NBL Tips & Predictions – Round 18

<p>With just three rounds of NBL action left there’s still everything to play for. The makeup of the top six still needs to be decided and the continuation of Melbourne United’s recent decline has left the door ajar for Perth to steal top spot before the playoffs.</p> <p>Don’t forget the battle for the dreaded wooden spoon either, there’s still at least three sides that realistically can finish dead last.</p> <p>You won’t want to miss a moment of the run into the playoffs, with so many storylines left to play out.</p> <p>For analysis of all of this week’s matches, as well as the latest NBL news and odds for round 18, check out our NBL tips and predictions below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Cairns Taipans vs Tasmania JackJumpers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, February 1, 7:30pm AEDT – Cairns Convention Centre</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Taipans are one of those teams scrambling for a place in the playoffs. They currently sit just outside of the final’s places, equal with sixth placed Illawarra on 11 wins.</p> <p>However, they have an inferior points difference, and the Hawks have two games in hand on them.</p> <p>A loss here to Tassie all but spells the end for Cairns in season 2023-24 and the way the JackJumpers have been playing of late, we think it will be curtains for the Far North Queenslanders at full-time of this one.</p> <p><strong>Tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-aus-other/australian-nbl/cairns-taipans-v-tasmania-jackjumpers-7963891">Tasmania JackJumpers.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide 36ers vs Sydney Kings Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, February 2, 7:30pm AEDT – Adelaide Entertainment Centre</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Sydney Kings are holding onto fourth place on the ladder by points difference alone.</p> <p>The Brisbane Bullets are bearing them down, but this week playing a lowly Adelaide side whose race is run for this season, they should be able to hold their top four position.</p> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-aus-other/australian-nbl/adelaide-36ers-v-sydney-kings-7965581">Sydney Kings.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Illawarra Hawks vs Brisbane Bullets Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, February 3, 5:30pm AEDT – WIN Sports &amp; Entertainment Centre</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>This is a huge game in the context of who will potentially make the NBL playoffs. Brisbane may feel safe in fifth, but a loss here and they get leapfrogged by the Hawks and have the Taipans breathing down their necks.</p> <p>The Hawks are one of two teams to have two games in hand and can use these games to make sure they are playing finals basketball come the end of the regular season.</p> <p><strong>Tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-aus-other/australian-nbl/illawarra-hawks-v-brisbane-bullets-7965582">Illawarra Hawks.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne United vs SEM Phoenix Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, February 3, 8:00pm AEDT – John Cain Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>After being nearly unbeatable all year, Melbourne United has suffered a stunning decline in recent weeks.</p> <p>They have lost four of their last seven NBL outings to leave the door ajar for the inform Perth Wildcats to steal the minor premiership.</p> <p>Thankfully for United they have a Melbourne derby this week against bottom of the table Phoenix.</p> <p><strong>Tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-aus-other/australian-nbl/melbourne-united-v-s-e-melbourne-phoenix-7965588">Melbourne United.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Tasmania JackJumpers vs Adelaide 36ers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, February 4, 2:00pm AEDT – MyState Bank Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Tassie backed up their win against top of the table Melbourne United with a shock loss to the New Zealand Breakers across the ditch.</p> <p>A top two spot is now out of the question, but they can go a long way to locking up a top four berth with a win over cellar dwellers Adelaide, who will have played just 48 hours earlier.</p> <p><strong>Tip: </strong>Tasmania JackJumpers.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Perth Wildcats vs New Zealand Breakers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, February 4, 4:00pm AEDT – RAC Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The final game of NBL round 18 sees the in form team and player of the competition in action against the Breakers.</p> <p>The Wildcats and their star man Bryce Cotton are doing everything in their power to steal top spot from Melbourne United before the playoffs.</p> <p>Cotton has been putting up insane numbers week in week out and is all but a lock for the NBL MVP.</p> <p>This is a game they should easily win as they take another step towards an unlikely minor premiership.</p> <p><strong>Tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-aus-other/australian-nbl/perth-wildcats-v-new-zealand-breakers-7965587">Perth Wildcats.</a></p>

<h2>NBL Championship 2023-24 Odds</h2>