SEM Phoenix v Melbourne United NBL betting tips – 19/11/2022

Saturday evening NBL tips off with the Melbourne Derby when United and the Phoenix clash at John Cain Arena. These two clubs clashed in the final match of round six, where United thumped the Phoenix by 25 points. Both clubs sit around the ‘play-in tournament’ line of the 2022/23 NBL season, so they each need this win to start building towards the NBL post-season.

Both teams have already lost to begin round seven of the competition; United went down to the 36ers, while the Phoenix were bested by the Wildcats. United have won their last four matches against the Phoenix and will be looking to build on that winning streak against their cross-town rivals.

The Phoenix have had to travel back from Perth, which will take a toll on them, and given their recent loss to United, SEM are incredibly hard favourites to back. At $2.45 with Marantelli Bet, United are an incredibly good value play.

When these two clubs last met, Chris Goulding led United from the three-point line while Isaac Humphries was dominant in the paint, as the pair teamed up for 50 points and contributed heavily to a high-scoring match. Alan Williams did a bulk of the scoring for the Phoenix with Mitch Creek in support, combining for 54 points. Should these four men return to their scoring best, this match will finish well over the 172.5 total points line ($1.85).

With Goulding, Humphries and Xavier Rathan-Mayes, United can score almost at will on their day, and they showed that against the Phoenix as well as the 36ers in their last start. Look for United to have the highest-scoring quarter of the match on Saturday ($2.20).

Key matchup: Alan Williams vs Isaac Humphries

The battle of the big men should be important here with both sides opting to using smaller starting fives to spread the floor and create space on the interior. The pace should be fast, meaning both these centres will be up and down the floor a lot, testing their endurance and drive. Rebounding, especially offensively, will be key to getting second-chance looks and creating more scoring opportunities for attacking sides. As basketball has trended towards a guard-dominant sport, it will be brilliant to watch the old-school battle in the paint between these two brilliant centres.

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