Round 4 in the NBL26 season is a busy one with eight games on the schedule across five days of action. It kicks off on Wednesday with a double-header, while there will also be double-headers on Saturday and Sunday. We bring you our best bets for all eight Round 4 games below!
Last round we went 3-1 with our tips for +3.77 Units, taking us to 9-6 on the season (+3.7 Units). Let’s see if we can keep it rolling in Round 4!
And if you’re looking for a bookmaker to place your NBL bets on this season, look no further than Dabble – The official wagering partner of the NBL!
NBL26 Round 4 Preview & Betting Tips
New Zealand Breakers vs Illawarra Hawks
Wednesday 5:30pm AEDT (Oct 8), Spark Arena
The New Zealand Breakers host the Illawarra Hawks in a Round 4 clash where both clubs are scrambling for their first win of the NBL26 season. The Breakers are deep in a hole at 0-4, with their recent form raising serious concerns, including a disheartening 22-point thrashing by the Sydney Kings. The team’s offence has been widely criticised as “limp,” struggling with poor shooting, most recently going a woeful 6/32 from three-point range against Sydney. Despite Parker Jackson-Cartwright’s best efforts, the general lack of cohesion and intensity has led to questions being raised over the side's overall direction, making their return home a crucial moment to turn their fortunes around.
The Illawarra Hawks, meanwhile, have had a more respectable winless start, sitting at 0-2 after two close contests. While the results haven't fallen their way, the team's prospects have been dramatically uplifted by superstar centre and three-time NBA champion JaVale McGee. McGee has been an MVP candidate early, dominating the paint with huge double-doubles, including 26 points and 14 rebounds in their recent road loss to the Perth Wildcats. The Hawks' challenge lies in getting consistent support for McGee and captain Tyler Harvey, with the remainder of the roster needing to execute the game plan of better-regarded coach Justin Tatum.
This match pits a struggling Breakers team desperately seeking a confidence boost against a Hawks outfit that looks closer to clicking into gear. Given the competitive nature of Illawarra’s losses and the sheer dominance of McGee in the paint, the Hawks possess both the talent and coaching edge required to exploit the Breakers’ recent defensive fragilities. Expect the visitors to lean heavily on their interior advantage and superior execution to secure their first victory. Taker the Hawks to cover the -4.5 spread, as their talent level and more structured approach should prove too much for the winless home side.
Illawarra Hawks –4.5
$1.95 (1 Unit)
Sydney Kings vs Melbourne United
Wednesday 7:30pm AEDT (Oct 8), Qudos Bank Arena
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Adelaide 36ers vs Tasmania JackJumpers
Thursday 7:30pm AEDT (Oct 9), Adelaide Entertainment Centre
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Cairns Taipans vs Perth Wildcats
Friday 7:30pm AEDT (Oct 10), Cairns Convention Centre
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Illawarra Hawks vs Brisbane Bullets
Saturday 5:30pm AEDT (Oct 11), WIN Entertainment Centre
The Illawarra Hawks head into their second game of Round 4 still searching for their first win of the season. The defending champions have endured a sluggish start at 0-3, with their most disappointing showing coming on Wednesday night against the New Zealand Breakers. Despite Javale McGee continuing to impress with his presence inside, coach Justin Tatum voiced frustration after that loss about the lack of foul calls his star centre has been receiving. With that now a talking point, it’ll be interesting to see if the officials give McGee a fairer whistle as the Hawks try to finally get on the board.
For the Brisbane Bullets, it’s been a frustrating run since their Round 1 win, as they’ve now dropped three straight games. A string of injuries has impacted their rotations and rhythm, leading to lapses in execution at both ends of the floor. Their offensive cohesion has faltered, while defensive lapses have allowed opponents to dictate tempo far too easily. With limited depth at the moment, the Bullets will need a much sharper performance to challenge Illawarra away from home.
Back at WIN Entertainment Centre, the Hawks should rise to the occasion. Expect a high-intensity response from a proud team desperate to defend their home court. Illawarra should bounce back strongly and cover the -4.5 spread.
Illawarra Hawks -4.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
Adelaide 36ers vs Sydney Kings
Saturday 8:00pm AEDT (Oct 11), Adelaide Entertainment Centre
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New Zealand Breakers vs South East Melbourne Phoenix
Sunday 2:30pm AEDT (Oct 12), Spark Arena
The Breakers finally found some relief on Wednesday night, picking up their first win of the season in dominant fashion. Their 29-point demolition of the Hawks snapped a worrying 0-4 start and showed what they’re capable of when everything clicks. Sitting at 1-4, the challenge now is to build consistency and prove that performance wasn’t just a one-off against an out-of-sorts opponent.
The Phoenix head into this Round 4 clash with fresh legs after their NBAxNBL hit-out against the Pelicans. They sit 1-1 in NBL26, having comfortably beaten the Taipans before being blown away by United in the Throwdown. When their tempo is up, they’re one of the most entertaining sides in the competition, but defensive lapses have occasionally undone their rhythm. This matchup provides a good chance to reassert themselves before a busy stretch of games.
The Phoenix’s aggressive full-court pressure could be the difference here. The Breakers have struggled with turnovers early in the season, and that weakness plays right into the Phoenix’s hands. Expect South East Melbourne to capitalise on those errors and claim a solid road win.
Phoenix to Win
$1.79 (2 Units)
Melbourne United vs Cairns Taipans
Sunday 4:30pm AEDT (Oct 12), John Cain Arena
United sit atop the NBL26 ladder at 4-0 and continue to look every bit the title favourites. Their last three victories have been dominant, including a 14-point win over the Kings that highlighted their depth and defensive intensity. With veteran sharpshooter Chris Goulding expected to return on Sunday, Melbourne’s offensive spacing and leadership will only improve, making them an even tougher proposition at home.
The Taipans enter this clash at 2-3 after a narrow three-point loss to the Wildcats on Friday night. Despite showing plenty of fight, Cairns have struggled to maintain consistency on the offensive end, relying heavily on transition play to stay in games. They’ll need a strong defensive effort and better execution in the half court to trouble United.
This matchup shapes as a grind rather than a shootout. The Taipans lack the offensive firepower to push the pace, and with United’s strong defence, the total should stay under the 186.5 line.
Under 186.5 Points
$1.90 (1 Unit)
