With just over a month of regular season NBL action remaining, it’s officially now or never for some teams if they want to make the playoffs.
Teams like the Taipans and the Phoenix need to start making their move now if they are to crack the top six and take part in the postseason.
Elsewhere, there is a mouthwatering top four matchup between Melbourne United and the Tasmania JackJumpers.
For more on that match, as well as the latest NBL news, analysis, and odds for round 16, check out our NBL tips and predictions below.
SEM Phoenix vs Adelaide 36ers Prediction
Wednesday, January 17, 7:30pm AEDT – John Cain Arena
A run of three straight losses has the Phoenix in danger of missing out on the playoffs.
They’ve plummeted to eighth on the ladder and if they fail to beat bottom of the pile Adelaide here, we’re calling time on their season.
Luckily for them, we don’t think that will be the case, particularly at home.
Tip: SEM Phoenix.
Illawarra Hawks vs Cairns Taipans Prediction
Thursday, January 18, 7:30pm AEDT – Win Sport & Entertainment Centre
The Hawks are in the interesting position of being in the playoff places and having up to three games in hand on some of the other teams in the NBL.
Their opponents this week, the Taipans, are one of those teams. Never mind the games in hand, we’re predicting Illawarra to have more points in hand too after this one.
Tip: Illawarra Hawks.
Tasmania JackJumpers vs Melbourne United Prediction
Friday, January 19, 7:30pm AEDT – MyState Bank Arena
The headline match of NBL round 16 sees the Tasmania JackJumpers welcome table toppers Melbourne United to MyState Bank Arena on Friday night.
Both sides were on either side of a one-point result last week, with United beating the Breakers 82-81 and Tassie going down 108-107 to Illawarra in overtime.
Could we see another nail biter here? We think so. We’re backing big dogs United to sneak home here in a thriller.
Tip: Melbourne United.
Perth Wildcats vs Brisbane Bullets Prediction
Friday, January 19, 9:30pm AEDT – RAC Arena
The Wildcats are purring and have won four in a row to keep their mathematical chances of catching Melbourne United at the top of the table alive.
They’ll have to be pretty much perfect from here until season’s end if they want any chance of claiming top spot and we don’t see them slipping up at home here.
Tip: Perth Wildcats.
New Zealand Breakers vs SEM Phoenix Prediction
Saturday, January 20, 5:30pm AEDT – Spark Arena
New Zealand will be looking to bounce back from a one-point heartbreaker against United last week when they welcome the NBL’s other Melbourne franchise across the ditch.
They may have just fallen short against United in dramatic scenes, but we think they’ll extract some revenge on Victoria as a whole with a win here against South-East Melbourne.
Tip: New Zealand Breakers.
Illawarra Hawks vs Adelaide 36ers Prediction
Saturday, January 20, 8:00pm AEDT – Win Sport & Entertainment Centre
This is one of the numerous games the Illawarra Hawks currently have in hand and it’s one they can use to increase their buffer between them and seventh place.
Playing bottom of the table on your home court is as good as it gets in this league, and we expect the Hawks to take full advantage here.
Tip: Illawarra Hawks.
Sydney Kings vs Perth Wildcats Prediction
Sunday, January 21, 2:00pm AEDT – Qudos Bank Arena
The penultimate game of round 16 of the NBL is another blockbuster, with two top four sides in the Sydney Kings and the Perth Wildcats going head-to-head.
Jaylen Adam’s continues to star for Sydney with 39 points in their last game, while Perth’s main man and one of the all-time NBL greats Bryce Cotton continues to get it done for the Wildcats.
He’s posted over 30 points in his last two games and his battle with Adam’s is one not to be missed. A battle we’re backing him and the Wildcats to ultimately get the best of.
Tip: Perth Wildcats.
Cairns Taipans vs Brisbane Bullets Prediction
Sunday, January 21, 4:00pm AEDT – Cairns Convention Centre
A Queensland derby concludes round 16 of the NBL as the Taipans welcome the Brisbane Bullets to Cairns on Sunday afternoon.
This fixture is always a fan-favourite for basketball enthusiasts in the Sunshine State and we think it will be Brisbane’s fans who are a little more enthusiastic about the result of this one come full-time.
Tip: Brisbane Bullets.