The NBL26 Semi Finals move to Victoria this Saturday evening as the South East Melbourne Phoenix host the Adelaide 36ers in a do or die Game 2. Adelaide secured the opening victory, leaving the Phoenix desperate to protect their home floor. Get our full preview and best bet below.
Phoenix vs 36ers Prediction and Betting Tips: NBL26 Playoff Series Game 2
The Hungry Jack's NBL26 postseason continues at John Cain Arena this Saturday at 5:30pm AEDT. Adelaide hold a one game advantage in this best of three series, while South East Melbourne are fighting for survival to force a deciding Game 3.
Adelaide enter full of confidence after pulling away late in Game 1. Despite getting dominated on the offensive glass, the 36ers relied on extreme backcourt scoring efficiency. They cannot rely solely on perimeter shooting again and need a much stronger collective effort in the paint to withstand the inevitable Phoenix response.
South East Melbourne return home staring down elimination. They fought valiantly in the opener, securing an incredible 21 offensive rebounds, but poor shooting cost them the match. The home crowd will provide a massive boost to their high energy style, but they must capitalise on second chance opportunities and improve their perimeter defence to level the series.
Adelaide's struggles on the boards in Game 1 are a major red flag, and an over reliance on isolation scoring is difficult to sustain on the road in the playoffs.
The Phoenix will play with utter desperation to save their season. Their relentless offensive rebounding should eventually translate to scoreboard pressure. Expect South East Melbourne to bounce back with improved shooting at home and pull away late to drag this series to a third game.
South East Melbourne Phoenix -5.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
Phoenix vs 36ers Betting Odds & Match Info
Date: Saturday, March 14th, 2026
Time: 5:30pm AEDT
Location: John Cain Arena, Melbourne
Odds: Phoenix $1.48 vs 36ers $2.70
Line: Phoenix -5.5
Points: 190.5
Where to Watch 36ers vs Phoenix
You can watch the 36ers vs Phoenix live and ad-free on Kayo Sports.
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