NBL1 Finals Preview: August 1 - 4

With all four conferences hosting Semi and Preliminary Finals, make sure to check out the must-watch game in each conference! 

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The NBL1 West will host its Semi Finals on Thursday and Friday night, with the Preliminary Finals determined by those results. Check NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App for all the fixtures this weekend. 

The NBL1 North Grand Finals Series starts on Friday, continuing into Saturday and if required on Sunday. Check out the preview for both the women's and men's series here. 

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 Friday, Semi Final: Mandurah Magic vs Goldfields Giants 

Streaming live from 8:00pm AWST

Last season the Magic and Giants had a combined nine wins. In 2024, they have both advanced to the Semi Final and after Friday night, one team will go one step closer to a championship. 

Mandurah features the NBL1 West MVP Joel Murray, who is coming off a 42-point game in the Preliminary Final, while Goldfields has a dynamic duo of De’Sean Parsons and Randy Bell, averaging 49.5 points combined. 

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It’s a coin flip on who will win this game, but what is guaranteed is it’ll be one of the most entertaining games of the season. 

Saturday, Preliminary Final: Canberra Gunners vs Sydney Comets 

Streaming live from 8:00pm AEST

It’s chemistry vs talent, as the core of local Canberra juniors will face off against NBL1 East MVP contender Biwali Bayles and co-star Obi Kyei.

Sitting on top of the ladder at the end of the regular season with an 18-2 record, the Gunners look destined to make their second Grand Final in three years. On the other hand, Bayles has been in the form of his career – averaging 30 points for the season and 34.5 in the NBL1 East Finals. 

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Can the Comets head down the highway and surprise both the states of NSW and the ACT? Or will Canberra advance to make history? 

Saturday, Preliminary Final: Sturt Sabres vs Forestville Eagles

Streaming live from 6:00pm ACST 

With their third-straight Grand Final appearance up for grabs, the Sturt Sabres are verging on history –but Forestville will not go down without a fight. 

Sitting second and third on the ladder respectively, the penultimate games of the season will decide who faces the Central Districts Lions next Saturday.

With significant injuries on both sides, look for Madison Freer to take her game to another level. The winner of the Merv Harris Medal (Women's U23 award) will be the team’s go-to scorer and has the talent to carry her Eagles past the Sabres on Saturday night. 

 Saturday, Preliminary Final: Frankston Blues vs Eltham Wildcats 

Streaming live from 7:30pm AEST 

For the first time in the club’s SEABL or NBL1 history, the Eltham Wildcats have made the Preliminary Finals. With the likes of Angus Glover and Owen Foxwell, the Wildcats have emerged as a title contender and will have to get past the dominant Frankston Blues on Saturday night. 

With Co-MVP Daniel Trist, sharpshooter Lachlan Barker and Lucas Barker, the Blues are stacked from top to bottom and have been a powerhouse all season with a 15-7 regular season record.

Can the Wildcats make history? Or will Frankston advance to the Grand Final?  

Angus Glover was in his bag ?

32 points and 5?? triples to get the Thursday night win ?

Tune in tomorrow Live & Free via https://t.co/NEk1I7kaV8, NBL1 App and Kayo Freebies ? pic.twitter.com/ifeZjjwPD3

— NBL1 (@NBL1) July 11, 2024