We have another doubleheader on Saturday night in Round 13 of the NBL26 season, which kicks off with a tasty matchup between the Illawarra Hawks and the Adelaide 36ers in Wollongong. Both teams are stacked with talent, making this a must-watch in the 5:30pm AEDT timeslot. Catch our full preview and betting tips below!
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Illawarra Hawks vs Adelaide 36ers Prediction & Betting Tips: NBL26 Round 13
Hawks are Disjointed on Both Ends
Illawarra return home searching for answers after a disappointing start to Round 13, suffering a heavy 22-point defeat against Melbourne United. The loss exposed ongoing issues at the offensive end, where the Hawks have struggled to find rhythm or consistency for much of the season. Possessions have often stalled, spacing has been poor, and scoring runs have been hard to come by. Adding to their concerns, JaVale McGee suffered an eye injury in the fourth quarter of that game and will be a game-time decision on Saturday night. At 6–11 and sitting third last, Illawarra are quickly running out of margin for error and need a sharp response.
36ers, as Honest as the Day is Long
The Adelaide 36ers arrive in Wollongong still firmly in control of the competition despite a narrow four-point overtime loss to the Sydney Kings last outing. That defeat snapped a seven-game winning streak, but it has done little to dent their overall position, with Adelaide remaining top of the ladder at 14–4. The 36ers have been the most balanced team in the league, combining efficient offence with strong defensive structure. They remain the team to beat in the championship race in NBL26.
Recent H2H History
Recent head-to-head history strongly favours Adelaide. The 36ers are 2–0 against the Hawks this season, winning by two points and 12 points, with both games played in Adelaide. Those results extended their winning streak over Illawarra to six straight games. In both meetings this season, Adelaide’s physicality and ability to score in bunches proved decisive, while the Hawks struggled to keep pace for four quarters. Although this matchup shifts to Illawarra, the underlying trends remain difficult to ignore.
Hawks or 36ers? Here’s Our Tip!
Given current form and matchup history, Adelaide look well placed to take control again. The Hawks’ disjointed offence and injury concerns contrast sharply with the 36ers’ depth and consistency. If Adelaide establish their defensive pressure early, they should be able to pull away over the course of the game. With that in mind, the 36ers covering the -5.5 spread shapes as the preferred play in this Round 13 contest.
Illawarra Hawks -5.5
$1.89 (2 Units)
Illawarra vs Adelaide 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 Hawks vs 36ers that you can follow via the link below! You can also learn more about Dabble’s Pick’Em feature here.
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Dabble Pick‘Em Odds Multiplier: 6.5x ($10 to win $65) - Click here to get involved!
Hawks vs 36ers Betting Odds & Match Info
Date: Saturday, December 20th, 2025
Time: 5:30pm AEDT
Location: WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
Odds: Hawks $2.85 vs 36ers $1.44
Line: Hawks -5.5
Points: 185.5
Where to Watch Hawks vs 36ers
You can watch the Hawks vs 36ers clash live and ad-free on Kayo Sports.
Back In our Hawks vs 36ers Tips at Dabble!
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