Round 15 of the NBL26 season comes to a close on Monday night with a standalone fixture between the Sydney Kings and the South East Melbourne Phoenix. These are two of the form teams of the competition and legitimate championship threats, so we should be in for a good one! We bring you our full betting preview 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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Sydney Kings vs South East Melbourne Phoenix Prediction & Betting Tips: NBL26 Round 15
Kings Have Found Consistency
The Sydney Kings return home looking to respond after their winning run was halted in their first game of Round 15. Sitting 4th on the ladder at 13–8, the Kings had built strong momentum prior to their trip to Adelaide, where they went down by six points to the ladder-leading 36ers. That result snapped a six-game winning streak, but it did little to diminish the broader picture of a side playing with confidence and consistency. Sydney have been particularly reliable at home this season, using their defensive pressure and composure late in games to control tempo. With another chance in Round 15, the Kings will be eager to re-establish themselves as one of the competition’s most balanced teams and keep pace with the top four.
Slow Starts Hurting SEM
South East Melbourne Phoenix arrive in Sydney holding 2nd spot on the ladder with a 14–7 record, continuing what has been a strong and steady campaign. Their Round 15 opener was a 15-point win over the Cairns Taipans, a result that reinforced their ability to pull away when games open up. However, that contest again highlighted a recurring concern, with the Phoenix starting slowly before asserting control later. Against a disciplined Kings outfit, those sluggish openings could prove costly, particularly on the road. While South East Melbourne have shown they can grind out wins in different ways, they will need a sharper start to avoid chasing the game against a side that thrives when playing from in front.
Recent H2H History
The recent head-to-head history between these teams adds an interesting layer. They have met only once this season, with that matchup taking place in Melbourne, where the Phoenix claimed a commanding 17-point victory. Prior to that result, however, Sydney had dominated the matchup, winning four straight games against South East Melbourne. That earlier run reflects how competitive this rivalry has been, with home court often playing a decisive role. The Kings will take confidence from that trend as they look to even the season series.
JackJumpers or United? Here’s Our Tip!
At home, Sydney shapes as a strong betting proposition. The Kings have won five straight games on their own floor and remain one of the form teams in the competition despite the recent loss in Adelaide. With the energy of their home crowd and a proven ability to bounce back, Sydney look well placed to cover the -3.5 spread in this spot.
Sydney Kings –3.5
$1.90 (3 Units)
Kings vs Phoenix Dabble Pick‘Em
Popular sportsbook Dabble have launched Pick’Em - a new a simpler way to combine player markets from the same game for bigger odds. We’ve put together a 3-Leg Pick’Em for the Kings vs Phoenix clash that you can follow via the link below! You can also learn more about Dabble’s Pick’Em feature here.
- Nathan Sobey 23 Points (LESS)
- Xavier Cooks 26.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (LESS)
- Ian Clark 9.5 Points (MORE)
Dabble Pick‘Em Odds Multiplier: 6.5x ($10 to win $65) - Click here to get involved!
Kings vs Phoenix Betting Odds & Match Info
Date: Monday, January 5th, 2026
Time: 7:30pm AEDT
Location: Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
Odds: Kings $1.62 vs Phoenix $2.30
Line: Kings –3.5
Points: 185.5
Where to Watch Kings vs Phoenix
You can watch the Kings vs Phoenix clash live and ad-free on Kayo Sports.
Back In our Kings vs Phoenix Tips at Dabble!
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