<p>After coming up trumps in a top of the table battle against Melbourne United last week, the Illawarra Hawks now sit atop of the NBL standings.</p> <p>They have also claimed favouritism in our overall<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-aus-other/australian-nbl/nbl-championship-2024-25-8491640"> NBL Championship Winner</a> market. Can they keep the good times rolling in NBL round 13 and stay top of the pops?</p> <p>Elsewhere NBL GOAT Bryce Cotton continues to do superhuman things, becoming just the third man in history to drop 40+ points in four straight games.</p> <p>The other big story heading into round 13 are the defending champs the Tasmania JackJumpers. After a disastrous start to their title defence, they’re up to fifth with five straight wins to their name.</p> <p>Can they, the Hawks and Cotton all maintain the rage in NBL round 13? Let’s find out! For the latest NBL news, analysis and odds, check out our NBL round 13 tips and predictions below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>New Zealand Breakers vs Sydney Kings Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, December 20, 5:30pm AEDT – Spark Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Breakers are broken it seems and after an electric start to the season have now lost six on the spin.</p> <p>They lost last week to the 36ers who were staring down five straight losses of their own, in worrying scenes for the New Zealand faithful.</p> <p>The acquisition of Tacko Fall has done little to stop the bleeding for the Breakers and they are essentially unbackable this week against a Sydney side who seem to thoroughly enjoying their basketball of late.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Sydney Kings.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane Bullets vs Cairns Taipans Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, December 20, 7:30pm AEDT – Brisbane Entertainment Centre</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Bullets mini revival came to an end last week against the Kings, but they are short odds to immediately bounce back here in NBL round 13.</p> <p>Their adversaries this week, the Taipans have lost a staggering 12 games on the bounce. Are they set to make it 13 in round 13? It looks very likely.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Brisbane Bullets.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>S.E Melbourne Phoenix vs Adelaide 36ers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, December 21, 8:00pm AEDT – John Cain Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>One of the harder to predict match ups of NBL round 13 sees the S.E Melbourne Phoenix take on the Adelaide 36ers.</p> <p>Both have struggled for consistency so far this season, but they both registered a much-needed win last time out.</p> <p>For Adelaide it was a drought-busting win, their first in four, while the Phoenix picked up their third in their last five.</p> <p>At home and with a taste of the Play-In places on their pallet, we’re picking South-east Melbourne to send Adelaide back to the loser’s circle.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>S.E Melbourne Phoenix.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Illawarra Hawks vs Perth Wildcats Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, December 22, 2:30pm AET – WIN Entertainment Centre</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>There’s a new NBL Championship favourite in town and they're called the Illawarra Hawks.</p> <p>They dethroned Melbourne United of both first place and title favouritism in their top of the table clash last time out. Can anyone stop them from here on out?</p> <p>If anyone can, it’s four-time MVP Bryce Cotton. Last week against the Taipans he came the first man since the legendary Andrew Gaze in 1991 to score 40+ in four consecutive games. MVP number five loading?</p> <p>While we’re expecting another superhuman performance for king Cotton, we are unsure if even that will be enough to stop Illawarra.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Illawarra Hawks.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne United vs Tasmania JackJumpers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Monday, December 23, 7:30pm AEDT – John Cain Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>What a way to spend a Monday night. Last season’s two finalists meet again when Melbourne United welcome the Tasmania JackJumpers to John Cain Arena.</p> <p>Can United bounce back after losing top spot to the Hawks last week? Well, this isn’t exactly the best fixture for redemption.</p> <p>Tassie are arguably the hottest side in the NBL, doing a full 180 after a disastrous start to the season.</p> <p>They’ve now got five in a row under their belt and will be licking their lips at the prospect of getting to play this version of United.</p> <p>Melbourne has lost three in a row, their spot at the summit of the standings and all confidence it seems. Will they lose this game too? Watch this space.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Tasmania JackJumpers.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide 36ers vs Brisbane Bullets Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Tuesday, December 24, 5:30pm AEDT – Adelaide Entertainment Centre</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A Christmas Eve battle awaits both the 36ers and the Bullets on Tuesday. Who will unwrap their presents a day early? And who will be left with nothing but a lump of coal?&nbsp; We’re going presents for the Brissy boys and coal for Adelaide.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Brisbane Bullets.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Tasmania JackJumpers vs New Zealand Breakers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Wednesday, December 25, 6:00pm AEDT – Mystate Bank Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The first of the NBL’s two Christmas crackers this year sees the JackJumpers host the Breakers in the battle of the contrasting form lines.</p> <p>Tassie can do no wrong at the moment and NZ can’t get anything right. They’ve essentially traded places on the ladder from earlier in the year.</p> <p>The broken Breakers are unbackable at the moment, we’ll be taking Tassie here.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Tasmania JackJumpers.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney Kings vs Illawarra Hawks Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Wednesday, December 25, 8:30pm AEDT – Qudos Bank Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A truly tasty Christmas clash here to end NBL round 13. The Kings welcome the high-flying Hawks to town in what should be a lively encounter.</p> <p>Who will shake off the Christmas lunch food coma first and fire? While it will largely depend on what happens during their fixtures earlier in the week, as things stand, Illawarra are the team to beat here and everywhere at the moment.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Illawarra Hawks.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>NBL 2024-25 Championship Odds</h2>