Round 9 in NBL26 kicks off on Wednesday night once again with some Ignite Cup action between the Bullets and the Breakers. Following that will be standalone games on Thursday and Friday, before we’re treated to double-headers on both Saturday and Sunday. We bring you preview and tips for all seven Round 9 games 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 9 Preview & Betting Tips
Brisbane Bullets vs New Zealand Breakers
Wednesday 7:30pm AEDT (Nov 12), Gold Coast Sport and Leisure Centre
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Tasmania JackJumpers vs Adelaide 36ers
Thursday 7:30pm AEDT (Nov 13), MyState Bank Arena
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Cairns Taipans vs South East Melbourne Phoenix
Friday 7:30pm AEDT (Nov 14), Cairns Convention Centre
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Melbourne United vs Brisbane Bullets
Saturday 5:30pm AEDT (Nov 15), John Cain Arena
Melbourne United enter this Round 9 clash in a commanding position, sitting clear atop the ladder at 10-2 and looking every bit the benchmark of NBL26. Their most recent 11-point win over the Phoenix underlined their ability to control games for long stretches, combining discipline, structure and depth that few opponents can match. United’s balanced offence continues to be one of their great strengths, but it is their consistency at both ends that has kept them firmly in first place. At home, with their systems humming and confidence high, they will view this as an opportunity to tighten their grip on top spot.
Brisbane, meanwhile, arrive in a far more fragile state. The Bullets’ 5-8 record has them sitting third last, and their 29-point loss to the Breakers was arguably their worst performance of the season. The fallout has only deepened the concerns. Casey Prather’s season-ending knee injury leaves an irreplaceable hole in their offence and leadership, while the release of Jaylen Adams following the match removes another experienced piece. What remains is a young, inexperienced roster suddenly forced into expanded roles against the competition’s strongest team.
Given the gulf in form, stability and available talent, United should be winning this in a landslide.
Melbourne United -15.5
$2.00 (1 Unit)
Perth Wildcats vs New Zealand Breakers
Saturday 8:00pm AEDT (Nov 15), RAC Arena
The Wildcats come into this Round 9 matchup at 6-5 and buoyed by a composed seven-point win over the 36ers, a result that helped stabilise their season after a mixed run of form. Back at home, Perth should again lean on their structured half-court offence and strong defensive effort, two areas that have consistently shaped their success. Their ability to control pace and generate high-quality looks late in possessions has been a reliable advantage, and with momentum building, they appear well placed to continue climbing the ladder.
The Breakers sit at 4-9 but produced their best performance of the campaign in their last outing, dismantling the Bullets by 29 points. That display showed what New Zealand can deliver when their ball movement is crisp and their defensive rotations are locked in. However, maintaining that standard has been their major challenge this season. Against a disciplined Wildcats unit on the road, replicating that level for four quarters looms as a far greater test.
Perth claimed an 11-point victory in New Zealand earlier in the season, and with home-court advantage this time, they again look to hold the upper hand. Given their more consistent structure and recent steadiness, the Wildcats are well placed to cover the –4.5 spread.
Perth Wildcats -4.5
$1.87 (2 Units)
Illawarra Hawks vs Sydney Kings
Sunday 2:30pm AEDT (Nov 16), WIN Entertainment Centre
The Illawarra Hawks enter this Round 9 clash with renewed confidence, finally healthy and beginning to resemble the championship outfit they were expected to be. The return of William Hickey has been a major boost, with his chemistry alongside Javale McGee forming a dangerous pick-and-roll combination that has quickly become a focal point of their offence. Back-to-back wins, including an impressive victory over ladder-leaders Melbourne United, have stabilised their season and restored belief. With momentum behind them and their core firing, the Hawks look far closer to their best.
Sydney, meanwhile, remain the league’s most unpredictable contender. At their peak they play with pace, physicality and shooting versatility that few teams can contain, and their current three-game winning streak proves exactly how dangerous they can be when it all clicks. Their most recent performance—a composed seven-point win over the Breakers—showed improved execution in key moments, something that has eluded them at stages throughout the season. If the Kings can maintain defensive discipline and limit Illawarra’s interior actions, they are more than capable of pushing this deep into the fourth.
However, Illawarra’s five straight wins in this head-to-head matchup and their surging form give them the edge. On balance, the defending champions should extend their dominance and claim another victory.
Illawarra Hawks to Win
$1.78 (2 Units)
Adelaide 36ers vs Cairns Taipans
Sunday 4:30pm AEDT (Nov 16), Adelaide Entertainment Centre
The Adelaide 36ers return home in Round 9 with plenty of momentum behind them, sitting 8-3 and cemented inside the league’s top three. Their 11-point road win over the JackJumpers to open the round highlighted just how well-balanced and disciplined they have become, controlling the tempo and defending with consistency. Adelaide’s blend of size, physicality and structured offence has been a major reason for their rise, and their home-court advantage has only strengthened their identity. With confidence flowing and their systems clicking, the 36ers look every bit like a genuine contender as they settle into the season’s middle stretch.
Cairns, on the other hand, continue to struggle through a difficult campaign. At 3-10 and anchored to the bottom of the ladder, the Taipans have dropped nine of their past ten games, with their latest outing—a double-digit defeat to the Phoenix—further highlighting their issues on both ends of the floor. Their offence has lacked rhythm, and defensive lapses have repeatedly cost them in key moments. Travelling away to face a well-organised and in-form Adelaide side only adds to the challenge as fatigue and confidence become increasingly significant hurdles.
Given the contrasting form lines and Adelaide’s clear edge across the board, the 36ers should be far too strong at home and are well placed to cover the -12.5 spread.
Adelaide 36ers -12.5
$1.91 (1 {Unit)
