Jason Collins
Dailysports's expert
Perth Wildcats
South East Melbourne Phoenix
The NBL regular season is over, and now the league's top teams battle it out in the playoffs. The first matchup features the Perth Wildcats against South East Melbourne Phoenix. Here’s my prediction for this thrilling encounter.
Perth Wildcats
Perth finished second in the NBL regular season, just one win behind the top seed. The team had an impressive campaign, winning 18 of their 29 games.
In their last game, the Wildcats secured a 112-104 home victory over Adelaide, with Bryce Cotton delivering a sensational 49-point performance. Given that this is a single-elimination game, home-court advantage is a significant factor. The team is in solid form, having closed the regular season with three consecutive wins.
South East Melbourne Phoenix
South East Melbourne also had a strong season, finishing fourth with a 16-13 record, edging out Sydney for a playoff spot based on tiebreakers.
In their last outing, they lost a hard-fought Melbourne Derby against United (93-103), with the game tied heading into the fourth quarter. However, their form down the stretch was inconsistent, suffering three defeats in their final five games.
Match facts
- Perth won 10 of their 15 home games this season.
- South East Melbourne recorded only 6 wins in 15 road games.
- Betting odds: Perth – 1.54 | South East Melbourne – 2.47.
Key player
Bryce Cotton is the man to watch. Averaging over 28 points per game this season, he could be the decisive factor in this contest.
Head-to-head
These teams faced each other four times this season, with Perth winning three of those meetings. Notably, in every game, the home team emerged victorious.
Prediction
On paper, Perth is the favorite, benefiting from home-court advantage and a superior head-to-head record. However, this is a high-stakes playoff battle where anything can happen. Both teams will be highly motivated, making for an intense contest.
Bookmakers expect a high-scoring affair, but I’m taking a risk and betting on under 202.5 total points, as the pressure of a knockout game could lead to a more defensive battle.
