NBL26 Round 2 Predictions & Tips

The New Zealand Breakers desperately need a response as they host the Perth Wildcats in a Round 2 clash, both teams hunting their first win of the season. The Breakers' start to the campaign has been challenging, dropping their home opener to the Bullets before suffering a major blowout loss against Melbourne United. Their defensive struggles, having conceded over 100 points in both games, will be a major concern against a talented Wildcats lineup.

The Wildcats themselves are keen to bounce back from a close Round 1 loss to the Tasmania JackJumpers, where they fell just short despite a strong performance from new star Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. As the more experienced and talented team, Perth will look to exploit the Breakers' early-season woes. Expect the Wildcats to come out firing on the road, eager to secure a convincing victory and assert themselves in the competition standings. Take the Wildcats to cover the spread here.

The Sydney Kings, stacked with talent including imports and an experienced domestic core, finally open their NBL26 campaign in Round 2 and are ready to make an immediate statement. Their highly-rated roster, featuring stars such as Matthew Dellavedova and Kendric Davis, is tipped to be a championship contender and will look to exploit a Cairns Taipans team still finding its rhythm. While the Taipans showed fight to secure a narrow win over the Bullets in their last outing, they will need a near-perfect performance to contain the rested and overwhelmingly more gifted Kings squad.

The Taipans' 37-point Round 1 thrashing by the Phoenix remains a major concern, despite the confidence boost of Jack McVeigh's clutch performance against Brisbane. The Kings' superior depth and firepower, particularly in their guard rotation and up front with Xavier Cooks, give them a decisive advantage. Expect Sydney to come out firing in their season opener, playing at a high tempo that the Taipans' slightly weary unit will struggle to match for four quarters. Back the Kings to cover the -7.5 spread comfortably and announce themselves as a serious contender.

The Adelaide 36ers finally kick off their NBL26 season at the Entertainment Centre, unveiling a re-tooled, highly talented roster headlined by five-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton. Following an offseason of aggressive recruitment, the Sixers are poised to make a major statement, and with the excitement of a packed-out home opener, their elite star power should be overwhelming for the travel-weary Brisbane Bullets. The addition of Cotton alongside a strong core like DJ Vasiljevic and Isaac Humphries provides an offensive juggernaut ready to explode.

Brisbane travels to Adelaide for their third road game of the round, fresh off a heartbreaking one-point loss to the Taipans and battling key injuries to their backcourt, including Mitch Norton and Sam McDaniel. While they showed grit in their first two outings, the quick turnaround and mounting fatigue—combined with Adelaide's fresh legs and desire to impress their home crowd—make this a monumental task. The 36ers are the far more talented team and should capitalize on Brisbane's difficult start, covering the -5.5 spread in the process.