NBL Tips and Predictions – Round 7 2026

It's Rookie Round in the NBL this week, but there's nothing new about who's on top.

The Tasmania JackJumpers made it back-to-back wins with a 106-85 thumping of Brisbane last Wednesday. At 6-2, they're still the team to catch.

Perth (5-2) are right behind them after Brandon Knight hit the game-winner to sink Melbourne United 103-102 at RAC Arena.

Sydney (5-3) put 108 on Illawarra in Wollongong, with Andrew Carr pulling down a whopping 20 rebounds. Three nights later, Cole Anthony dropped 30 on them at John Cain Arena.

Then it's a logjam. Cairns are 5-4, Brisbane are 4-4, and New Zealand, Adelaide, the Phoenix and United are all 4-5.

United have now lost four games by two points or fewer. If there were a ladder for near misses, they'd be on top of it by a mile.

Nine games, eight teams playing twice and a Monday night finish on Melbourne Cup Eve. Who's going to handle the workload best?

Let's find out who's going to bring home the bag in Round 7. For the latest NBL news, analysis, and odds, check out our expert NBL Round 7 tips and predictions below.

Perth Wildcats vs Sydney Kings Prediction

Wednesday, October 28, 9:30pm AEDT – RAC Arena

It's been 11 days since these two last met, and Perth won't have forgotten it.

The Kings won 102-81 in Sydney, ending the Wildcats' four-game winning streak in the process.

Perth are 5-1 at home this season, and Kristian Doolittle went within two assists of a triple-double against United, with 23 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.

But look a little closer at that home record. Two of the five wins came by a single point, against Adelaide and United.

Sydney are on the third leg of a four-game road trip and coming off a loss in Melbourne. Kendric Davis had 23 points and 14 assists against the Hawks, though, and this Kings side has more depth than anyone.

It's an Ignite Cup game too, so there's a bit extra on the line. We're sticking with the Kings.

Betting tip: Sydney Kings.

Brisbane Bullets vs Cairns Taipans Prediction

Thursday, October 29, 8:00pm AEDT – Brisbane Entertainment Centre

The Queensland derby is back for the second time this month.

Cairns won the first one 97-91 in Cairns on October 8, and they edged the Breakers 86-84 on Sunday. Jaylin Galloway marked his return with 18 points.

The Bullets bounced back from a 21-point loss in Hobart to beat Illawarra 98-81 on Saturday. Nate Hinton led the way with 21 points.

New signing Raul Neto has slotted straight in too, dishing out six assists on debut against Tasmania.

The Snakes are 3-0 at home, but just 2-4 on the road. Brisbane are 3-1 at home.

That road record is enough for us. We'll take the Bullets.

Betting tip: Brisbane Bullets.

New Zealand Breakers vs Adelaide 36ers Prediction

Friday, October 30, 5:30pm AEDT – Spark Arena

The Breakers have been two different teams this season.

They're 2-0 at home and 2-5 everywhere else, and two of their last three road losses have come by six points or fewer.

Reuben Te Rangi brought up 400 NBL games in Sunday's loss in Cairns, and he gets to celebrate it in front of a home crowd this time.

Adelaide arrive after a 108-94 loss to the Phoenix. Bryce Cotton scored 37, but the Sixers were down 42-25 after one quarter and never recovered.

New Zealand already know they can beat Adelaide, too. They won 88-72 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on October 4. Back at Spark Arena, we like the Breakers.

Betting tip: New Zealand Breakers.

Tasmania JackJumpers vs Sydney Kings Prediction

Friday, October 30, 7:30pm AEDT – Silverdome

The ladder leaders head to Launceston for the first game of a weekend double.

Josh Bannan had 22 points and nine rebounds in the win over a short-handed Brisbane, and the JackJumpers are 4-1 at home this season.

Sydney fly in from Perth after a Wednesday night game, which makes this two road games in three days, on opposite sides of the country.

The Kings have the talent to win anywhere, but that's a tough schedule for anyone. We're backing the JackJumpers at home.

Betting tip: Tasmania JackJumpers.

Cairns Taipans vs Melbourne United Prediction

Saturday, October 31, 7:30pm AEDT – Cairns Convention Centre

Cairns already have one win over United this season, 107-95 at John Cain Arena on October 3.

The Taipans are unbeaten at home, and they're coming off a gritty two-point win over the Breakers.

United arrive with some momentum, though. Anthony had 30 points, six rebounds and nine assists against the Kings, and Luke Travers had 26 points, nine rebounds and five assists in Perth two nights earlier.

Melbourne's road record (3-2) is also a lot better than their home record.

It's close, but we'll stick with the Snakes at home.

Betting tip: Cairns Taipans.

Perth Wildcats vs Illawarra Hawks Prediction

Saturday, October 31, 9:30pm AEDT – RAC Arena

The Hawks are 2-8, and they've lost their last two by a combined 43 points.

Defence is the problem. Illawarra have conceded 1,051 points in 10 games, which works out at just over 105 a night.

Makur Maker has been the bright spot. He had 24 points and seven rebounds against the Kings.

Perth have this one at home as well, so there's no travel between their two games this week.

Can the Hawks pinch one in the west? We don’t think so. 

Betting tip: Perth Wildcats.

South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Tasmania JackJumpers Prediction

Sunday, November 1, 3:00pm AEDT – John Cain Arena

The Phoenix were red hot against Adelaide. They hit 10 threes in the first quarter, raced out to a 42-25 lead and won 108-94. That's back-to-back home wins by 32 and 14 points.

The JackJumpers, meanwhile, will be backing up from Friday night in Launceston, with a flight across Bass Strait in between.

If the Phoenix shoot anywhere near as well as they did last weekend, they'll take some stopping. We'll take the Phoenix.

Betting tip: South East Melbourne Phoenix.

Adelaide 36ers vs Brisbane Bullets Prediction

Sunday, November 1, 5:00pm AEDT – Adelaide Entertainment Centre

Adelaide have one of the stranger records in the league. They're 1-2 at home and 3-3 on the road, with wins in Sydney and Hobart.

Cotton has scored 35 and 37 in his last two games, although the Sixers will be coming off Friday's trip to Auckland.

Brisbane are 1-3 on the road, and this is the back end of a double after Thursday's derby.

We fancy the Sixers to get it done at home.

Betting tip: Adelaide 36ers.

Melbourne United vs New Zealand Breakers Prediction

Monday, November 2, 7:30pm AEDT – John Cain Arena

Round 7 wraps up on Melbourne Cup Eve. United had to wait until their fourth home game to get a win at John Cain Arena, and they did it by beating the Kings.

Both sides will be on their second game of the round. United fly home from Cairns, while the Breakers have a few days to recover after Friday's game in Auckland.

New Zealand are 2-5 away from home, though, and these two haven't met yet this season.

With the home hoodoo finally broken, we reckon United go back-to-back at home.

Betting tip: Melbourne United.

*Odds are subject to change.