The NBL26 Championship Series all comes down to this Easter Sunday afternoon as the Sydney Kings host the Adelaide 36ers in a winner takes all Game 5 at Qudos Bank Arena. After an epic one point thriller in South Australia to tie the series at two wins apiece, the championship will be decided in a single game. Get our full preview and best bet below.
Sydney Kings vs Adelaide 36ers Prediction and Betting Tips: NBL26 Championship Series Game 5
The final chapter of the Hungry Jack's NBL26 season tips off at Qudos Bank Arena this Sunday at 2:30pm AEST. Adelaide kept their championship dreams alive on Wednesday night in one of the greatest games in recent memory, securing a 92 to 91 victory at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
The 36ers forced this deciding game off the back of a heroic performance from Zylan Cheatham, who led the way with 23 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds. Bryce Cotton continued his strong post season with 19 points and 12 assists, while DJ Vasiljevic added 19 points against his former side. The defining moment came in the dying seconds when Sydney forward Torrey Craig was fouled down by two points with under three seconds remaining. Craig made the first but missed the second free throw, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and ensuring this series goes the distance.
Sydney returns home with the pressure squarely on their shoulders. The Kings led by as many as nine points late in the third quarter of Game 4 but could not withstand an 18 to 5 Adelaide run. Kendric Davis was brilliant again with 22 points, and Jaylin Galloway provided a massive spark with 20 points off the bench, but Brian Goorjian will be lamenting the missed opportunities down the stretch. The Kings must tighten up their perimeter defence and ensure Xavier Cooks, who had 16 points in Game 4, remains highly involved in the offence.
This series has provided everything basketball fans could ask for, from blowout statements to wire to wire nail biters. The Kings have the undeniable advantage of playing this decider in front of a sold out home crowd in Sydney. While Adelaide has shown immense grit to fight back from a two games to one deficit, winning a Game 5 on the road against a team with Sydney's depth is the ultimate challenge.
Expect another physical, high intensity battle early. However, Sydney has the firepower and the defensive length to wear Adelaide down over four quarters. The Kings should use the energy of Qudos Bank Arena to go on a second half run, securing the NBL26 title and covering the spread in the process.
Sydney Kings -7.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
36ers vs Kings Betting Odds & Match Info
Date: Sunday, April 5th, 2026
Time: 2:30pm AEDT
Location: Qudos Ban Arena, Sydney
Odds: 36ers $1.32 vs Kings $3.42
Line: Kings -7.5
Points: 187.5
Where to Watch the Kings vs 36ers
You can watch the Kings vs 36ers live and ad-free on Kayo Sports.
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