NBL – Cairns Taipans v New Zealand Breakers

Posted on January 22, 2016 | Posted by Sportsbettingmax.com

Saturday January 23, 4.30 PM (WST), Cairns Convention Centre

Will the Breakers road trip go from bad to worse when they play the Taipans in Cairns on Saturday night?

Game rating – Cairns 78 v New Zealand 82

What has happened to the once powerful team from the Shaky Isles?  They now sit fifth on the ladder, one game and percentage behind the Adelaide 36 ers and must sit, watch and hope that Melbourne United can defeat the team from Adelaide on Friday to keep their playoff chances alive.  Since being beaten at home by Illawarra in Round 11, the Breakers have lost 6 of 7 games and if their performance against the Crocs on Thursday night is anything to go by, their next win is a long way off.

Now they must play Cairns the team that humbled them (73-66) on New Year’s Eve.  They are coming off a busy schedule which included a double header last week with a double OT loss to the Hawks, followed by this road trip to Far North Queensland.  Cairns couldn’t match Melbourne in both games last week but if they regroup knowing their playoffs dreams are dashed, they can defeat the Breakers again in this match.

Prediction

New Zealand appear dispirited and not interested in playing basketball to the standard that can win matches in the NBL.  They are leaking defensively and in the offence they have averaged only 77 points per game, since losing to Illawarra in Round 11. Maybe they are shot physically but it is too hard to see them turning it around against Cairns in this match

Suggested Bets

Option 1 – Cairns to win at $1.90

Option 2- Game Total UNDER (provided the mark is set no lower than 160.5)

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