Round 3 of the NBL26 season continues on Saturday night with a double-header for fans to enjoy. Second up on the slate is a matchup between the Brisbane Bullets and the Tasmania JackJumpers, and we have a full game preview and best bet for you 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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Brisbane Bullets vs Tasmania JackJumpers Prediction & Betting Tips: NBL26 Round 3
Bullets Fail to Fire
The Brisbane Bullets return home to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in a precarious position, sitting at a disappointing 1-2 record after a tough Round 2 road stint. Following a commanding season-opening win, the Bullets suffered consecutive losses, including a brutal one-point defeat to the Cairns Taipans and a loss to the Adelaide 36ers. These results were compounded by significant injury troubles that have immediately tested Brisbane's depth under coach Stu Lash. Most notably, defensive lynchpin Sam McDaniel suffered an ankle injury against Cairns, which has required surgery and will sideline him for approximately eight crucial weeks. Furthermore, the club is nervously awaiting the fitness outcome of star import Javon Freeman-Liberty (JFL), whose ankle issue leaves his status questionable for this crucial home clash. Without their primary perimeter stopper and with JFL potentially compromised, Brisbane must rely heavily on the elite playmaking of Jaylen Adams and the interior dominance of Tyrell Harrison to avoid slipping further down the ladder.
JackJumpers Bite Back
In contrast, the Tasmania JackJumpers have managed to navigate their own early-season turbulence with grit, entering the weekend with a commendable 2-1 record. After dropping their season opener in a hard-fought contest against Melbourne United, Scott Roth’s men responded exactly as championship contenders should, securing two massive road wins in Round 2 against the Perth Wildcats and the Illawarra Hawks. Their trademark defensive intensity and balanced attack, spearheaded by guard Bryce Hamilton, saw them spoil the Hawks’ home opener in a major statement victory last weekend. However, Tasmania is not immune to injury. Dynamic wing David Johnson is sidelined for the short-to-medium term with a calf injury, leading the club to sign TJ Starks as an injury replacement to add immediate depth to their guard rotation. These wins, achieved largely on the road and while missing key pieces, reinforce the JackJumpers' reputation as the league's most resilient outfit.
Recent H2H History
This matchup has historically been tightly contested, though the recent history firmly favours the visitors. Since Tasmania’s entry into the NBL in 2021, the JackJumpers hold the overall edge over the Bullets, winning eight of their 14 meetings. Looking at the more immediate past, Tasmania has dominated the recent rivalry, winning three of the last four regular-season meetings in NBL25. These clashes have been characterised by low scoring and tense fourth quarters, with the JackJumpers often leveraging their relentless pressure and disciplined execution to close out the Bullets in the dying minutes. Brisbane’s lone recent victory came in a January NBL25 thriller, but if the Bullets want to defend their home court successfully in this Round 3 contest, they will need to solve the JackJumpers’ defensive scheme, something few teams have been able to consistently manage.
Bullets or JackJumpers? Here’s Our Tip!
Predicting the outcome of any contest involving the JackJumpers is always difficult, but considering the current circumstances, Tasmania holds a decisive advantage. The Bullets' forced shuffling of their rotations due to the major eight-week loss of Sam McDaniel creates instability that a disciplined, veteran team like the JackJumpers is perfectly positioned to exploit. While Brisbane will enjoy the energy of their home crowd in their season home opener and possess the offensive weapons to blow any game open, Tasmania’s superior depth and defensive mindset give them the edge in a close-game scenario. We expect the Bullets to put up a strong fight, leaning on Tyrell Harrison's interior presence, but ultimately, the JackJumpers’ to come away with another win.
JackJumpers to Win
$1.92 (1 Unit)
Bullets vs JackJumpers Betting Odds & Match Info
Date: Saturday, October 4th 2025
Time: 8:00pm AEST
Location: Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Queensland
Odds: Bullets $1.90 vs JackJumpers $1.92
Line: N/A
Points: 200.5
Where to Watch Bullets vs JackJumpers
You can watch the Bullets vs JackJumpers clash live and ad-free on Kayo Sports.
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