NBL Basketball / Nick Tedeschi / 20 November 2009 / Leave a comment Bet Now

The Melbourne Tigers may have a star-studded line-up but they are coming last for a simple reason: they are not playing as a team, writes Nick Tedeschi

The Melbourne Tigers should be sitting atop the NBL ladder. They are a virtual NBL all-star team with Mark Worthington, Sam Mackinnon, Luke Kendall and Nathan Crosswell all starting the season along with Julius Hodge joining the team recently. Skipper Chris Anstey has been out for the entire season thus far but is expected back soon.

Somehow the Tigers have only won three of ten matches though and they sit last on the league ladder. Their prospects don't appear to be getting any brighter even if Anstey does come back.

The reason is simple: the Tigers are playing without enthusiasm, structure or direction. Big name recruit Mark Worthington has been terribly disappointing with his inside game dropping away markedly. Sam Mackinnon looks a shadow of his former self after being forced to miss significant time with a knee injury and a blood clot over the last three seasons. Luke Kendall continues is putting up terrible shots and refusing to play defence. Hodge is a great individual player but it is doubtful he can give the Tigers the direction they require.

At $2.70 on Betfair, the Melbourne Tigers are clearly a lay. Considering their current position, they may struggle to make the playoffs so betting them at $2.70 would seem to be somewhat of a reach.

The two teams to beat this year are the New Zealand Breakers and the Perth Wildcats.

The Breakers are currently 5-5 in fifth position but their season will swing on star shooting guard Kirk Penney, who has played only three matches this season. Penney is the best player in the NBL, a lights out shooter and sharp passer. He should be back by early December and if the Breakers can hang around the playoff edge until then, Penney will push a team that contains C.J Bruton to greater heights.

The Breakers are rated a $4.0 chance at present. They are legitimate title hopes.

The other top title contender is Perth. The Wildcats have a nicely built team with Shawn Redhage, Luke Schenscher, Mario Cattalini and Brad Robbins all among the best in the NBL. Redhage is averaging over 17 points per game while Schenscher is scoring and slamming the boards. If they can get Paul Rogers right then they run deep and will be very hard to stop at the business end of the year.

Try the Wildcats at better than $4.25.

The best team to try at odds is Townsville. The Crocs can be supported at $7.50 or better. "Homicide" Williams is one of the most dominant players in the NBL and with Brad Williamson and Russell Hinder drilling them from outside, they can take it to any team.