NBL Tips and Predictions – Round 4 2026

NBL Round 4 is shaping up as this season’s most revealing week yet. The Sydney Kings carry an unbeaten 3-0 record into the round, led by Kendric Davis's superstar form of 27.0 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per night. 

Adelaide 36ers face a brutal back-to-back against Melbourne United and Sydney, compounding their injury and scoring woes just as Corey Webster arrives to help.

The Illawarra Hawks need to make the most of two home fixtures to avoid slipping further off the pace at 1-4. 

Elsewhere, Parker Jackson-Cartwright continues to build an MVP case, while Perth's Elijah Pepper brings a three-game scoring streak into a high-stakes RAC Arena showdown with New Zealand.

Let’s find out who’s going to bring home the bag in Round 4. For the latest NBL news, analysis, and odds, check out our expert NBL Round 4 tips and predictions below.

Adelaide 36ers vs Melbourne United Prediction

Wednesday, October 7, 7:30pm AEDT – Adelaide Entertainment Centre 

NBL Round 4 tips off with the Adelaide 36ers hosting Melbourne United on Wednesday night. 

With Flynn Cameron and Isaac Humphries both sidelined, the 36ers are averaging just 88.2 points per game, the second fewest in the league. 

Newly signed Corey Webster (18.7 points, 3.4 assists, 40.2% from three in the NZNBL) could provide the shooting relief Adelaide desperately need, though his availability is yet to be confirmed. 

Melbourne United come in buoyed by Cole Anthony's 40-point explosion in Round 3, but they'll need more from Luke Travers (10.3 points) and Sam Waardenburg (6.3 points) with Chris Goulding still sidelined.

In terms of a tip, we like Melbourne United to win. Adelaide's injury list and misfiring offence seem too significant to overcome for us. 

Betting tip: Melbourne United. 

Cairns Taipans vs Brisbane Bullets Prediction

Thursday, October 8, 7:30pm AEDT – Cairns Convention Centre

Both sides need a win here to stay in touch with the top half of the ladder. Cairns have been playing some of their best basketball at home this season and will look to their experienced backcourt to control the pace. 

Brisbane, sitting at 2-2, have enough talent to be competitive on the road but have shown inconsistency away from their own floor. 

Taran Armstrong has been one of Brisbane's more reliable contributors and will need to lead the scoring if the Bullets are to upset on the road.

Betting tip: Cairns Taipans. 

Illawarra Hawks vs Tasmania JackJumpers Prediction

Friday, October 9, 7:30pm AEDT – WIN Entertainment Centre

Illawarra sit at 1-4 and have been beaten away from home in every road fixture this season. 

Tasmania arrive as one of the competition's most disciplined outfits, holding opponents to just 43.3% shooting, the second-lowest rate in the league. 

Will Magnay leads the NBL in blocks at 2.8 per game while averaging 17.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists, making him the most complete two-way presence in this matchup. 

Arnas Velička has added scoring punch off the bench for the JackJumpers, who continue to find ways to win despite carrying a depleted roster.

Tasmania JackJumpers are heavy favourites for a reason and Magnay's rim protection and team defence should be too much for a struggling Illawarra side.

Betting tip: Tasmania JackJumpers.

South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Melbourne United Prediction

Saturday, October 10, 7:30pm AEDT – John Cain Arena

Melbourne United face a quick turnaround after Wednesday's Adelaide clash and travel across the city to face a Phoenix side that continues to hover around the play-in zone. 

Cole Anthony is averaging enormous numbers but needs Travers and Waardenburg to step up alongside him, back-to-back fixtures will expose United's depth if they don't. 

South East Melbourne's Nick Rakocevic has been one of the more quietly consistent contributors in the competition and will look to cause problems in the paint against an undermanned United frontcourt.

Betting tip: South East Melbourne. 

Perth Wildcats vs New Zealand Breakers Prediction

Saturday, October 10, 9:30pm AEDT – RAC Arena

This is the standout clash of NBL Round 4. Parker Jackson-Cartwright is averaging 26.6 points, 9.6 assists, and 4.4 rebounds and has been as hot as anyone in the competition, coming off a 27-point, 10-assist, 9-rebound performance against Adelaide. 

DJ Vasiljevic provides dangerous spacing alongside him, giving the Breakers one of the most potent backcourts in the NBL. 

Perth counter with Elijah Pepper, who has posted three consecutive 25-point games and is averaging 23.5 per game, plus Kristian Doolittle's versatile all-round game of 17.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 6.0 assists.

The Breakers will be hard to stop, even on the road, with Jackson-Cartwright's form the likely point of difference in what should be a high-quality game.

Betting tip: New Zealand Breakers.

Sydney Kings vs Adelaide 36ers Prediction

Sunday, October 11, 3:00pm AEDT – Afterpay Arena

The Kings are the only unbeaten side in the competition at 3-0, and Kendric Davis has been almost unfairly good, averaging 27.0 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.7 rebounds in just 30.8 minutes a night. 

Adelaide arrive here having played Melbourne United just days earlier, short on depth and carrying the same offensive struggles that have plagued them all season. 

We’re sure Cotton will give everything as always, but the 36ers' road back-to-back against the league leader is as tough as it gets.

The Kings are well placed to extend their unbeaten start here with Adelaide’s defence missing key personnel giving the free-scoring Davis plenty of room to operate.

Betting tip: Sydney Kings. 

Illawarra Hawks vs Cairns Taipans Prediction

Sunday, October 11, 5:00pm AEDT – WIN Entertainment Centre

The final game of NBL Round 4 sees Illawarra play a second home game inside 48 hours, this time against a Cairns side playing their second match of the round after Thursday's Queensland derby. 

The Hawks are desperate for wins, but their 1-4 record tells the story of a side that has yet to find its groove at either end of the floor. 

The Taipans are the more cohesive unit right now, though fatigue from a quick back-to-back could level the contest. Keep an eye on Cairns's rotation management heading into game day.

A weary Cairns outfit facing a desperate but limited Illawarra side could produce a lower-scoring, scrappier contest than the market anticipates.

We fancy the Taipans to get the job done despite fatigue, though Illawarra's home crowd and extra rest could make this tighter than expected.

Betting tip: Cairns Taipans.