NBL26 Round 15 Predictions & Tips

December 31^st 2025, 2:11pm, By: Jake Smit

Round 15 of the NBL26 season will take us into the new year with some epic matchups including a New Year's Eve doubleheader. There are nine games in total for Round 15 which takes place from Wednesday, December 31st through to Monday, January 5th. As always, we take you through our best bets for all of this round's games below!

NBL26 Round 15 Preview & Betting Tips

Illawarra Hawks vs Tasmania JackJumpers

Wednesday 5:30pm AEDT (Dec 31), WIN Entertainment Centre

The New Year’s Eve clash between the Illawarra Hawks and the Tasmania JackJumpers shapes as a tight, grind-it-out contest, with both sides still searching for consistent offensive rhythm as Round 15 arrives. Illawarra have struggled to find fluency in the half court, often relying on defensive pressure and second-effort plays to stay competitive. Their scoring output has been uneven, with prolonged scoring droughts a recurring issue, particularly against disciplined defensive teams. At home, the Hawks tend to slow the tempo, prioritising structure and contesting every possession, which often keeps games close but low scoring.

Tasmania arrive with similar concerns at the offensive end. The JackJumpers have built their identity around defence, physicality and controlling the pace, but their shot-making has deserted them at times this season. Ball movement has been inconsistent, and they have found it difficult to generate easy looks in transition. Instead, many of their games have become half-court battles, where points are hard-earned and momentum swings are limited.

Given the shared offensive struggles and the defensive mindset of both teams, this matchup profiles as a slower, more tactical affair. Possessions should be valued, scoring runs may be brief, and defensive intensity is likely to dominate. With that in mind, the total points line of 179.5 looks high, making the under a strong play in a game that shapes as more about resistance than rhythm.

Under 179.5 Points

$1.91 (2.5 Units)

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Cairns Taipans vs South East Melbourne Phoenix

Wednesday 7:30pm AEDT (Dec 31), Cairns Convention Centre

The New Year’s Eve meeting between the Cairns Taipans and the South East Melbourne Phoenix presents an intriguing contrast as Round 15 rolls on. Cairns finally come into this matchup with a clean bill of health, a welcome boost after a disrupted start to the season. Despite that, results have been hard to come by, with the Taipans still searching for consistency on both ends of the floor. Execution has often fallen away late in games, but playing at home gives them a familiar environment where their energy and defensive pressure tend to lift.

South East Melbourne, by contrast, have been one of the more impressive sides this season. The Phoenix have shown balance across the court, combining disciplined defence with efficient scoring stretches that allow them to control games. Their ability to dictate tempo has been a key factor in their strong record, particularly against teams lower on the ladder, where they have rarely allowed opponents to play freely.

Even so, this shapes as a tougher assignment than the ladder might suggest. Cairns traditionally lift in front of their home crowd and, with their full rotation available, should be more competitive for longer stretches. While the Phoenix deserve favouritism, the Taipans’ defensive resolve and improved continuity make them well placed to keep this contest close and cover the +9.5 spread.

Cairns Taipans +9.5

$1.87 (1.5 Units)