After a standalone game on Friday night, we’re back to double-headers on Saturday and Sunday for Round 18 in the NBL. The second game of the night on Saturday is a good one, with the Tasmania JackJumpers hosting the Illawarra Hawks. 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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Tasmania JackJumpers vs Illawarra Hawks Prediction & Betting Tips: NBL26 Round 18
More Injury Blows for JackJumpers
The NBL26 season enters a critical juncture this Saturday night at MyState Bank Arena as the Tasmania JackJumpers host the Illawarra Hawks in a high-stakes Round 18 clash. The JackJumpers find themselves in a precarious position following a bruising 105–94 loss to the Sydney Kings on Thursday. Already reeling from the loss of star centre Will Magnay to a season-ending foot injury, Tasmania’s depth was further decimated in Sydney. Majok Deng suffered a concussion just seconds into the contest and has been ruled out for Saturday, while leading scorer Bryce Hamilton remains a game-time decision after sustaining a knee injury. Currently sitting sixth with a 12–15 record, Scott Roth’s men are dangerously thin in the frontcourt, leaving them vulnerable against a physical opponent.
Do or Die for Hawks
The Illawarra Hawks arrive in Hobart with their title defence on life support. Despite entering the season as defending champions, the Hawks have endured a disappointing campaign and currently languish in eighth place with an 8–16 record. This match represents a "do-or-die" scenario for Justin Tatum’s side if they are to have any hope of a late surge into the top six. The Hawks are desperate to snap a three-game losing streak, with their most recent setback being a hard-fought five-point loss to the Perth Wildcats. Unlike their opponents, the Hawks boast a relatively healthy roster, providing them with a significant athletic advantage over the battered JackJumpers.
Recent H2H History
Recent head-to-head history suggests another tight encounter is on the cards, with the season series currently locked at 1–1. The most recent meeting was a New Year’s Eve thriller in Wollongong, where the Hawks secured a 92–90 victory behind the interior dominance of JaVale McGee and Sam Froling. Tasmania took the earlier meeting of the season, prevailing 91–86. With both teams desperate for points to keep their respective postseason dreams alive, this third instalment of the rivalry will likely be decided by who can better navigate the pressure of the final five rounds.
JackJumpers or Hawks? Here’s Our Tip!
Considering the JackJumpers' dire injury situation, the Hawks are well-placed to capitalise on the lack of rim protection. Without Magnay or Deng to anchor the middle, Tasmania will struggle to contain the Hawks' size in the paint. While MyState Bank Arena is a difficult environment for visiting teams, the depth issues facing the hosts are simply too significant to ignore. Expect the defending champions to lean on their superior health and frontline strength to dictate the tempo. Consequently, look for the Illawarra Hawks to secure a vital road win and cover the -4.5 spread as they fight to keep their season alive.
Illawarra Hawks –4.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
JackJumpers vs Hawks 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 JackJumpers vs Hawks clash that you can follow via the link below! You can also learn more about Dabble’s Pick’Em feature here.
- Josh Bannan 17 Points (MORE)
- David Johnson 15 Points (MORE)
- Sam Froling 13 Points (MORE)
Dabble Pick‘Em Odds Multiplier: 6.5x ($10 to win $65) - Click here to get involved!
JackJumpers vs Hawks Betting Odds & Match Info
Date: Saturday, January 24th, 2026
Time: 8:00pm AEDT
Location: MyState Bank Arena, Tasmania
Odds: JackJumpers $2.75 vs Hawks $1.46
Line: Hawks –5.5
Points: 175.5
Where to Watch JackJumpers vs Hawks
You can watch the JackJumpers vs Hawks clash live and ad-free on Kayo Sports.
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