Round 16 of NBL26 continues on Thursday night when the high-flying South East Melbourne Phoenix host the lowly Illawarra Hawks at the State Basketball Centre. The Phoenix are looking to improve their standing in the top 2 with another win, while the Hawks are trying to push towards a Play-In berth. Catch our full preview, best bet, and Dabble Pick’Em below!
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South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Illawarra Hawks Prediction & Betting Tips: NBL26 Round 16
High-Flying Phoenix
South East Melbourne Phoenix enter this NBL26 Round 16 matchup riding a wave of momentum and confidence. Currently sitting second on the ladder at 15–7, the Phoenix have surged into contention as one of the competition’s most dangerous sides. Their latest performance was a statement road win over the Kings, prevailing 124–117 in a high-quality contest that underlined their balance and composure away from home. That victory made it two wins on the bounce and five victories from their past six games, a stretch that has firmly placed them in the conversation as the form team of the league. With their season now well established, the Phoenix are playing with clarity and purpose at both ends of the floor.
What to Make of the Hawks?
Illawarra Hawks come into the game with renewed belief of their own, even if their overall position remains challenging. The Hawks are seventh on the ladder at 8–13, three wins adrift of the JackJumpers in sixth as they continue to push for a late-season finals surge. They are coming off an impressive 18-point win against the Taipans, a game in which they were able to break things open late and assert control. Crucially, that result marked their second straight win after previously dropping three in a row, giving the Hawks some much-needed momentum and a reminder of what they are capable of when their execution improves.
Recent H2H History
Recent head-to-head meetings between these sides highlight just how unpredictable this matchup can be. When they last faced off in Wollongong, it was the Hawks who emerged victorious by four points in overtime, grinding out a tough win on their home floor. That result came after a vastly different encounter earlier in the season, when the Phoenix dominated at home with a commanding 40-point victory.
Phoenix or Hawks? Here’s Our Tip!
Despite Illawarra’s improved form, this matchup shapes as a strong opportunity for South East Melbourne to continue their run. The Phoenix’s consistency over the past month, combined with their recent success against quality opposition, gives them a clear edge. With confidence high and their system clicking, South East Melbourne look well placed to control the game for long periods. Expect the Phoenix to justify their status as favourites and cover the -6.5 spread.
SE Melbourne Phoenix –6.5
$1.95 (1.5 Units)
Phoenix vs Hawks Dabble Pick‘Em
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- Nathan Sobey 23.5 Points (LESS)
- Angus Glover 11 Points (LESS)
- Tyler Harvey 22 Points + Rebounds + Assists (MORE)
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Phoenix vs Hawks Betting Odds & Match Info
Date: Thursday, January 8th, 2026
Time: 7:30pm AEDT
Location: State Basketball Centre, Melbourne
Odds: Phoenix $1.42 vs Hawks $2.85
Line: Phoenix -6.5
Points: 190.5
Where to Watch Phoenix vs Hawks
You can watch the Phoenix vs Hawks clash live and ad-free on Kayo Sports.
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