Round 11 of the NBL26 season continues on Thursday night with a special double-header! The first matchup pits the Illawarra Hawks against the South East Melbourne Phoenix in Wollongong. 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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Illawarra Hawks vs South East Melbourne Phoenix Prediction & Betting Tips: NBL26 Round 11
Now or Never for the Champs
The Illawarra Hawks, reigning champions, find themselves in an uncharacteristic position as they host the South East Melbourne Phoenix. Sitting second-last on the NBL26 ladder with a disappointing 4-9 record, the Hawks are desperate to turn their season around. Despite having nearly a full-strength roster back on the floor, the 'Gong side has dropped their last three games, including a narrow three-point loss to ladder-leaders Melbourne United in their most recent outing. This clash marks a crucial point for Illawarra; a victory is essential to keep their playoff aspirations from completely flatlining after the FIBA break.
Can the Phoenix Sustain Their Level?
The South East Melbourne Phoenix are soaring, currently occupying a comfortable third place on the ladder with an impressive 9-4 record. Coach Josh King has instilled a strong defensive identity in the Heartland club this season, allowing them to exceed many expectations. However, they come into this contest on the back of a recent 13-point loss to the Adelaide 36ers, a slight bump in the road that will have them focused on getting back to winning ways immediately. Led by MVP candidate, Nathan Sobey, the Phoenix will be aiming to consolidate their top-four spot.
Recent H2H History
The recent head-to-head history between these two teams is in the Phoenix’s favour. Their only meeting so far this season resulted in an emphatic 40-point blowout victory for South East Melbourne. While that scoreline will serve as a stark reminder for the Hawks, it's worth noting that the Illawarra roster for this home fixture will feature more key personnel who were sidelined or playing limited minutes during that early-season thrashing. The injection of returning talent gives the Hawks a more formidable look this time around, setting the stage for a much more competitive battle.
Hawks or Phoenix? Here’s Our Tip!
All signs based on current form point towards a Phoenix victory in Wollongong. However, the desperation of the Illawarra Hawks, playing in front of their home crowd, should not be underestimated. This is a must-win game for the home side to kickstart their season post-FIBA break, and they simply have too much talent on their roster to continue languishing near the bottom. I think we will see the defending champions rise to the occasion, finding a way to gut out a much-needed home win against the odds.
Illawarra Hawks to Win
$2.20 (1.5 Units)
Hawks vs Phoenix Betting Odds & Match Info
Date: Thursday, December 4th, 2025
Location: WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
Odds: Hawks $2.15 vs Phoenix $1.70
Where to Watch Hawks vs Phoenix
You can watch the Hawks vs Phoenix clash live and ad-free on Kayo Sports.
Back In our Hawks vs Phoenix Tips at Dabble!
