NBL Tips and Predictions - Round 8

We've got company at the top of the NBL ladder.

The Sydney Kings won both of their Round 7 games on the road, 99-91 in Perth and 71-68 in Launceston. That second one knocked the JackJumpers off their perch, and both sides now sit at 7-3.

Kendric Davis was the difference, with 24 points and nine assists against the Wildcats and another 20 points and nine assists against Tasmania.

Perth had a week to forget. They lost twice at RAC Arena, first to the Kings and then 105-98 to the bottom-placed Illawarra Hawks. If home-court advantage was meant to save them, nobody told Kelan Martin, who dropped 23.

Melbourne United were the big movers. They won 113-97 in Cairns, then thumped the Breakers 94-74 on Melbourne Cup Eve. Josh Oduro had 26 points on 8-from-9 shooting in the first game and 19 rebounds in the second.

Behind the top two, it's a mess. Cairns and United are 6-5, Perth 5-4, Brisbane 5-5, Adelaide 5-6 and the Phoenix 4-6. New Zealand have lost four straight to slide to 4-7.

Seven games, four teams playing twice and a ladder that could look completely different by Sunday night. Who's going to make their move?

Let's find out who's going to bring home the bag in Round 8. For the latest NBL news, analysis, and odds, check out our expert NBL Round 8 tips and predictions below.

Brisbane Bullets vs Perth Wildcats Prediction

Wednesday, November 4, 7:30pm AEDT – Nissan Arena

Perth arrive in Brisbane on a two-game losing streak, and both of those losses came at home.

That's a worry for a side that had been so tough in the west. The Wildcats are 5-3 at RAC Arena, and they've only played one road game all season, which they lost.

Brisbane bounced back from a 107-85 home loss to Cairns by winning 96-89 in Adelaide on Sunday. Tyrell Harrison had 24 points and 10 rebounds, and he's the sort of big body who can make life hard for Kristian Doolittle inside.

The Bullets are 3-2 at home, and Perth fly home after this for Sunday's game against Cairns. We'll take Brisbane.

Betting tip: Brisbane Bullets.

Cairns Taipans vs Illawarra Hawks Prediction

Thursday, November 5, 7:30pm AEDT – Cairns Convention Centre

Fresh off a boilover in Perth, the Hawks head north.

Martin's 23 points sank Perth, and William Hickey filled the sheet with eight rebounds and eight assists. It was only Illawarra's third win in 11 games.

The problem is still at the other end. The Hawks have conceded 1,149 points this season, which is still more than 104 a night.

Cairns already know how to beat them. The Taipans won 110-100 in Wollongong on October 11, and they're 3-1 at home.

They'll want a response after United put 113 on them on Saturday, and the Hawks are a decent team to get it against. We're backing the Snakes.

Betting tip: Cairns Taipans.

Tasmania JackJumpers vs New Zealand Breakers Prediction

Friday, November 6, 7:30pm AEDT – Silverdome

The JackJumpers lost top spot on their own floor last Friday, going down 71-68 to Sydney in a grind.

They responded two days later with a 98-89 win over the Phoenix at John Cain Arena. Dakota Mathias had 22 points and six assists.

New Zealand, on the other hand, can't buy a win. They've lost four on the trot, including a 108-101 home loss to Adelaide and Monday's 20-point hiding in Melbourne.

Sam Mennenga is doing his bit, with 28 points against the Sixers, but the Breakers are 2-6 away from Auckland.

That road record is too hard to ignore. We're tipping the JackJumpers.

Betting tip: Tasmania JackJumpers.

Adelaide 36ers vs Illawarra Hawks Prediction

Saturday, November 7, 5:30pm AEDT – Adelaide Entertainment Centre

The Hawks have the wood on Adelaide this season, after a 114-92 thumping in Wollongong back on October 2.

But this is a very different job. Illawarra play in Cairns on Thursday night, then cross the country to Adelaide for a Saturday tip-off.

The Sixers do have a home problem. They're just 1-3 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, and Brisbane beat them there on Sunday.

Bryce Cotton isn't the problem, though. He had 31 points in Auckland and 27 points and nine assists against the Bullets.

With fresh legs and Cotton in this sort of form, we fancy the Sixers to get one back.

Betting tip: Adelaide 36ers.

Melbourne United vs Brisbane Bullets Prediction

Saturday, November 7, 7:30pm AEDT – John Cain Arena

United are starting to look like United again.

Back-to-back wins have them at 6-5, and the 94-74 win over the Breakers was a statement. They kept New Zealand to 74 points at John Cain Arena.

Oduro has been a monster in the paint. He had 43 points and 25 rebounds across the two games last round.

Brisbane are on their second game of the round, three days after hosting Perth, and Max Mackinnon sat out the win in Adelaide.

We reckon United will make it three straight.

Betting tip: Melbourne United.

Sydney Kings vs South East Melbourne Phoenix Prediction

Sunday, November 8, 3:00pm AEDT – Qudos Bank Arena

The Kings head home after a road trip that finished with two wins in three days on opposite sides of the country.

They're 4-2 at Qudos Bank Arena, and Davis averaged 22 points and nine assists across the two road wins.

The Phoenix only played once in Round 7, and it didn't go to plan. They lost 98-89 at home to Tasmania, despite 27 points from D'Shawn Schwartz.

South East Melbourne are also just 1-3 on the road.

Can the Phoenix pinch one in Sydney? We can't see it. We're sticking with the Kings.

Betting tip: Sydney Kings.

Perth Wildcats vs Cairns Taipans Prediction

Sunday, November 8, 5:00pm AEDT – RAC Arena

NBL Round 8 wraps up in the west, with both sides on their second game of the week.

Perth will be desperate to fix their home form after two straight losses at RAC Arena. Doolittle pulled down 15 rebounds against the Kings, and Dylan Windler had 19 points and nine rebounds against Illawarra.

Cairns have the tougher travel. They play at home on Thursday, then fly all the way to Perth.

The Taipans are 3-4 away from home this season, compared with 5-3 for the Wildcats at RAC Arena.

It's close, but we'll take the Wildcats to finish the round on a high.

Betting tip: Perth Wildcats.

*Odds are subject to change.