NBL23 Round 2
| Date. | Time. | Home Team. | Away Team. | Location |
| Thu 6 Oct | 19:30 AEDT | Illawarra Hawks. | SE Melbourne Phoenix | WIN Entertainment Centre |
| Fri 7 Oct | 17:30 AEDT | NZ Breakers. | Tasmania JackJumpers | Spark Arena |
| Fri 7 Oct | 19:30 AEDT | Sydney Kings. | Brisbane Bullets. | Qudos Bank Arena |
| Sat 8 Oct | 17:30 AEDT | SE Melbourne Phoenix | Cairns Taipans. | John Cain Arena |
| Sat 8 Oct | 20:00 AEDT | Perth Wildcats | Illawarra Hawks. | RAC Arena |
| Sun 9 Oct | 14:00 AEDT | Tasmania JackJumpers | Brisbane Bullets | MyState Bank Arena |
| Sun 9 Oct | 16:00 AEDT | Melbourne United. | Sydney Kings | John Cain Arena |
| Mon 10 Oct | 19:30 AEDT | Cairns Taipans. | Perth Wildcats | Cairns Convention Centre |
I missed some picks in round 1 but I think the NBL blitz may have given a bad reference for how players will perform this season. No one could hit a shot at the Blitz and if that was due to the rims, the heat or the giant fans in the arena in Darwin I don't know, but players who looked average there are looking like stars on their home courts. I think you can throw an analysis made at the blitz out the window going into the season.
Illawarra Hawks vs SE Melb Phoenix Thursday 6th Oct
The SE Melb phoenix had a great start getting a solid win over the 2nd place Tasmania Jackjumpers in round one, off the back of some phenomenal basketball from Kyle Adnam who dropped a 30 piece in the opening game!
I can not see Adnam following up that performance against the Illawarra Hawks, who suffered a tough loss to the Sydney Kings in Round 1. Mitch Creek played his all round solid game but never looked to take over as he often does. I think he is still not 100% healthy but still a good player. The Hawks looked to struggle to get their offence going at times against the Kings but I think they will turn that around and watch out for Tyler Harvey to have a big game after a quieter round 1. I am excited to see if Kyle Adnam can back up his shooting from game 1, hopefully his shoulder didn't carry any injury through to this week.
I've got Hawks by 6.
New Zealand Breakers vs Tasmania Jackjumpers Friday 7th Oct
New Zealand went down to Melbourne United by 4 points in round 1 but are looking pretty strong despite that. While the Jackjumpers suffered back to back losses in Round 1 to the SE Melb Phoenix and the Cairns Taipans. I think New Zealand should get the win in their home court but Tasmania will want to at least see it competitive after the big loss to Cairns. (22 points)
New Zealand 8 points
Sydney Kings vs Brisbane Bullets Friday 7th Oct
Sydney had a good win against the Illawarra Hawks with their new imports really stepping up to make some statement plays. I think this will be a good close game and tough to pick. Watch out for Xavier Cooks to start to find his feet and attack more often. He Started to look comfortable getting to the basket with ease late in the game in round 1. Brisbane need to find Baynes more often inside to utilise him more on offence and he needs to stay out of foul trouble for Brisbane to pull off a win. Cooks may attack him early to create that foul trouble for Baynes which will spell trouble for Brisbane. With Sobey still no where near 100% I don't think Brisbane have the fire power to keep up with Sydney.
Sydney by 5.
SE Melbourne Phoenix vs Cairns Taipans Saturday 8th Oct
Cairns Taipans had a big win over the Tasmania Jackjumpers who had a very competitive match against the Phoenix. I wasn't impressed with Cairns after the Blitz but I think round 1 has shown shooting was not realistic at the Blitz and Cairns could surprise people with the amount of shooting they have.
Along with the Phoenix playing two games this round and Creek still not 100% I've got Cairns to take the home win.
Cairns by 11
Perth Wildcats Vs Illawarra Hawks Sat 8th Oct
Second game in two days for the hawks against a well rested and at Home Perth wildcats team is a tough ask for the Hawks. Bryce Cotton looked his MVP best in game 1. I cant see them dropping this one. It really is amazing how consistent Cotton has been over his NBL career. As well scouted and known he is in the league and is still unstoppable!
Perth by 12
JackJumpers vs Brisbane Bullets Sunday 9th Oct
Both teams are on their second game of the round and both will be looking for what may be their first win. Brisbane have the roster to and the power forwards to really push Tasmania inside. Hopefully Baynes will have a big game and can carry Brisbane to a win.
Brisbane by 8
Melbourne United vs Sydney Kings Sunday 9th Oct
This is a marque match up for the weekend with two teams coming off of strong wins in the first round. Very tough to call with both teams looking like they have found some very talented imports to combine with their MVP calibre local talent. If Xavier cooks can shut down Raion Tucker and someone can slow down Chris Goulding I think Sydney should win. But with both teams being able to shoot the lights out I think whoever plays better defense will win it. Should be a barn burner of a match!
Sydney by 2
Cairns Taipans vs Perth Wildcats Monday 10th Oct
Cairns are team that will probably win or lose big. They have selected a hot shooting team where is the shots aren’t dropping it will be a long night. Perth are well rounded and may have some troubles getting buckets if Bryce Cotton isn’t carrying the team. I should probably pic Perth for the safe bet but I’ll go Cairns to shoot the lights and get the win.
Cairns by 4
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