cooks. If they’re not pouring in points from the perimeter with Walton and Vasiljevic, the Kings are able to space the floor and create opportunities for Cooks to score in the paint. This will stretch the Hawks’ defensive systems and see the Kings record the highest-scoring quarter of the match ($1.45).

Recent history has trended towards lower-scoring matches between the Kings and Hawks. With both sides coming back from losses, emphasis will be placed on the defensive end to limit the damage of the opposition. Look for the low-scoring trend to continue with this match finishing below 171.5 total match points ($1.95).

Key matchup: Tyler Harvey vs Derrick Walton Jr

The last time these two clubs met, and the Kings crumbled horrendously in the final quarter — and it was Tyler Harvey who orchestrated their demise. His efficient scoring from both inside and outside the three-point line created a problem the Kings simply couldn’t solve. Derrick Walton Jr has been the backbone of the Kings both on offense and defence, and he will be solely responsible for ensuring the Kings don’t allow Harvey to go on another scoring run. Walton will need to lock down Harvey defensively before pushing the pace in transition and distributing to his teammates for as many scoring opportunities as possible. If the Kings don’t stop Harvey on Friday, the Hawks could upset the league leaders and come away with the win.

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