NBL Playoffs Tips & Predictions

<p>Then there were four. The Play-ins have run their course and now it’s Playoffs time. The Perth Wildcats, Tasmania JackJumpers, Illawarra Hawks and Melbourne United are the last franchises standing in the NBL this season.</p> <p>Each side will now participate in a best of three series to see who advances to the NBL Finals.</p> <p>Top dogs Melbourne United will do battle with Illawarra, while Perth and Tassie go toe-to-toe in the other Playoff series.</p> <p>Who will move on to the big dance? Check out our expert NBL Playoffs tips and predictions for the latest news, odds, and analysis for both matchups.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne United vs Illawarra Hawks Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, March 7, 7:30pm AEDT – John Cain Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Melbourne United will host the Illawarra Hawks in the first game of their series at John Cain Arena.</p> <p>The Hawks have arrived at this point of the season in odd fashion. They mounted a late season charge to force themselves into the top four and earn a second life in the finals.</p> <p>Luckily they did, because they lost their opening game of the NBL finals to the JackJumpers.</p> <p>Their second chance game came against the Breakers who they ultimately defeated, just. Now they face top of the pile Melbourne United.</p> <p>Due to their unorthodox run, there is a feeling that this Hawks’ side could be Australia’s version of the Miami Heat, but who is their Jimmy Butler?</p> <p>American point guard Justin Robinson seems to be the most likely candidate. The 26-year-old has put up decent numbers throughout the season but decided to really put the hammer down in their do-or-die clash with the Breakers earlier this week.</p> <p>He top scored for the match with 26 points, helping his side to a nail-biting three-point victory over the Kiwis.</p> <p>Taking down top seed Melbourne United is a different proposition though, but that’s what everyone said about the Bucks in the NBA and the Heat saw them off in style.</p> <p>While it is definitely wise to wager on United who have held top spot for most of the season and recently beat the Hawks in the final week of the regular season, we are sure the Illawarra boys will at least take this to three.</p> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Melbourne United to win in three.</p>

<h2>Perth Wildcats vs Tasmania JackJumpers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, March 8, 8:30pm AEDT – RAC Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>This matchup between the Wildcats and the JackJumpers is certain to be one of the spectacles of the season.</p> <p>Perth have a 2-1 H2H record against Tassie this season, but in their most recent encounter, which took place on the final week of the regular season, it was the JackJumpers who came up trumps.</p> <p>The Playoffs are what the big players live for and there is no bigger player in the NBL at the moment or maybe ever, than Perth’s Bryce Cotton.</p> <p>The American megastar just claimed his fourth MVP award, meaning only the man who the award is named after, Andrew Gaze, has more.</p> <p>Tasmania aren’t without their own superstars, with Aussie Jack McVeigh in a rich vein of form.</p> <p>Both he and Cotton are sure to take their battle to the scoreboard in what will most likely become a shootout for the ages.</p> <p>If this series doesn’t require the full three games to decide a winner we will be shocked. Ultimately though, we have to side with Cotton and the Wildcats.</p> <p>They’re the most successful franchise in NBL history, with 10 championships, but it’s been a minute since they had their hands on the trophy.</p> <p>We’re tipping them to take a step closer to title number 11 and book their place in the Championship Series off the back of some Bryce brilliance.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Perth in three.</p>