Round 18 of the NBL26 season continues on Thursday night with another double-header for fans and punters to enjoy. The first game of the night will be at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, as the Kings play host to the JackJumpers. We bring you our full preview and betting tips for the clash 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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Sydney Kings vs Tasmania JackJumpers Prediction & Betting Tips: NBL26 Round 18
Kings Depth is Unmatched
The Sydney Kings enter this Round 18 home fixture as the league’s most talked about team, mainly due to the arrival of NBA veteran Torrey Craig. The former Defensive Player of the Year is set to make his debut on Thursday night, providing a massive boost to a roster that has spent much of the season battling the injury bug. While the Kings are currently in third place and riding a three game winning streak, they aren't fully healthy just yet. Captain Matthew Dellavedova is sidelined after entering concussion protocols following a hit in their recent win over Melbourne United. Even without their floor general, Brian Goorjian has the Kings playing high level basketball, with Kendric Davis and Kouat Noi leading an offence that looks increasingly difficult to scout.
Life After Magnay
Tasmania arrives at Qudos Bank Arena with their season hanging in the balance and their depth chart taking a major hit. The big story for the JackJumpers is the loss of captain and star centre Will Magnay, who was ruled out for the rest of the season after breaking his toe at HoopsFest. It is a massive blow for Scott Roth’s defensive identity, as Magnay was arguably the best rim protector in the competition this year. The sixth placed JackJumpers now have to rely on Majok Deng and Josh Bannan to hold down the paint against Sydney’s athletic frontline. Coming off a heartbreaking two point loss to United, Tasmania needs to find a way to replicate their trademark grit without their foundational big man to anchor the middle.
Recent H2H History
Looking at the recent history between these clubs, the JackJumpers have been a genuine bogey team for the Kings. Tasmania has managed to win all three matchups so far in NBL26, including an absolute stunner in October where Nick Marshall hit a last second shot to steal a one point victory. Their most recent encounter in November was even more one sided, with the JackJumpers running away with a 23 point win. Historically, Sydney has struggled with Tasmania’s slow tempo and physical style of play.
Kings or JackJumpers? Here’s Our Tip!
The Kings are 5.5 point favourites for this one, and they look well placed to cover that line. While missing Dellavedova hurts their playmaking, the debut of Torrey Craig addresses their biggest need by providing an elite defender to throw at Tasmania’s perimeter threats. The most significant factor is the absence of Magnay; without him, the JackJumpers simply don't have the size or shot blocking to stop Sydney from living in the paint. The Kings lead the league in scoring for a reason, and if they can push the pace, a shorthanded Tasmania will struggle to keep up.
Sydney Kings –5.5
$1.91 (2 Units)
Kings vs JackJumpers 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 Kings vs JackJumpers clash that you can follow via the link below! You can also learn more about Dabble’s Pick’Em feature here.
- Kouat Noi 14 Points (MORE)
- Makuach Maluach 11 Points (MORE)
- Majok Deng 11.5 Points (MORE
Dabble Pick‘Em Odds Multiplier: 6.5x ($10 to win $65) - Click here to get involved!
Kings vs JackJumpers Betting Odds & Match Info
Date: Thursday, January 22nd, 2026
Time: 7:30pm AEDT
Location: Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
Odds: Kings $1.44 vs JackJumpers $2.85
Line: Kings -6.5
Points: 175.5
Where to Watch Kings vs JackJumpers
You can watch the Kings vs JackJumpers clash live and ad-free on Kayo Sports.
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