The 2021/22 NBL season ignites as we get ready for the first set of fixtures and the first set of best bets in what shapes to be another exciting year of hoops.
Tassie Jack Jumpers vs. Brisbane Bullets
December 3rd 7:30pm
The newly inaugurated Tasmania Jack Jumpers gets its first ever taste of an NBL contest when it faces the Brisbane Bullets in Hobart.
The Jack Jumper did not look out of place at all during the pre-season, but did lose their last game of the practice matches to the team they face tonight.
The Bullets have gone through some serious change in the off-season after narrowly missing out on the finals last year.
It will obviously take a little bit of time for the Jack Jumpers to put it all together and get their team cohesion sorted out.
Brisbane should have enough star power with the likes of Lamar Patterson to carry the load in this game.
Suggested Bets:
Brisbane Bullets -2.5 at $1.95
Perth Wildcats vs. Adelaide 36ers
December 3rd 9:30pm
A 36th finals series in a row beckons for Perth Wildcats this season when they begin their quest towards glory against Adelaide 36ers at RAC Arena.
The 36ers pinched a pre-season win over the Wildcats last Friday, but Perth was missing a host of players as it rotated through its squad in preparation for the new season.
Bryce Cotton returns from the injury that kept him out of the finals in the 2020/21 and his creativity with ball in hand is going to take the Wildcats a long way in this game.
It will be interesting to see how the 36ers deal without Josh Giddey being the playmaking master he was for the franchise last season.
Doubt Adelaide can conjure up anything to challenge the home team.
All signs point to the Wildcats being too strong in this game.
Suggested Bet: Perth Wildcats -6.5 at $1.91
SEM Phoenix vs. New Zealand
December 4th 8:00pm
John Cain Arena opens its doors for the South East Melbourne Phoenix and its season-opener against New Zealand.
The Phoenix were left shattered in their semi-final loss last season after a strong campaign, while the Breakers were left to do deal with hubs and constant travel away from home which equated to a second-last finish on the table.
The misfortune for the Breakers has continued to plague their lead up in the new season with captain Thomas Abercrombie set to miss an extended period with injury, while a handful of staff including their coach have been struck down with COVID.
It is going to take a pretty strong mindset for the Breakers to overcome these mitigating circumstances against a Phoenix team who finished the pre-season with a win against cross-town rival Melbourne United.
Suggested Bet: SEM Phoenix -5.5 at $1.87
