<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-aus-other/australian-nbl">Round 19 of the 25/26 NBL season</a> is here and with the playoffs just three rounds away, teams will be desperate to secure victory and book a spot in the playoffs.</p> <p>NBL Round 19 also brings the penultimate round of the Ignite Cup in-season tournament.</p> <p>The inaugural Ignite Cup features a total prize pool of $400 000 for the winning team, and with 60% of the cash going straight to the player’s pockets, expect fireworks on Wednesday night.</p> <p>Let’s find out who’s going to bring home the bag in Round 19.</p> <p>For the latest NBL news, analysis, and odds, check out our expert NBL Round 19 tips and predictions below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane Bullets vs Adelaide 36ers Prediction</h2> <p><strong><em>Wednesday, January 28, 7:30pm AEDT – Gold Coast Sport and Leisure Centre</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Round 19 tips off with a David vs Goliath battle on the Gold Coast. The Adelaide 36ers (20–7) sit on top of the ladder and are the heavy favourites here.</p> <p>Although, the 36ers have shown vulnerability in the last few weeks, uncharacteristically dropping three of their last five matches.</p> <p>On the other hand, the Brisbane Bullets are anchored to last place amid a horror 2K26 campaign and on an eight-game losing streak.</p> <p>A Bullets victory would spoil the party, end the 36ers Ignite cup campaign and instil some pride after a forgettable year.</p> <p>While the motivation for an upset will be there, the ability won’t be, expect the 36ers to win well and book their spot in the Ignite Cup final.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-aus-other/australian-nbl">Adelaide 36ers</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Perth Wildcats vs SEM Phoenix Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Wednesday, January 28, 9:30pm AEDT – RAC Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Wednesday's double-header concludes with an Ignite Cup clash in the West. SEM Phoenix have been in phenomenal form, winning six of their last seven matches.</p> <p>17’ NBA champion turned NBL veteran Ian Clark is finding his groove, averaging nearly 24 points over his last three games, while Wes Iwundu is providing elite secondary scoring.</p> <p>The Wildcats are coming off a one-point loss to United where we saw tensions boil over on the court post-match.</p> <p>The internal frustrations were clear as Kristian Doolittle missed a clutch three-pointer in the dying seconds, but how they bounce back from that finish will be telling.</p> <p>While Perth previously beat the Phoenix this season, the Phoenix’s form and high-octane offense currently look too powerful to stop.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-aus-other/australian-nbl">SEM Phoenix</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney Kings vs Illawarra Hawks Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, January 29, 7:30pm AEDT – Qudos Bank Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Thursday night will see another chapter written in the book of feuds between the Sydney Kings and Illawarra Hawks. The Adrian Hurley cup is on the line as the Kings push for a top two finish.</p> <p>Sydney have found new ways to win this season after dealing with a rotating list of key injuries.</p> <p>But with MVP prospect Kendric Davis dropping 40 points on the JackJumpers last week, the Kings are a frightening proposition for any team.</p> <p>The Hawks are desperate to turn their season around as they currently sit outside the top six. While JaVale McGee and Tyler Harvey continue to lead the way, they often struggle when games turn into a grind.</p> <p>Sydney’s star-power and home-court advantage should be enough to see them beat last year's champions.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-aus-other/australian-nbl">Sydney Kings</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>New Zealand Breakers vs Melbourne United Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, January 30, 5:30pm AEDT – Spark Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Friday night hoops take us across the Tasman for an intense rivalry clash. The Breakers are desperate for home wins and represent solid underdog value at Spark Arena.</p> <p>Despite recent heartbreak, their scoring has improved significantly, led by Izaiah Brockington and the rising Karim Lopez.</p> <p>Melbourne United remains a defensive powerhouse, but they struggled to find scoring rhythm in their narrow win over Perth.</p> <p>If United doesn't lift their offensive output, they may struggle to keep up with an athletic Breakers side that has been dropping 100+ points with regularity lately.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-aus-other/australian-nbl">New Zealand Breakers</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Cairns Taipans vs Tasmania JackJumpers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, January 30, 7:30pm AEDT – Cairns Convention Centre</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>NBL Round 19 continues in Cairns as the Taipans host the JackJumpers. The Taipans are playing for pride after dropping out of finals contention, but they have the chance here to ruin the party for Tassie, who are vulnerable at sixth on the ladder.</p> <p>The JackJumpers have lost three in a row, and it seems their trademark defensive identity is slipping, conceding an average of over 110 points a game across their latest outings.</p> <p>With defensive anchor and skipper Will Magnay fracturing a toe in round 17, an upset is looming as a strong possibility.</p> <p>Expect a physical contest as Taipans play to spoil the JackJumpers season, Tasmania should pull through, with so much more to play for.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-aus-other/australian-nbl">Tasmania JackJumpers</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide 36ers vs SEM Phoenix Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, January 31, 5:30pm AEDT – Adelaide Entertainment Centre</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Match of the round, a top-of-the-table clash between the 36ers and the Phoenix. This is shaping as a Grand Final preview, with the Phoenix looking to close the gap on Adelaide's lead at the top of the ladder.</p> <p>Adelaide have been the benchmark all season, but cracks started to appear two weeks ago when Adelaide were soundly defeated by the Phoenix.</p> <p>With Nathan Sobey in career-best form and the Phoenix seemingly having the blueprint to win, it may be an uphill battle for the 36ers.<br /> <br /> Expect form to win-out and SEM Phoenix to secure the victory.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-aus-other/australian-nbl">SEM Phoenix</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Illawarra Hawks vs Perth Wildcats Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, January 31, 8:00pm AEDT – WIN Entertainment Centre</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Wildcats fly to Wollongong for a tough test on the road against a Hawks side desperate to stay in the play-in hunt.</p> <p>Perth has found its groove at the right time, but the Hawks need a win to keep their season alive and aren’t afraid of a physical challenge.</p> <p>Expect the centre battle between Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. and JaVale McGee to go a long way in deciding the outcome here.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Perth Wildcats.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Tasmania JackJumpers vs New Zealand Breakers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, February 1, 2:30pm AEDT – MyState Bank Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Sunday starts with a cross-Tasman clash in Hobart. The JackJumpers are traditionally tough to beat at home, but the Breakers are playing an exciting nothing to lose brand of ball that could disrupt Tasmania’s structured half-court sets.</p> <p>Given the Breakers athleticism and dynamic attacking play and the JackJumpers missing their best defensive player in Magnay, expect the Breakers to be too much.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-aus-other/australian-nbl">NZ Breakers</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Cairns Taipans vs Sydney Kings Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, February 1, 4:30pm AEDT – Cairns Convention Centre</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Round 19 concludes in Cairns, where the Kings will look to feast on a struggling Taipans unit.</p> <p>With Sydney looking red hot and beginning their championship push and Xavier Cooks likely back in the rotation, Taipans will be a long-shot to win this one.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-aus-other/australian-nbl">Sydney Kings.</a></p>