NBL26 Round 7 continues on Friday night with a matchup between the desperate Illawarra Hawks and the equally desperate New Zealand Breakers. Both clubs have had poor starts to the season which opens up a chance for someone to try and build some momentum with a win!
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Illawarra Hawks vs New Zealand Breakers Prediction & Betting Tips: NBL26 Round 7
Championship Hero Back for the Hawks
The Illawarra Hawks enter their Round 7 home clash against the New Zealand Breakers with a fragile, yet significant, boost of momentum. Sitting 8th on the ladder with a 2-4 record, the Hawks recently bounced back from a truly humiliating defeat at the hands of the Phoenix. Their recovery was marked by an inspired, gritty one-point road victory against the perennial contenders, the Perth Wildcats. This much-needed win has injected a fresh wave of belief into the reigning champions' camp. The excitement builds further with the expected season debut of championship hero Will Hickey on Friday night, whose return from injury is tipped to provide the team with the up-tempo speed and defensive intensity they have lacked so far this campaign. The Hawks are primed to make a mid-season run, and a win here is essential to building on their foundation.
Breakers Capitulate Again
In stark contrast, the New Zealand Breakers are reeling from a devastating sequence of losses, compounding their dismal start to the season. The Breakers are second last on the ladder at 2-7, with their latest defeat a demoralising one-point heartbreaker at home against the Brisbane Bullets, a game where they inexplicably surrendered a commanding 24-point lead. That monumental collapse perfectly encapsulates the team's struggles: a mix of talented but inconsistent play, and a concerning inability to close out games. Coach Petteri Koponen will be searching for answers from his star import Parker Jackson-Cartwright and the rest of his roster to stop the defensive leaks and put an end to what is quickly becoming a season lost.
Recent H2H History
Recent history between these trans-Tasman rivals adds another layer of intrigue to the Friday night fixture. When the two teams met earlier this season, the Breakers delivered a stunning 29-point demolition of the Hawks, a victory that emphatically snapped a significant losing streak the Breakers held against the Illawarra club. That earlier result proved the Breakers, despite their current struggles, possess the firepower and physical edge to dominate Illawarra when they are on song. However, the Hawks, now back on their home floor and with the memory of that blowout loss fresh in their minds, will be eager for revenge and determined to prove their recent win over the Wildcats was the sign of a true turnaround.
Who Gets the Win? Here’s Our Tip!
The Illawarra Hawks at the WIN Entertainment Centre feel like the safe bet for this match-up. The combination of their most recent inspirational win, the significant psychological boost from the return of Hickey, and the Breakers' clear issues with maintaining a lead make the home team a strong proposition. The New Zealand side's fragile mentality, evidenced by the 24-point choke against Brisbane, will be easily exploited by the rejuvenated Hawks. Expect JaVale McGee to control the paint and Tyler Harvey to attack the rim, leading Illawarra to a comfortable victory. The Hawks should be able to cover the -4.5 spread.
Illawarra Hawks –4.5
$1.90 (2.5 Units)
Hawks vs Breakers Betting Odds & Match Info
Date: Friday, October 31st, 2025
Time: 7:30pm AEDT
Location: WIN Entertainment Centre
Odds: Hawks $1.46 vs Breakers $2.75
Line: Hawks -6.5
Points: 180.5
Where to Watch Hawks vs Breakers
You can watch the Hawks vs Breakers clash live and ad-free on Kayo Sports.
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