Friday night hoops in the NBL will feature a standalone fixture that pits the New Zealand Breakers up against the Adelaide 36ers. They are both coming off last start losses and will be desperate to bounce back in this one. Check out our full betting preview below!
Also, we’re providing previews and expert betting tips for every game of the NBL26 season, so make sure to head over to our NBL Tips page regularly to keep up to date with all of our content.
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New Zealand Breakers vs Adelaide 36ers Prediction & Betting Tips: NBL26 Round 18
Breakers Down and Nearly Out
The New Zealand Breakers return to Spark Arena this Friday night for a crucial Round 18 encounter, desperate to keep their flickering post-season aspirations alive. Currently sitting in seventh place with a 10–16 record, the Breakers have struggled for consistency throughout the NBL26 campaign. While Petteri Koponen’s men have shown flashes of brilliance, particularly when their perimeter shooting clicks, they have found it difficult to maintain intensity over a full 40 minutes. Playing in front of their home crowd provides a significant advantage, but the Breakers must sharpen their defensive rotations if they are to stop the league’s most potent offensive juggernaut.
36ers Add More Firepower
In contrast, the Adelaide 36ers arrive in Auckland as the benchmark of the competition. Sitting atop the NBL ladder with a formidable 19–6 record, Mike Wells has transformed the Sixers into a disciplined, high-octane unit that excels in transition. The roster is deep and versatile, led by the interior dominance of Isaac Humphries and the incomparable scoring of five-time MVP Bryce Cotton, who leads the league in points and assists. To bolster their championship credentials, Adelaide recently added former NBA guard John Jenkins as an injury replacement player, bringing elite floor-spacing to an already dangerous backcourt. Jenkins' veteran experience and shooting touch make the 36ers even more difficult to scout as the playoffs approach.
Recent H2H History
Looking at the recent head-to-head history, the 36ers have held a slight but firm edge over the Breakers this season. In their only previous meeting of the NBL26 campaign back on November 6, Adelaide secured a hard-fought 83–79 victory in Christchurch, holding off a late New Zealand surge. That four-point win extended a broader trend for the Sixers, who have now won three consecutive games against the Breakers dating back to last season. New Zealand has struggled to close out games against Adelaide’s structured offence, often faltering in the final period when the 36ers’ veteran leaders take control.
Breakers or 36ers? Here’s Our Tip!
From a betting perspective, the 36ers are well-positioned to cover the -4.5 spread in this Friday night clash. Adelaide’s superior depth and the immediate impact of their recent signings give them a significant advantage over a Breakers side that has struggled against top-four opposition. While New Zealand will likely keep the contest competitive through the first half, the 36ers’ ability to rotate high-calibre talent should see them pull away in the final quarter. Expect Adelaide to exert their dominance on the glass and use their transition game to secure a comfortable victory, covering the line and further solidifying their position at the top of the table.
Adelaide 36ers –4.5
$1.91 (3 Units)
Breakers vs 36ers Dabble Pick‘Em
Popular sportsbook Dabble have launched Pick’Em - a new a simpler way to combine player markets from the same game for bigger odds. We’ve put together a 3-Leg Pick’Em for the Breakers vs 36ers clash that you can follow via the link below! You can also learn more about Dabble’s Pick’Em feature here.
- Bryce Cotton 25.5 Points (MORE)
- Reuben Te Rangi 8.5 Points (MORE)
- Isaac Humphries 13.5 Points (MORE)
Dabble Pick‘Em Odds Multiplier: 6.5x ($10 to win $65) - Click here to get involved!
Breakers vs 36ers Betting Odds & Match Info
Date: Friday, January 23rd, 2026
Time: 5:30pm AEDT
Location: Spark Arena, New Zealand
Odds: Breakers $2.75 vs 36ers $1.46
Line: 36ers -5.5
Points: 180.5
Where to Watch Breakers vs 36ers
You can watch the Breakers vs 36ers clash live and ad-free on Kayo Sports.
Back In our Breakers vs 36ers Tips at Dabble!
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