Melbourne United vs. South East Melbourne Phoenix Prediction, Tips & Odds – Dec. 15, 2022 09:30 CET
Melbourne United take on their cross-town rivals on Thursday afternoon at the John Cain Arena in the final Throwdown game of the NBL23 regular season.
We found the best odds for this game at the popular Bet365 sportsbook. You will get an attractive Welcome Bonus for all newly registered customers if you register today. Check our article if you wonder how to claim this Bet365 Welcome Bonus.
Melbourne United Team News
With a full roster at their disposal, Melbourne United fought hard against Perth but once again came up short. Melbourne´s fans and supporters simply have to reconcile with the fact their team has certain limits this year and doesn´t have the necessary quality to fight for the top.
They can make all the adjustments they want along with putting in extra effort in practice, but the NBL is an unforgiving league at the highest level and they have been feeling the full effect of these words lately.
Whoever has the best imports, will most likely win the title. It´s that simple, so United have to do a much better job recruiting in the upcoming offseason and use the remaining games to at least make the playoffs to save what´s left from their shattered reputation.
South East Melbourne Phoenix Team News
The form and the hype surrounding the Melbourne Phoenix this season has been in stark contrast to their fierce rivals. After a slow start, the Phoenix are now boasting a formidable lineup with four imports, which makes them one of the main threats to Sydney and New Zealand in the playoffs.
The Hawks and the 36ers felt the full force of the Phoenix recently, but an undermanned United managed to hold their own ten days ago. The Melbourne Phoenix were still without their moneyman Qi Zhou in that game, who had two excellent performances after returning from injury.
Melbourne United vs. South East Melbourne Phoenix Prediction
The Phoenix will have a new presence in their frontcourt compared to last time these teams met, but United are desperate at this point and actually had a pretty good game at the RAC Arena despite losing.
United were shorthanded in the previous Throwdown clash, but now have two very important role players and players who can control the tempo of the game back. The coaching staff is hoping the presence of Shea Ili and Isaac Humphries will get them over the line this time, so we decided to give Melbourne United one last roll of the dice.
Kick-off time: Thursday, 15.12.2022 09:30 CET
Prediction: Melbourne United (+5.5)
Odds: 1.85
Sportsbook: bet365
