NBL Tips & Predictions – Round 12

<p>With the NBA stealing most of the headlines as always around this time of year, it’s sometimes easy to forget that our homegrown heroes can also ball out.</p> <p>Australia’s very own NBL is full of exciting young talent looking to take the next step in their basketball careers.</p> <p>It is also a tightly contested league making it extremely intriguing from a punting perspective.</p> <p>Yes, Melbourne United may be out in front at the moment, but there is a log jam behind them with three sides all on nine wins for the season.</p> <p>Need help trying to pick what will transpire in round 12? Check out our NBL tips and prediction below for the latest NBL news, analysis and betting tips.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>New Zealand Breakers vs Sydney Kings Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, December 22, 5:30pm AEDT – Spark Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>After a convincing win over the Taipans last week the Breakers will be looking to mount a second half of the season charge and move up the ladder.</p> <p>Coming up against second placed Sydney this week could halt that charge before it ever really gets going though.</p> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> Sydney Kings.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Cairns Taipans vs SEM Phoenix Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, December 22, 7:30pm AEDT – Cairns Convention Centre</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Cairns bounced back from their loss to New Zealand two days later with a thrilling one-point victory over Queensland rivals Brisbane.</p> <p>Tahjere McCall top scored in that one and if he’s on song again, he should be able to help the Taipans put away the Phoenix at home.</p> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> Cairns Taipans.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Illawarra Hawks vs Tasmania JackJumpers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, December 23, 5:30pm AEDT – WIN Sports &amp; Entertainment Centre</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Hawks are another team looking to build some late season momentum. They’ve won two on the fly, while their fourth placed opponents the JackJumpers have done the opposite.</p> <p>Look to both sides to complete their respective hat-tricks in this one.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> Illawarra Hawks.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne United vs Perth Wildcats Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, December 23, 8:00pm AEDT – John Cain Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The all-conquering Melbourne United will face one of their biggest title threats this weekend in the form of the Perth Wildcats.</p> <p>The Cats are sitting pretty in third and waiting to pounce, but Melbourne are favourites for this season’s NBL crown for a reason.</p> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> Melbourne United.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide 36ers vs Brisbane Bullets Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, December 24, 2:00pm AEDT – Adelaide Entertainment Centre</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>How will Brissy boys the Bullets respond to the one-point heartbreak they suffered against Cairns?</p> <p>It’ll take some effort to pick themselves up, but last placed Adelaide are the perfect opponents to get back into the swing of things against.</p> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> Brisbane Bullets.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Tasmania JackJumpers vs SEM Phoenix Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Monday, December 25, 5:30pm AEDT – MyState Bank Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A Christmas day contest to tune into after the prawns and nan’s potato salad have long been polished off.</p> <p>Which of these two teams will be getting a brand-new Xbox and which will be getting a lump of coal?</p> <p>These sides played out an absolute thriller back in round three, with the Phoenix prevailing by a single point. This time we think it’s Tassie’s turn.</p> <p><strong>Tip: </strong>Tasmanian Jumping Jacks.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney Kings vs Illawarra Hawks Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Monday, December 25, 7:30pm AEDT – Qudos Bank Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Another Christmas cracker to tear into, the Kings host the Hawks as they continue to try and keep the heat on Melbourne United at the top of the table.</p> <p>They’ll need as many wins as they can muster if they want any hope of catching United before season’s end, starting here.</p> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> Sydney Kings.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Cairns Taipans vs Perth Wildcats Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Tuesday, December 26, 7:30pm AEDT – Cairns Convention Centre</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A boxing day battle awaits for both the Taipans and the Wildcats. It’s one hell of a road trip for Perth, one that could very well be their undoing against a Cairns side who get the luxury of back-to-back home games.</p> <p><strong>Tip: </strong>Cairns Taipans.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane Bullets vs New Zealand Breakers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Wednesday, December 27, 7:30pm AEDT – Nissan Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Rounding out this festive feast of NBL are the Bullets and Breakers. Both are running out of time to get wins on the board and make the top 6.</p> <p>With home ground advantage on their side and better recent head-to-head record, we’re backing the Bullets to fire the final shot in this one.</p> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> Brisbane Bullets.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>NBL Championship Odds 2023-24</h2>