NBL Tips & Predictions – Round 17

<p>It’s happening, it’s really happening. After looking untouchable all season, the once mighty Melbourne United are on the precipice of being reeled in.</p> <p>After their heavy defeat to the JackJumpers last week, the second-placed Wildcats are just one win behind them.</p> <p>With just four weeks to go until the playoffs, will they get caught or will they hold strong and secure the minor premiership?</p> <p>They’re in action twice this week, so for analysis of those two matches as well as the latest NBL news and odds for round 17, check out our NBL tips and predictions below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>SEM Phoenix vs Sydney Kings Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, January 25, 7:30pm AEDT – John Cain Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The inconsistent Sydney Kings are in danger of slipping out of the playoff places should they continue to falter.</p> <p>They lost last week to leave the door open for both the Taipans and the Breakers, but luckily, they have the last-placed Phoenix this week. A win here should help secure their playoffs position.</p> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-aus-other/australian-nbl/s-e-melbourne-phoenix-v-sydney-kings-7945602">Sydney Kings.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Perth Wildcats vs Illawarra Hawks Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, January 25, 9:30pm AEDT – RAC Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Hawks failed to make the most of their two games last week and lost both to leave their finals hopes in disarray.</p> <p>Now they have to face the Wildcats who are on a roll and have first place in their sights.</p> <p>With a legitimate chance of catching Melbourne United before the end of the season, we don’t see Perth slipping up now.</p> <p><strong>Tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-aus-other/australian-nbl/perth-wildcats-v-illawarra-hawks-7945830">Perth Wildcats.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>New Zealand Breakers vs Tasmania JackJumpers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, January 26, 5:30pm AEDT – Spark Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Tasmania JackJumpers became the latest team to scalp the once unbeatable Melbourne United and they did it in some style.</p> <p>Their resounding 21-point victory was spearheaded by Jack McVeigh and Jordon Crawford who combined for nearly 50 of their sides 107 points.</p> <p>Look to these two to star again and for Tassie to get the best of the Breakers.</p> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-aus-other/australian-nbl/new-zealand-breakers-v-tasmania-jackjumpers-7947411">Tasmania JackJumpers.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane Bullets vs Melbourne United Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, January 26, 7:30pm AEDT – Nissan Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Can the Bullets become the next NBL side to bounce United? A strong month has seen Brisbane rocket into the top four on the back of five wins in their last six games.</p> <p>They’ll fancy their chances of upsetting Melbourne in this one and frankly so do we..</p> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-aus-other/australian-nbl/brisbane-bullets-v-melbourne-united-7947397">Brisbane Bullets.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide 36ers vs Cairns Taipans Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, January 27, 5:30pm AEDT – Adelaide Entertainment Centre</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>They’re most likely not going to make the playoffs, but at least the Adelaide 36ers are off the foot of the ladder after four wins in their last five.</p> <p>Point guard Trey Kell has been at the forefront of this revival, putting up some serious numbers and if he’s on song again, there’s no reason they can’t get the best of a Cairns’ side coming off a Queensland derby defeat.</p> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-aus-other/australian-nbl/adelaide-36ers-v-cairns-taipans-7947410">Adelaide 36ers.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>SEM Phoenix vs Perth Wildcats Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, January 27, 8:00pm AEDT – John Cain Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>For the 36ers to move off the bottom of the table, someone had to take their place.</p> <p>Unfortunately for South-East Melbourne fans that was the Phoenix and that’s where they’ll most likely stay after this match against a Perth side with top spot in their sights.</p> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> Perth Wildcats.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Illawarra Hawks vs New Zealand Breakers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, January 28, 2:00pm AEDT – WIN Sports Entertainment Centre</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Side-by-side in the standings, this should be a tightly contested affair. Both the Hawks and the Breakers have three games in hand on the sixth placed Taipans and will need to win most of them if they want to play finals.</p> <p>Therefore, this is a huge game in the context of both clubs’ seasons and could very well be the match of the round, with home court advantage really the only thing separating these two here.</p> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> Illawarra Hawks.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney Kings vs Melbourne United Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, January 28, 4:00pm AEDT – Qudos Bank Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The final game of NBL round 17 sees the Sydney Kings entertain Melbourne United. Both sides play earlier in round 17, so effective recovery will be key here.</p> <p>Jaylen Adams continues to shine for Sydney, but he can’t do it on his own, with his 29 points last week not enough to see off the Wildcats.</p> <p>If United can contain him, they’ll go a long way to winning this game and getting back to being the most feared team in the comp.</p> <p><strong>Tip: </strong>Melbourne United.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>NBL 2023-24 Championship Odds</h2>