NBL Round 14 preview, tips & betting predictions | January 4 – 7

January 3, 2024 5:27 am.by Jackson Swan

NBL Round 14 Betting Preview & Tips

The NBL action continues this weekend with six matches of top-level Australian basketball. Here are our previews for round 14 of the 2023–24 NBL season:

Sydney Kings vs Melbourne United preview

Thursday, January 4 – 7:30pm AEDT – Qudos Bank Arena

Sitting comfortably clear on top of the NBL standings, Melbourne United will be looking to return to winning ways as they went down to the Cairns Taipans on New Year’s Eve. Although it is not a cause for concern, Melbourne will be looking to make sure they don’t lose two in a row as they face the Sydney Kings. Sat in third place, the Kings are one of the top sides in the NBL, but inconsistent form has plagued their season. This match shapes up as the best of the weekend as the defending champions take on the best team right now.

Melbourne United to win

-125
@
Neds

Illawarra Hawks vs South East Melbourne Phoenix preview

Friday, January 5 – 7:30pm AEDT – WIN Entertainment Centre

After starting the season in horrific form, the Illawarra Hawks have completely turned their form around after winning four of their past five matches. On the other hand, the Phoenix have struggled lately, losing four of their past five to drop below .500 for the first time this season. In the logjam for the lower finals spots, this match will have major implications for the end of the season.

Illawarra Hawks -6.5

-111.11
@
Playup

Tasmania JackJumpers vs Cairns Taipans

Saturday, January 6 – 5:30pm AEDT – MyState Bank Arena

Another side that has seen their form plummet is the JackJumpers, who have gone from 9-5 to 10-9 after a terrible December. The worst home team in the NBL, the JackJumpers, should be concerned as they welcome the dangerous Taipans. Sitting just outside the finals spots, the Taipans have looked like an improved side lately, but recent form shows the JackJumpers have won the past three meetings between the sides.

Adelaide 36ers vs Melbourne United

Saturday, January 6 – 7:30pm ACDT – Adelaide Entertainment Centre

Down the bottom of the table and out of finals contention, the Adelaide 36ers are looking for a major upset as they welcome the first-placed Melbourne United. With just one win from their past seven matches, the 36ers have rarely impressed this season. On a short turnaround United may look to cycle through the line-up, but they should have too much quality for this match.

New Zealand Breakers vs Perth Wildcats

Sunday, January 7 – 4:00pm NZDT – Spark Arena

The form side of the NBL, the New Zealand Breakers have risen up the standings to sit in fourth place after winning their past four matches. Despite their clear defensive concerns, the Breakers have a dynamic offence led by Anthony Lamb and Parker Jackson-Cartwright. They face another form team in the Wildcats this week, who sit second having won three of their past four. Wildcats guard Bryce Cotton leads the NBL in scoring, so expect an exciting high-scoring game.

Sydney Kings vs Brisbane Bullets

Sunday, January 7 – 4:00pm AEDT – Qudos Bank Arena

The final match of round 14 has the Sydney Kings on a short turnaround welcoming the Brisbane Bullets for their second match of the weekend. The ninth-placed Bullets finally broke their four-match losing streak last Saturday, but with their poor record they need a miracle to contend for the finals positions. The Kings have won four of the last five between the sides and will be hard to beat here.