Franklin Bulls vs Bay Hawks: Analysis and Prediction – Franklin Bulls will play a 15th round NBL NZ game against the Bay Hawks.
Franklin Bulls vs Bay Hawks Odds
Franklin Bulls vs Bay Hawks (1/2): 1.04 / 8.49
Asian Handicap (-14.5 / +14.5): 1.93 / 1.91
Total Over/Under (188.5): 1.87 / 1.94
Franklin Bulls Team News
The Franklin Bulls have been very inconsistent lately. After winning three consecutive matches including a huge upset victory away from home against the Wellington Saints, they have lost three games in a row. That means they currently sit in fifth place in the standings with a 10-7 record.
By losing their last three consecutive games, the Bulls have likely given up any hope to host a home playoffs game. Even though they were facing heavily shorthanded Taranaki Airs and Auckland Tuatara, Franklin failed to fire and lost both games including an upset loss on the road against the Whai Tauranga. For today´s game the Bulls will still be without their perimeter shooter Ethan Rusbatch due to international duty and they might also be without their American import and best scorer Luther Muhammad, who is questionable due to a foot injury. Muhammad´s absence would be a huge blow to the Bulls aspirations, but even if he doesn´t play Franklin will enter the match as favourites.
The size of the Bulls should keep the Hawks in check even if they miss their top scorer Luther Muhammad. Franklin still has an outside shot at achieving home court advantage in the playoffs, but a win today is a necessity for that, so the Bulls will have to come out strong and turn their poor form around.
Bay Hawks Team News
After narrowly beating the Southland Sharks a month ago, the Bay Hawks have entered a slump and have lost their last four consecutive games by double-digits. Their playoff hopes have almost been extinguished as they currently sit in ninth place with a 6-11 record.
Without Jordan Ngatai, who will still be out for today´s game, the Bay Hawks have been dreadful recently. They have lost four consecutive games by double-digits conceding 100+ points in three of them, so their form is very concerning heading into today´s matchup. In order to rekindle their postseason hopes, Hawks best scorer Isaiah Moore will try to push the pace at a level that will make the Bulls uncomfortable, but in order to pull off an upset the Bay Hawks will also need Keanu Rasmussen and Luke Sutherland to fire on all cylinders.
The Hawks are still dealing with the absence of Jordan Ngatai due to international duty, but the Bulls also have their absence woes as Rusbatch is out and they could potentially be without their best scorer. That gives a good fighting chance to the struggling Hawks side, whose postseason hopes will be ended with a loss this Thursday.
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Franklin Bulls vs Bay Hawks H2H
In the first head-to-head clash a month and a half ago, the Franklin Bulls smashed the shorthanded Bay Hawks on the road by 22 points (101:79).
Absences and Injuries
The Franklin Bulls will be without Ethan Rusbatch, while Luther Muhammad is questionable. On the other hand, the Bay Hawks will be without Jordan Ngatai.
Franklin Bulls vs Bay Hawks Prediction
The Franklin Bulls will be without Ethan Rusbatch and potentially their best scorer Luther Muhammad, who will be a gametime decision. On the other hand, the Hawks are still without Ngatai, but need to play with a sense of urgency as their postseason hopes are hanging by a thread. Since the Bulls are in very poor form and might enter today´s contest heavily shorthanded, we opted for the Bay Hawks to cover the spread.
Tip-off Time: Wednesday, 03.07.2024. 09:30 CET
Prediction: Bay Hawks +15
Odds: 1.80
Sportsbook: 22Bet
*Odds are active at the time the article is published
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