NBL26 Round 9 continues on Friday night with a matchup between the Cairns Taipans and the South East Melbourne Phoenix. Tip-off is set for 7:30pm AEDT at the Cairns Convention Centre, and we have you covered with our full game preview and best bet below!
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Cairns Taipans vs South East Melbourne Phoenix Prediction & Betting Tips: NBL26 Round 9
Snakes for the Spoon
The Taipans return home under mounting pressure, carrying a 3-9 record that now stands as the worst in the league after their 17-point loss to the Hawks in Round 8. What has become most concerning for Cairns is the consistency of their heavy defeats: seven of their nine losses have come by margins of 15 points or more, highlighting structural issues at both ends of the floor. Their offence continues to struggle to generate reliable scoring runs, and without multiple strong ball-handling options, they frequently find themselves disrupted before sets can properly develop. Combined with difficulty absorbing opposition physicality, the Taipans enter this matchup looking for answers at a critical point in their season.
Phoenix Matchup Well
The Phoenix, meanwhile, sit in a far stronger position despite their recent stumble. Their 11-point defeat to United halted a five-game winning streak, but at 7-3 they remain third on the ladder and continue to demonstrate one of the most balanced profiles in the competition. South East Melbourne’s defensive intensity has been a defining feature of their rise this season, with their rotations, physical presence, and activity on the perimeter causing ongoing problems for opponents. While the loss to United offered reminders of areas to tighten—particularly in half-court execution—the Phoenix still carry the form, cohesion, and depth to respond quickly.
Recent H2H History
Head-to-head history strongly favours South East Melbourne, and recent results underline the gap between these teams. Their Round 1 encounter was one-way traffic, with the Phoenix delivering a 37-point demolition in Melbourne. Their full-court press suffocated the Taipans from the opening tip, exposing Cairns’ lack of reliable primary and secondary handlers as turnover after turnover fed the Phoenix transition machine. It wasn’t an isolated performance either: the Phoenix have now won four consecutive games against the Taipans, often by significant margins, and their pressure-first identity has consistently matched up well against Cairns’ weaknesses.
Taipans or Phoenix? Here’s Our Tip!
Given the trends, momentum, and matchup profile, the Phoenix appear well-placed to rebound immediately from their recent loss and reassert themselves against an opponent they have historically controlled. Cairns will need a dramatic improvement in composure, ball security, and half-court execution to stay competitive, but nothing from their recent outings suggests they are close to producing that level of refinement. With their defence primed to again target Cairns’ fragile handling and their offence operating with far greater structure, South East Melbourne look positioned to pull away comfortably. The Phoenix covering the –7.5 spread feels the most likely outcome, with their pressure and depth expected to overwhelm a Taipans side still searching for stability.
Phoenix –7.5
$1.85 (1.5 Units)
Taipans vs Phoenix Betting Odds & Match Info
Date: Friday, November 14th, 2025
Time: 7:30pm AEDT
Location: Cairns Convention Centre
Odds: Taipans $3.40 vs Phoenix $1.33
Line: Phoenix –8.5
Points: 185.5
Where to Watch Taipans vs Phoenix
You can watch the Taipans vs Phoenix clash live and ad-free on Kayo Sports.
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