NBL Preview: Boomers legend Chris Anstey runs the rule over the week’s match ups

Mitch McCarron’s first meeting with former club Melbourne United and Matthew Dellavedova is set to be overshadowed by the league’s best shooter. ROUND PREVIEW

Towering Aussie Chris Anstey has seen it all in the NBA and NBL.

The former Australian Boomers centre takes a look at the week’s hoops action and gives his predictions.

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Chris Goulding is due a big game.

Adelaide 36ers vMelbourne United

The pre-game discussion will centre around Adelaide’s Mitch McCarron taking on the man who replaced him at Melbourne United – NBA championship-winning guard Matthew Dellavedova.

According to Anstey, though, United sharpshooter Chris Goulding is poised to upstage them all following a quiet offensive performance last round.

Goulding only had nine points, including one of seven from range, in a win over Illawarra and he’ll be primed to respond.

“I just don’t think that Goulding is going to have two single-figure games in a row,” Anstey said.

“I’m tipping him to have a big one and for United to have a little bit too much firepower for the 36ers.”

Cameron Bairstow and Mitch McCarron will be key for the 36ers.

Anstey expects the 36ers to be competitive, especially if guard Mitch McCarron and big man Cam Bairstow continue the form they displayed in Tuesday’s upset win over Perth.

“I was really impressed with McCarron,” he said.

“As much as anything I was impressed that he came down and the court and aggressively looked to be a scorer, and that helped to free up his teammates.

“I was also really impressed Cam Bairstow with his ability to put that big body of his on the front of the rim.”

The 36ers finish with an away clash against Illawarra on Monday and Anstey is tipping the Hawks to have too much firepower.

Time: Saturday, Jan 22 from 5.30pm (AEDT) and Live on ESPN and Kayo

Anstey’s pick: United over 36ers and Hawks over 36ers

Brisbane Bullets v Sydney Kings

Brisbane can emerge as a genuine championship bolter is they can take care of business in two games against the Sydney Kings this weekend.

That is Chris Anstey’s view of a Bullets side loaded with talent, lead by its Big Three in Lamar Patterson, Nathan Sobey and Robert Franks.

Nathan Sobey has the ability to torch the Kings this weekend.

Anstey is particularly high on star guard, Sobey, who he believes will torch the Kings on the offensive end.

“Sobey is one of the best Australian players in the NBL,” Anstey said.

“He is as quick as anyone up the floor in the league and he pressures the rim as well as anyone in the league when he is in an aggressive mindset.

“The Bullets really need to rubber stamp their last win over the Phoenix and win again if they are going to be the type of team that sneaks up on a finals spot.”

Sydney then hosts the Bullets on Sunday in what is shaping as a season-defining game for the men from the Harbour City.

Anstey can’t see the Kings rising above the uncertainty of life without import guard RJ Hunter following his season-ending knee injury and who is selected to replace him.

“And for those reasons, the Bullets are a better basketball team at the moment,” he said.

“I also don’t think that home court in Sydney matters that much.”

Time: Friday, Jan 21 from 7.30pm (AEDT) and Live on ESPN and Kayo

Sunday, Jan 23 from 1pm (AEDT) and Live on ESPN, 10Peach and Kayo

Anstey’s picks: Bullets over the Kings in both games

Illawarra Hawks v Perth Wildcats

The league’s best player – Perth guard Bryce Cotton – is coming off a quiet game in a loss.

This would normally mean disaster for any NBL team, but not the Illawarra Hawks, according to Anstey.

Bryce Cotton and the Wildcats face a huge test against the Hawks.

He thinks the Hawks’ length and athleticism in the back-court can help them keep Cotton quiet for a second consecutive game.

“I know Goorj will always say it’s the closest man back defensively and they will switch any of their long and athletic back-court players onto Cotton,” Anstey said.

“Cotton will be Illawarra’s absolute focus. He had a very quiet game in Adelaide, and he will be looking to get going.

“I look forward to seeing what Bryce’s mindset looks like against a very good defensive outfit in the Hawks, but I think the Hawks will have too many bodies to throw at Cotton.

“I’ll tip the Hawks in a close one.”

Time: Saturday, Jan 22 from 8pm (AEDT) and Live on ESPN and Kayo

Anstey’s picks: Hawks over Wildcats

Tasmania JackJumpers vSouth East Melbourne Phoenix

South East Melbourne would have copped an almighty spray from coach Simon Mitchell after losing to Brisbane by 16 points last round.

For that reason alone, Anstey expects the Phoenix to come out firing against the JackJumpers.

“I think the interesting thing here will be how much the Phoenix win by,” Anstey said.

“They are coming off a very disappointing loss and coach Mitchell is known to give his team a rocket behind closed doors.

“He is extraordinarily supportive as a coach, but I can only imagine his messaging after that Brisbane loss.

Phoenix coach Simon Mitchell will have given his side a rocket. Picture: Getty Images

“They’ll have too much depth and talent for Tassie. A lot of players need to step, and I think they will.”

Anstey sees the Phoenix rounding out the round with another win over Cairns on Tuesday.

Time: Sunday, Jan 23 from 5.30pm and Live on ESPN and Kayo

Tuesday, Jan 25 from 7.30pm and Live on ESPN and Kayo

Anstey’s pick: Phoenix over JackJumpers and Taipans

Brisbane Bullets v Melbourne United

Both teams possess plenty of scoring strike across the board, but Melbourne United’s defence and depth could prove the difference.

D3️⃣LLY WENT OFF

33 PTS | 7 3PM | 4 REB | 8 AST pic.twitter.com/KOP5xV6X4A

— Melbourne United (@MelbUnited) January 17, 2022

Anstey believes the Bullets would need a blinder from Sobey, Patterson or Franks to have any chance of beating a United side loaded with talent.

“It’s interesting when you watch United, coach Dean Vickerman has so much depth at his deposal that sometimes you blink, and he has made another rotation,” Anstey said.

“I’m a generation ago, but I still wonder how the players play so well offensively when they are playing in such short spurts.

“That is the only difficulty for United – is finding minutes for everyone and allowing them to get into the game, but what a luxury that is as a coach.”

Time: Wednesday, Jan 26 from 3pm (AEDT) and Live on ESPN and Kayo

Anstey’s pick: United

Anstey’s NBL multi: – Phoenix over JackJumpers, United over 36ers and Breakers over Taipans