NBL Phoenix v Breakers betting tips & odds – October 15, 2022

October 14, 2022 3:23 pm.by Jack Hudson

NBL tips and best bets


South East Melbourne Phoenix vs New Zealand Breakers NBL Betting Odds & Game Info
Best odds	Phoenix $1.55 at BetOnline \| Breakers $2.50 at BetOnline
When	Saturday, October 15 \| 8pm AEDT
Where	John Cain Arena, Melbourne
Last time they met	Phoenix 99–89 Breakers (Rd 19, 2021/22)
Watch live	Fox Sports, Kayo

Round three of the 2022/23 NBL season continues Saturday in Melbourne with SEM Phoenix hosting the New Zealand Breakers at John Cain Arena. The Phoenix started their season well with a win over the JackJumpers before narrow losses to the Hawks and Taipans have halted their progress. Meanwhile, the Breakers have only suffered a narrow loss to the United before also beating the JackJumpers in Auckland.

The Breakers have the advantage heading into this match having only played two games so far this season, while the Phoenix have also had a soft start to the season with two of their three games being played in Melbourne. However, it’s the Phoenix who have had the strong hand over the Breakers winning four of the last five matches between the two clubs.

While the Breakers have only played two games this season, they were only narrowly beaten by Chris Goulding and a very good United side. While the Phoenix have been beaten by the Taipans, they also lost to the Hawks who have struggled to start this season. The value in this match is with the Breakers, who will surely play a very physical game defensively as they did against the JackJumpers. NZ are a great winning chance at $2.50 with BetOnline.

Both these sides have started the season with rather low scoring affairs despite talented players like Mitch Creek taking the court for the Phoenix. Should the Breakers play another physical defensive game as they did against the JackJumpers, and the Phoenix struggle to score like they did against the Taipans, this will be another low scoring affair falling below the -169.5 points at $1.90.

New Zealand showed in their match against the JackJumpers that when they can get in front on the scoreboard early, they are able to attack more with their defence and force their opponent to be constantly chasing them on the scoreboard. Getting out to a lead early will be key to the Breakers getting this win, and should they go on to win, they should also see themselves as first-half winners at $2.45.

Key matchup: Jarrell Brantley v Mitch Creek

This battle in the front court will be key to a Breakers victory as captain Jarrell Brantley will surely be the man tasked with stopping former NBA forward Mitch Creek from dominating in the paint. Creek made 12 of his 15 shots from the field against the Taipans, and although the Phoenix lost, it was not by a large margin. Brantley will need to be the man who leads the Breakers defence to stop Creek and the Phoenix, which will take the Breakers a long way to victory on the road.