Perth Wildcats v Cairns Taipans NBL24 Round 7 Tips

The NBL 24 season could come to a head as the Perth Wildcats and the Cairns Taipans prepare to face each other in Round 7. Both teams have had a mixed bag of results so far, with the Wildcats sitting in sixth place and the Taipans in third. The bookies are favouring the Wildcats to win, but the Taipans have shown some resilience and could pull off an upset. Let’s look in detail why either team could get a closer look at their key players.

TLDR: The Wildcats are expected to win, but the Taipans could surprise them with their grit and determination.

Full Court Press

The Wildcats are currently struggling, while the Taipans are sitting pretty in third. The Wildcats have won their last four games, including a thrilling 85-84 victory over the Sydney Kings in Round 6. The Taipans have lost their last six games, including a 92-74 defeat to the Illawarra Hawks in Round 6.

The Wildcats have a strong advantage in scoring, rebounding and defence, while the Taipans have been plagued by injuries and inconsistency. The Wildcats will be led by their star duo of Bryce Cotton and John Mooney, who are averaging 23.5 and 18.2 points per game respectively. The Taipans will rely on their captain Scott Machado, who is averaging 16.8 points and 7.2 assists per game.

Why I think Perth could get up

Perth has the home court advantage, playing at the RAC Arena in front of their loyal fans. They have won all four of their home games so far, while Cairns has lost three out of four on the road.
Perth has a balanced and experienced roster, led by the reigning MVP Bryce Cotton, who is averaging 23.8 points per game. Cairns relies heavily on their import duo of Scott Machado and Cameron Oliver, who account for almost half of their team’s scoring.
Perth has a strong defensive identity, ranking second in the league in points allowed per game (79.8) and first in steals per game (9.3). Cairns struggles to contain their opponents, giving up 88.3 points per game (second-worst in the league) and allowing them to shoot 47.4% from the field (worst in the league).

The Perth Wildcats have a good chance to smash out a win over the Taipans in Round 7. They got the home court advantage, a balanced roster and superb defensive prowess. It’s going to be a tough and exciting game, but Perth could extend the surprise with a win.

Who to watch: Bryce Cotton

Position: Guard

Jersey #: 11

The reigning NBL MVP and three-time champion is the undisputed leader of the Wildcats. He averaged 23.5 points, 5.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game last season, and he has been on fire in the current campaign as well. He scored 36 points in the Wildcats’ 105-83 win over the Taipans last December, and he has a career average of 24.3 points against them. Watch out for his explosive scoring ability and clutch shooting in crunch time.

Why I think Cairns will get up

The Perth Wildcats are the reigning champions and the favourites to win the Round 7 game of NBL 24. But the Taipans have a chance to pull off an upset and claim a valuable victory. My main reasons why I think Cairns will get up:

The Taipans have a balanced and versatile roster, with players like Scott Machado, Majok Deng, and Kouat Noi who can score from inside and outside.
The Taipans have shown a great amount of resilience and improvement in their recent games. They’ve come close to beating the Sydney Kings and the Illawarra Hawks who are two of the top teams in the league.
The Taipans have the motivation to win. They’re currently floating around the bottom of the ladder and need to start climbing up if they want to make the playoffs.
The Wildcats may be overconfident and complacent, as they have won six of their seven games so far and may underestimate the Taipans.

The Taipans have a good chance to surprise the Perth Wildcats and win. It won’t be easy, but it is totally possible. I hope that they will play with passion and determination and prove me right. And in the end swing me some cash, as I’m going to back them with a medium sized bet.

Who to watch: Scott Machado

Position: point Guard

Jersey #: 10

The Brazilian-American playmaker is the engine of the Taipans’ offence, leading the league in assists with 9.4 per game. He also averages 16.7 points and 4.3 rebounds, making him a triple-double threat on any given night. He has a great chemistry with Cam Oliver, who he often finds for alley-oops and open threes. Machado was instrumental in Cairns’ win over Perth in the play-in game, scoring 24 points and dishing out 12 assists . Watch out for his court vision and leadership skills.

What do the bookies say?

According to the latest odds from various betting sites, the Wildcats are the clear favourites to win the game, with an average price of $1.36, while the Taipans are the underdogs, with an average price of $3.25. Here the main odds:

Bet365: Perth Wildcats $1.36, Cairns Taipans $3.10
Ladbrokes: Perth Wildcats $1.40, Cairns Taipans $3.00
Betfair: Perth Wildcats $1.38, Cairns Taipans $3.25
Sporstbet: Perth Wildcats $1.33, Cairns Taipans $3.40

The bookies seem to favour the Wildcats I reckon based on their recent form. They’ve got a superior record against the Taipans and their star duo of Bryce Cotton with John Mooney. The Taipans will need to rely on their three-point shooting and their dynamic pair of Cam Oliver and Scott Machado to cause an upset.

The Bottom Line

The Perth Wildcats and the Cairns Taipans are both in good form and have a chance to win the Round 7 NBL 24 game.

The bookies are favouring the Wildcats, who have a stronger defence and a more balanced offence. However, the Taipans are not to be underestimated, as they have a dynamic backcourt and a versatile frontcourt. The game could be decided by a few key factors, such as turnovers, rebounds and free throws.

If you’re cautious, my recommendation would be to bet on the Wildcats, but only with a small stake and a reasonable expectation. I’m going on the Taipans just to be different.

Disclaimer: Online sports betting is a risky activity and should be done responsibly and legally. There is no guarantee of winning or losing, and the outcome of the game may depend on unpredictable factors. Always gamble with care and moderation and only with what you can afford to lose.