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.
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NBL26 Round 8 Preview & Betting Tips
Illawarra Hawks vs Melbourne United
Wednesday 7:30pm AEDT (Nov 5), WIN Entertainment Centre
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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
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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
The Tasmania JackJumpers will be desperate to halt their slide when they host the Brisbane Bullets in Round 8 of NBL26. The JackJumpers have now lost three straight games at home to fall to a 5-6 record, including a narrow defeat to the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Thursday night. Despite their current slump, Tasmania remain a well-drilled and defensively focused team, and they’ll be eager to recapture the energy and precision that defined their strong start to the season at MyState Bank Arena.
The Bullets enter this matchup at 4-7 and have struggled for consistency, particularly on the defensive end. Their most recent outing was a heavy 37-point loss to the Sydney Kings, a result that underlined their difficulty containing high-tempo offences. While Brisbane possess scoring potential, their issues with turnovers and transition defence have regularly left them exposed against more disciplined opponents.
Given Tasmania’s superior structure and depth, this looms as a key opportunity to steady their campaign. The JackJumpers’ home-court intensity, combined with their defensive resilience, should prove decisive. Expect them to come out with intent, control the tempo, and finally break their losing streak by covering the -2.5 spread.
Tasmania JackJumpers -2.5
$1.90 (3 Units)
South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Melbourne United
Saturday 8:00pm AEDT (Nov 8), John Cain Arena
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Adelaide 36ers vs Perth Wildcats
Sunday 2:30pm AEDT (Nov 9), Adelaide Entertainment Centre
The Adelaide 36ers have emerged as one of the top contenders in NBL26, sitting second on the ladder with a 7-2 record. Their balanced play at both ends of the floor has been key to their strong start, with efficient ball movement and defensive intensity setting them apart. Back at home, the 36ers will look to maintain their dominance by controlling tempo and using their depth to wear down the opposition. With confidence building each week, they’ll be eager to cement their place among the league’s elite.
The Perth Wildcats enter this clash at 5-5, sitting mid-table after an inconsistent run of form. While their best basketball remains formidable, lapses in defensive focus have hurt them against stronger sides. This matchup also carries added intrigue with Bryce Cotton facing his former team for the first time, adding extra motivation on both sides of the court.
Given Adelaide’s form and home-court edge, they look well placed to take control early and should be too strong, covering the -5.5 spread with another composed performance.
Adelaide 36ers -5.5
$1.95 (2 Units)
Sydney Kings vs New Zealand Breakers
Sunday 4:30pm AEDT (Nov 9), Qudos Bank Arena
The Sydney Kings are starting to find their rhythm again, winning two straight to move to 5-5 and back inside the top four. Their recent 3-point win away against ladder leaders Melbourne United showed the composure and defensive discipline that made them a title threat in past seasons. With improved ball movement and a more settled rotation, the Kings are beginning to look like a team capable of making a strong push up the standings. Back on their home floor, they’ll be eager to extend their winning streak and continue building momentum.
The New Zealand Breakers, meanwhile, have struggled to find consistency, sitting 9th at 3-8. Despite flashes of competitiveness, they’ve often been unable to close out tight games and have lacked the defensive stability needed to compete with the top sides. Facing a surging Kings outfit away from home presents another major challenge.
With Xavier Cooks back in strong form and the Kings rediscovering their defensive edge, Sydney should control this contest from start to finish and prove far too strong for the Breakers.
Sydney Kings -7.5
$1.91 (1 Unit)
