NBL1 Finals Weekend Preview: August 3-6

The NBL1 Conference Finals continue this weekend across the country, the NBL1 West Semi-Finals start tonight while the NBL1 North’s Grand Final Series starts on Friday night.

2023 NBL1 CONFERENCE FINALS EXPLAINED

Catch the NBL1 Finals Live & Free via NBL1.com.au, NBL1 App and Kayo Freebies.

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With Finals games taking place across the country, here are some key games you can lock into from each conference this weekend Live & Free via Kayo Freebies.

(Men’s) Semi-Final: Canberra Gunners vs Maitland Mustangs

Where to watch: Saturday, 7:30pm AEST streaming Live & Free via Kayo Freebies

Who to watch for the Canberra Gunners: The 2022 Finals MVP will look to back up his massive performance in the Grand Final rematch on Saturday. Glenn Morison is too big and too strong and we’ll see if the Mustangs can stop him this time round. 

Who to watch for the Maitland Mustang: William Cranston-Lown has been the team’s go-to guy and this Saturday will be a test to see if he can overwhelm the reigning NBL1 East Defensive Player of the Year James Toohey. 

(Men’s) Preliminary Final: West Adelaide Bearcats vs Sturt Sabres

Where to watch: Saturday, 7:30pm ACST streaming Live & Free via Kayo Freebies

Who to watch for the West Adelaide Bearcats: The x-factor for the Bearcats will be young forward Lachlan Olbrich. If he can produce like he did all season when the pressure is on, the Bearcats should advance.

Who to watch for the Sturt Sabres: The League MVP, Jordan Forbes, will be ready to face off against the NBL-stacked Bearcats. Forbes has the confidence and the scoring to make this a massive upset.  

(Women’s) Preliminary Final: Bendigo Braves vs Mount Gambier Pioneers 

Where to watch: Saturday, 6:00pm AEST streaming Live & Free via Kayo Freebies

Who to watch for the Bendigo Braves: Competition assist leader Kelly Wilson has turned back the clock for multiple triple-double performances in 2023. The leader of the undefeated team will have to keep the Braves motivated and ready for the Pioneers. 

Who to watch for the Mount Gambier: Canadian national team player Cassandra Brown has a mighty task ahead of her to guard Megan McKay. If she can limit McKay and still get her own buckets, the Pioneers are a strong chance to hand Bendigo their first loss of the season.

(Men’s) Preliminary Final Mount Gambier Pioneers vs Knox Raiders

Where to watch: Friday, 8:00pm AEST streaming Live & Free via Kayo Freebies

Who to watch for the Knox Raiders: Former G-League player Wayne Stewart Jr. has been a revelation for the Raiders this season, averaging 19 points per game, and the forward will have to score in bunches on the road to move onto the NBL1 South Grand Final. 

Who to watch for the Mount Gambier Pioneers: The season is on the line and the Pioneers have a massive home-court advantage with the Friday night tip-off in Mount Gambier. If Nick Marshall starts off hot, the Pioneers will be well on their way to back-to-back Grand Final appearances. 

(Women’s) Grand Final Series: Northside Wizards vs Rockhampton Cyclones 

Where to watch: Friday 7:00pm, Saturday 7:00pm and Sunday 1:00pm AEST, streaming Live & Free via Kayo Freebies

Who to watch for the Rockhampton Cyclones: The x-factor in the series will be AJ Johnson, the athletic two-way threat who has the chance to cause issues on both ends for the Wizards

Who to watch for the Northside Wizards: The 2023 NBL1 North MVP will be ready to bring her home club a championship as Courtney Woods has carried the Wizards to this point and has shown no signs of slowing down. 

MVP doing MVP things ?

Courtney Woods has 2??2?? at half-time ?

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(Men’s) Grand Final Series: Gold Coast Rollers vs Ipswich Force

Where to watch: Friday 7:30pm, Saturday 7:30pm and Sunday 3:00pm AEST, streaming Live & Free via Kayo Freebies

Who to watch for the Ipswich Force: Jaylin Galloway is fresh off a Summer League stint, and will be ready to back up his claims that Ipswich is the “most talented” team in the league. 

Jaylin Galloway is confident in his Ipswich Force ahead of the @NBL1North Grand Finals Series ?

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Who to watch for the Gold Coast Rollers: The 2023 NBL1 North MVP Jason Cadee has been crowned the “King of the NBL1”, and has the chance to back up that claim with back-to-back titles for Gold Coast. 

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(Men’s) Preliminary Finals: Rockingham Flames vs TBD

The NBL1 West Game of the Week will take place on Saturday, with the winners of the Semi-Finals going on to take on the reigning champions, the Rockingham Flames. 

Who will advance, the Willetton Tigers or the Joondalup Wolves? Watch Live & Free on Saturday, 7:00pm AWST Live & Free via Kayo Freebies