Round 5 in the NBL26 continues on Thursday night with a matchup between the Adelaide 36ers and the South East Melbourne Phoenix. Both teams are inside the top four coming into the round, with the 36ers’ record sitting at 3-1 and the Phoenix 2-1. We bring you our full game preview and best bet below!
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Adelaide 36ers vs South East Melbourne Phoenix Prediction & Betting Tips: NBL26 Round 5
36ers Cop Reality Check
Adelaide’s unbeaten start to the NBL26 season came to an abrupt halt last round, falling 103-79 to the Sydney Kings in a game where nothing clicked offensively. Bryce Cotton was unusually quiet, limited to just seven points on 3-of-10 shooting as the Kings successfully smothered him with constant double teams. Without their star firing, Adelaide struggled to find consistent scoring from elsewhere, despite Isaac Humphries’ efficient play in limited minutes due to foul trouble. The 36ers will be eager to respond on their home floor and rediscover the balanced offensive flow that saw them open the season 3-0. Defensively, they will also need to tighten up after conceding over 100 points for the first time this season.
Phoenix Bounce Back
South East Melbourne come into this one riding the confidence of a gritty comeback win over the New Zealand Breakers. After trailing by double figures at halftime, the Phoenix rallied to secure an 87-81 victory, highlighted by all five starters reaching double digits in scoring. Owen Foxwell led the charge with 19 points and seven assists, while their defensive intensity lifted in the second half. However, the lack of bench production remains a concern, as the second unit contributed just 14 points. The club added reinforcements this week with the signing of American forward Wes Iwundu, who brings NBA and European experience. If cleared, Iwundu’s athleticism and defensive versatility could make an immediate impact in his NBL debut.
Recent H2H History
Recent head-to-head history leans in South East Melbourne’s favour, with the Phoenix winning the last three encounters between these sides. All those victories came on their home court in Melbourne, but they have yet to beat the 36ers in Adelaide since 2022. The 36ers will be conscious of that trend and keen to make a statement against a Phoenix outfit that has traditionally matched up well with them due to their length and defensive discipline.
36ers or Phoenix? Here’s Our Tip!
Adelaide’s offensive struggles against Sydney exposed their heavy reliance on Cotton, and South East Melbourne will likely follow a similar defensive blueprint. The Phoenix pride themselves on defence-first basketball and have the personnel to frustrate the 36ers’ guards. With their cohesive starting unit and newfound depth, they look well-positioned to make this a tight contest. While Adelaide remain dangerous at home, the Phoenix should be capable of covering the +6.5 spread and may even have enough momentum to pull off another upset on the road.
Phoenix +6.5
$1.85 (1.5 Units)
36ers vs Phoenix Betting Odds & Match Info
Date: Thursday, October 16th, 2025
Time: 7:30pm AEDT
Location: Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Odds: 36ers $1.44 vs Phoenix $2.80
Line: 36ers -6.5
Points: 180.5
Where to Watch 36ers vs Phoenix
You can watch the 36ers vs Phoenix clash live and ad-free on Kayo Sports.
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