Last round in NBL26 we saw Melbourne United succumb to their first defeat of the season, the Sydney Kings go 2-0, and the defending champion Illawarra Hawks slip to the bottom of the standings. We now turn our attention to Round 8 which will see eight games play out across five days (Wednesday-Sunday). We have you covered with previews and tips for each of them below.
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 8 Preview & Betting Tips
Illawarra Hawks vs Melbourne United
Wednesday 7:30pm AEDT (Nov 5), WIN Entertainment Centre
Click here for our full game preview and best bet!
New Zealand Breakers vs Adelaide 36ers
Thursday 5:30pm AEDT (Nov 6), Wolfbrook Arena
The New Zealand Breakers may sit at 3-7, but their confidence is building after a commanding 42-point win over the Hawks in Round 7 — easily their best performance of the season. That result snapped a tough run of form and showed significant strides on the defensive end, where they’ve tightened up after leaking points early in the campaign. If they can maintain that same intensity and structure, the Breakers could make life difficult for one of the league’s hottest teams.
Adelaide have been equally impressive defensively, holding their last few opponents to low totals as they continue to climb the ladder at 6-2. Their most recent two-point win over the Hawks may not have been pretty, but it showcased their composure in tight games and a growing maturity at both ends of the court. With both teams showing improved defensive discipline, this contest shapes as a grind rather than a shootout. With the total points line set at 180.5, the under looks the smarter play.
Under 180.5 Points
$1.89 (1.5 Units)
Tasmania JackJumpers vs South East Melbourne Phoenix
Thursday 7:30pm AEDT (Nov 6), Silverdome
Click here for our full game preview and best bet!
Cairns Taipans vs Illawarra Hawks
Friday 7:30pm AEDT (Nov 7), Cairns Convention Centre
The Cairns Taipans finally snapped their seven-game losing streak with a hard-fought six-point win over the JackJumpers last start, showing improved cohesion and energy on both ends of the floor. That victory lifted some pressure from a side that had struggled to close games during their slump. Playing at home again, the Taipans will look to build on that confidence, but consistency remains their biggest challenge as they continue to find rhythm in offence and tighten up defensively.
The Illawarra Hawks, meanwhile, produced their best performance of the season when they took down the ladder-leading United by 14 points to open Round 8. After a sluggish start to their title defence, the Hawks are finally resembling the championship-calibre unit that stormed to glory last season. With an almost full-strength roster back on court, their ball movement and defensive intensity have returned to elite levels, giving them a clear edge in this matchup.
With momentum on their side and superior depth across the board, the Hawks should cover the -5.5 spread.
Illawarra Hawks -5.5
$1.89 (2 Units)
Tasmania JackJumpers vs Brisbane Bullets
Saturday 5:30pm AEDT (Nov 8), MyState Bank Arena
Preview and best bet coming soon.
South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Melbourne United
Saturday 8:00pm AEDT (Nov 8), John Cain Arena
Preview and best bet coming soon.
Adelaide 36ers vs Perth Wildcats
Sunday 2:30pm AEDT (Nov 9), Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Preview and best bet coming soon.
Sydney Kings vs New Zealand Breakers
Sunday 4:30pm AEDT (Nov 9), Qudos Bank Arena
Preview and best bet coming soon.
