Round 2 of NBL26 continues on Saturday night with a double-header that concludes with a matchup between the Illawarra Hawks and the Tasmania JackJumpers. The Hawks will begin their title defence on their home deck and with try to fight off the JackJumpers who are coming off a win in the West.
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Illawarra Hawks vs Perth Wildcats Prediction & Betting Tips: NBL26 Round 2
Hawks Begin Title Defence
The Illawarra Hawks tip off their NBL26 season with a massive clash at the WIN Entertainment Centre, raising the curtain on their championship defence with the unveiling of their latest banner. With a bolstered roster featuring former NBA big man JaVale McGee and the return of local star Jonah Bolden, the Hawks are set to once again be title contenders. While they’ve already had a taste of elite competition at the FIBA Intercontinental Cup, the reigning champions will be determined to start their domestic campaign strong, proving their refreshed squad is ready for the rigours of the NBL.
JackJumpers Added Firepower
The Tasmania JackJumpers arrive in Wollongong with a 1-1 record from a bruising Round 1 schedule. They narrowly fell short in their season opener at home against Melbourne United (84-88) in a tight contest. However, they bounced back impressively, securing a gritty road win against the Perth Wildcats (75-72) thanks to an outstanding 26-point performance from new import guard Bryce Hamilton. The JackJumpers' trademark aggressive defence and fighting spirit were on full display in Perth, indicating they will once again be one of the toughest outs in the competition.
Recent H2H History
Historically, this rivalry has been tilted in favour of the visitors. The JackJumpers currently hold the advantage in the head-to-head record against the Hawks, with eight wins to Illawarra's five across their 13 meetings since Tasmania's inception. Last season, the Hawks struggled against the JackJumpers, dropping three of four encounters during the regular season, including a heavy home loss early in the campaign. Illawarra will be looking to re-establish dominance on their home court and even the ledger in this relatively new but increasingly fierce rivalry.
Who Wins? Here’s Our Hawks vs JackJumpers Tip
Coming off the high of the banner unveiling and backed by their passionate home crowd, the sheer firepower and depth of the Illawarra Hawks should prove too much for the JackJumpers. With an array of elite scoring options and a formidable frontcourt rotation, the Hawks are primed to make a statement. Look for the Hawks to win comfortably, covering the -3.5 spread with a strong performance to launch their title defence.
Hawks –3.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
Hawks vs JackJumpers Betting Odds & Match Info
Date: Saturday, September 27th 2025
Time: 8:00pm AEST
Location: WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
Odds: Hawks $1.55 vs JackJumpers $2.45
Line: Hawks -3.5
Points: 175.5
Where to Watch Hawks vs JackJumpers
You can watch the Hawks vs JackJumpers clash live and ad-free on Kayo Sports.
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