Australian SEABL Ballarat vs Nunawading Preview and Prediction

Date/Time:  07-28-2017, 05:30 EST

Spread: Nunawading -5.5

Total: +175.5

In this first rounder of the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) playoffs, the top-seeded in SEABL East Nunawading Spectres (15-5), who are looking to extend their current winning streak, are hosting the second-seeded in SEABL South Ballarat Miners (13-7), who want to turn their latest victory into a streak.  

Nunawading Spectres finished the regular season with a 15-5 record and were placed first in the SEABL East. They have three consecutive wins and in their last game they won at home against Bendigo with an 80-69 score. They are led in scoring by Thomas Wright with 19.4 ppg, adding 4.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. He is followed by Simon Conn with 19.1 ppg and a team high 8.1 rebounds per game, while Dain Swetalla adds 11.8 ppg and 6.8 rebounds per game.

Top Basketball Bookmakers

Ballarat Miners finished the regular season with a 13-7 record and were placed second in the SEABL South. They have won three of their last four matches and in their last game they won at home against Diamond Valley with a 66-76 score. They are led in scoring by Peter Hooley with 21.1 ppg, adding 3.8 rebounds and a team high 5 assists per game. He is followed by Davon Usher with 18.1 ppg and 3 rebounds per game, while Marvin King-Davis adds 14.2 ppg and 7.7 rebounds per game.

Ballarat have won both previous meetings against Nunawading in the regular season. At home with an 89-80 score and on the road with a 93-100 score. Nunawading have an 8-2 home record so far this season, while Ballarat are 7-3 on the road. Ballarat are better offensively, scoring 90.9 ppg to Nunawading’s 88.8, while Nunawading are better defensively, allowing 80.3 ppg to Ballarat’s 87.1. Nunawading have better percentages both in 2-pointers, shooting with 54.4% to Ballarat’s 49.5% and in 3-pointers, shooting with 34.4% to Ballarat’s 33.9%. They are also better in assists made, with 19.8 to Ballarat’s 18.7 and in turnovers committed (10.4 to 14.7), while Ballarat are better in rebounding, grabbing 40.9 to Nunawading’s 37.5. Nunawading are better on paper but Ballarar have won them both times this season. Vegas odds give Nunawading a -5.5 spread but don’t expect them to beat the odds and pick Ballarat for the win.

Ballarat vs Nunawading Prediction: Ballarat +5.5 (-118)