Round 8 of NBL26 continues on Saturday night with another double-header to dissect. The second game of the night is the eye-catcher, with the South East Melbourne Phoenix doing battle with Melbourne United in the Throwdown. We preview the clash and bring you our 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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South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Melbourne United Prediction & Betting Tips: NBL26 Round 8
The Flying Phoenix
The South East Melbourne Phoenix enter the second Throwdown of the NBL26 season as the hottest team in the competition. They secured their fifth consecutive victory in dramatic fashion on Thursday night, edging out the Tasmania JackJumpers 103-102 in a nail-biting one-point affair to move to a stellar 7-2 record. That win broke a club record for consecutive victories and showcased the clutch performances of stars like Nathan Sobey (28 points) and Next Star Malique Lewis (23 points, including five triples). Coach Josh King has his team humming, playing an up-tempo, high-scoring style that has propelled them into second place on the ladder and full of confidence heading into the crosstown rivalry game.
Are United in a Slump?
In stark contrast to their surging rivals, Melbourne United have hit their first patch of turbulence for the season. After rocketing out of the gates with an unblemished 9-0 start, United have now dropped their last two games. Their most recent outing was a disappointing 14-point defeat (107-93) to the Illawarra Hawks on Wednesday night, a game where they were comprehensively out-rebounded and struggled to contain former NBA champion JaVale McGee. This mini-slump marks a significant challenge for a team that had looked near-invincible, and they will be desperate to snap the losing streak and regain their early-season swagger against their fiercest opponent.
Recent H2H History
Historically, this rivalry has been dominated by Melbourne United, who hold a comfortable lead in the overall head-to-head record. However, the Phoenix have started to find their feet in this derby, with the recent history indicating a far more competitive matchup—the last four meetings are perfectly split at two wins apiece. Despite that recent parity, United emphatically took the first Throwdown of NBL26, crushing the Phoenix 103-83 with a commanding fourth-quarter surge, reminding everyone that they remain the "benchmark" team. The Phoenix will undoubtedly be seeking redemption and looking to prove that their incredible start to the season is no fluke.
Throwdown Outcome? Here’s Our Tip!
Given the high-scoring nature of their previous games (Phoenix won 103-102 on Thursday, United lost 107-93 on Wednesday), the 187.5-point line for the over/under seems enticing for the offensive purists. However, expect a significant shift in defensive focus from both camps. Phoenix Coach Josh King is a noted defensive mind, and United, despite their recent lapses, have a strong defensive foundation under Dean Vickerman. After both sides gave up 100+ points in their last outing, the emphasis in this massive top-of-the-table clash will be on dialling up the defensive intensity. Expect this to be a much tighter, grittier contest, leading to a strong lean on the game going Under 187.5 total points.
Under 187.5 Points
$1.95 (1.5 Units)
Phoenix vs United Betting Odds & Match Info
Date: Saturday, November 8th, 2025
Time: 8:00pm AEDT
Location: John Cain Arena, Melbourne
Odds: Phoenix $2.20 vs United $1.68
Line: United -2.5
Points: 185.5
Where to Watch Phoenix vs United
You can watch the Phoenix vs United clash live and ad-free on Kayo Sports.
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