Round 3 of the fresh NBL26 season kicks off on Thursday night with a juicy double-header. We head to Far North Queensland for the opening clash between the Cairns Taipans and the Adelaide 36ers. As always, we bring you our full game preview and best bet below!
Also, we’re providing previews and expert betting tips for every game of the NBL26 season, so make sure to head over to our NBL Tips page regularly to keep up to date with all of our content.
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Cairns Taipans vs Adelaide 36ers Prediction & Betting Tips: NBL26 Round 3
Snakes Alive
The Cairns Taipans return to the Cairns Convention Centre this Thursday night for their Round 3 opener, carrying the momentum of an outstanding Round 2 weekend. Following a crushing 37-point loss in their first game of the NBL26 season, the Taipans showed incredible resilience to bounce back with two gritty victories. The latest was a tight 77-74 road win against the stacked Sydney Kings, a win that has completely flipped the narrative on the 'Snakes' and firmly stamped their credentials as a competitive unit. Key recruits Jack McVeigh, Andrew Andrews, and Reyne Smith have quickly gelled to create a potent scoring trio, proving that Cairns will be far from the league's easybeats this season.
Cotton Catches Fire
The Adelaide 36ers started their campaign with a bang, securing a strong 87-80 victory over the Brisbane Bullets in their season opener. All eyes were on five-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton, who delivered a sensational debut for his new club. The newly-naturalised Australian was in vintage form, dominating the game with a staggering 39 points, including six three-pointers, in a performance that sent a clear message to the rest of the league: he is still the most feared player in the competition. Supported by the strong interior presence of Isaac Humphries and the all-round effort of Zylan Cheatham, Adelaide boasts a talent level that many believe puts them in title contention.
Recent H2H History
While the Taipans have enjoyed some success against the 36ers in their recent home history, any talk of head-to-head records needs to be taken with a large grain of salt this season. Both clubs have undergone a massive roster overhaul, making past match-ups almost irrelevant. The signings of Cotton and Cheatham in Adelaide, along with the Taipans' new core of McVeigh, Andrews, and Admiral Schofield, mean that both teams are still in the early stages of building on-court chemistry. This Thursday's fixture will be a genuine first look at how these entirely new squads match up against each other's styles.
Snakes or Sixers? Here’s Our Tip!
Despite Cairns’ impressive double-win weekend, the sheer star power of the Adelaide 36ers is difficult to overlook. Bryce Cotton's scoring heroics single-handedly dismantled the Bullets, and on the road, against a Taipans team whose questionable defence will be severely tested, Cotton is expected to deliver another MVP-calibre performance. The overall talent and depth of the 36ers’ roster, especially when combined with a superstar on fire, gives them a significant advantage. The Adelaide 36ers are a confident pick to secure a decisive road victory and comfortably cover the -5.5 spread.
Adelaide 36ers –5.5
$2.00 (2 Units)
Taipans vs 36ers Betting Odds & Match Info
Date: Thursday, October 2nd 2025
Time: 7:30pm AEST
Location: Cairns Convention Centre, Queensland
Odds: Taipans $2.55 vs 36ers $1.52
Line: 36ers -5.5
Points: 180.5
Where to Watch Taipans vs 36ers
You can watch the Taipans vs 36ers clash live and ad-free on Kayo Sports.
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