Round 20 in the NBL is jam-packed with crucial encounters as the fight for playoff spots and seeding's intensifies. There are eight games in total this round with four double-headers to be played out from Thursday night through to Sunday. As always, we bring you our best bets for all games right here!
NBL26 Round 20 Preview & Betting Tips
New Zealand Breakers vs South East Melbourne Phoenix
Thursday 5:30pm AEDT (Feb 5), Eventfinda Stadium
As the NBL26 season hits the home stretch, the New Zealand Breakers return to Eventfinda Stadium this Thursday to host the surging South East Melbourne Phoenix. With only three rounds left, the pressure is mounting. The Phoenix currently sit in second place, riding high after dismantling the league leading 36ers. On the other side, the Breakers are languishing in seventh and desperately need a win to keep their play in hopes alive following a string of tough results.
The season series has been one way traffic so far, with South East Melbourne claiming all three previous encounters, including a 123-116 shootout in January. While Karim Lopez has been a bright spot for the Breakers in recent outings, the Phoenix simply have too many weapons. Led by Nathan Sobey’s veteran poise, the visitors look far more clinical. Expect the Phoenix to keep their foot on the gas and comfortably cover the 7.5 spread.
SEM Phoenix -7.5
$1.85 (2 Units)
Illawarra Hawks vs Adelaide 36ers
Thursday 7:30pm AEDT (Feb 5), WIN Entertainment Centre
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Tasmania JackJumpers vs Brisbane Bullets
Friday 7:30pm AEDT (Feb 6), MyState Bank Arena
In a high-stakes Round 20 clash, the Tasmania JackJumpers host the Brisbane Bullets this Friday night at MyState Bank Arena. This fixture is the ultimate must-win for Scott Roth’s men; currently sitting in 6th place with a 13-17 record, the JackJumpers are clinging to the final play-in spot with the New Zealand Breakers breathing down their necks. Despite a mounting injury list that includes Ben Ayre (groin), Will Magnay (toe), and Bryce Hamilton (knee), Tasmania showed immense grit with a pivotal recent victory over the Breakers led by David Johnson's 33 points.
The Bullets arrive in Hobart enduring a horror run, rooted to the bottom of the ladder after nine consecutive losses. Their task is made harder with Javon Freeman-Liberty ruled out for the season and Terry Taylor serving a suspension. While Alex Ducas provides some perimeter threat for Brisbane, Tasmania’s defend the island mentality is at a premium. Expect the JackJumpers’ desperation for post-season action to overwhelm the struggling visitors, leading to the JackJumpers covering the -9.5 spread in a dominant home performance.
Tasmania JackJumpers -9.5
$1.91 (1.5 Units)
Perth Wildcats vs Cairns Taipans
Friday 9:30pm AEDT (Feb 6), RAC Arena
The Perth Wildcats look to solidify their top-four ambitions as they host the struggling Cairns Taipans at RAC Arena this Friday night. Sitting in 5th place with an 18-11 record, Perth enters this Round 20 match on the back of consecutive 100-plus point performances. The Wildcats have dominated the season series so far, including a massive 37-point victory just two weeks ago. With Elijah Pepper coming off a career-high 25-point game and Kristian Doolittle providing elite all-round play, the Wildcats' offence is clicking at the right time for a finals charge.
In contrast, the Taipans occupy 9th place and are searching for answers after a string of difficult results. While Jack McVeigh remains a premier scoring threat and is doing everything he can to keep his team competitive, the Taipans have simply struggled to contain high-powered scoring teams on the road. Facing the league’s second-best scoring defence in a hostile RAC Arena environment presents a monumental challenge. Expect a motivated Perth side to maintain their scoring intensity, leading to the Wildcats covering the -15.5 spread in another convincing home win.
Perth Wildcats -15.5
$1.91 (1 Unit)
New Zealand Breakers vs Illawarra Hawks
Saturday 5:30pm AEDT (Feb 7), Spark Arena
The New Zealand Breakers return to Spark Arena this Saturday night to host the Illawarra Hawks. Both teams are fighting for their post-season lives, but they enter this clash in very different states. The Hawks (11–18) arrive with renewed life after a gritty win over the league leading 36ers on Thursday, a result that keeps them mathematically alive in the play in hunt.
Conversely, the Breakers (11–19) are reeling from a heavy loss to South East Melbourne and a devastating injury list. With Sam Mennenga, Rob Baker II, and Izayah Leafa all sidelined, and Karim Lopez dealing with a leg issue, New Zealand is down to the bare bones. While Parker Jackson-Cartwright remains a threat, the Hawks' depth and the size of JaVale McGee should overwhelm a depleted Breakers frontcourt. Expect Illawarra to exploit the tired legs of the hosts and cover the 4.5 spread.
Illawarra Hawks -4.5
$1.91 (2 Units)
Melbourne United vs Adelaide 36ers
Saturday 8:00pm AEDT (Feb 7), John Cain Arena
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South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Sydney Kings
Sunday 2:30pm AEDT (Feb 8), John Cain Arena
Click here for our full game preview and betting tips!
Brisbane Bullets vs Cairns Taipans
Sunday 4:30pm AEDT (Feb 8), Brisbane Entertainment Centre
The Round 20 finale features a grim "Spoon Bowl" as the Brisbane Bullets host the Cairns Taipans this Sunday at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. Both sides are anchored to the bottom of the ladder, but Brisbane’s situation is particularly dire.
Decimated by an unprecedented injury crisis, the Bullets are running on empty with key stars like Javon Freeman-Liberty, Casey Prather, and big man Tyrell Harrison all sidelined. With Tristan Devers and Alex Ducas also joining the casualty ward after the Tasmania game, Brisbane is struggling to find enough healthy bodies to compete. Conversely, while the Taipans have struggled for wins, they have remained competitive behind Jack McVeigh’s scoring. Expect the Snakes to capitalise on Brisbane’s depleted roster and cover the -10.5 spread.
Cairns Taipans -10.5
$1.91 (2 Units)
