NBL Tips & Predictions – Round 20

<p>The final round of the NBL regular season is upon us. Next stop – the playoffs. For four teams this will be the last stop on the line, while six will move on to the NBL finals.</p> <p>First and last are pretty much set, pending some huge, almost impossible upsets and scorelines, but the exact order of the top six is still very much up in the air.</p> <p>The Kings, the Breakers and the Bullets are set to tussle for the final two finals places, with one missing out.</p> <p>Which two will make it through and whose season comes to a close? Will the top four remain the same or will the order change? And will there be any final round respite for the teams out of the running?</p> <p>For the latest news, analysis, and odds for the final round of regular season NBL action, check out our tips and predictions for NBL round 20 below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Illawarra Hawks vs Perth Wildcats Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, February 15, 7:30pm AEDT – WIN Sport &amp; Entertainment Centre</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Hawks have soared into fourth with a game in hand after an impressive second half of the season.</p> <p>A crazy sequence of events would have to play out for them to miss the finals from here, including them losing their two games they have this round.</p> <p>That being said, their final two games of the season are against the two top teams, starting with this one against the Wildcats, which we are predicting them to lose.</p> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-aus-other/australian-nbl/illawarra-hawks-v-perth-wildcats-8005464">Perth Wildcats.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>New Zealand Breakers vs Brisbane Bullets Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, February 16, 5:30pm AEDT – Spark Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>This game is likely to have the biggest repercussions on the makeup of the NBL top six.</p> <p>Both the Bullets and the Breakers sit precariously in the playoff places. The Bullets have one extra win than the Breakers, but the New Zealand franchise have a game in hand.</p> <p>However, they both have inferior points difference to the seventh placed Kings, so when the dust settles on round 20 either of them can theoretically end up outside of the top six.</p> <p>As it stands, whoever wins this one will be safe and playing ball in the finals and we are tipping that to be the home side.</p> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-aus-other/australian-nbl/new-zealand-breakers-v-brisbane-bullets-8003013">New Zealand Breakers.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Cairns Taipans vs Melbourne United Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, February 16, 7:30pm AEDT – Cairns Convention Centre</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Melbourne United have all but secured top spot and the minor premiership. As a result, they may opt to rest some of their stars for the trip up north to face the Taipans and instead focus their efforts on their final game at home.</p> <p>Cairns’ race may be run for season 2023-24, but we’re tipping them to end the year on a high with an upset win in front of their home fans against an understrength United outfit.</p> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-aus-other/australian-nbl/cairns-taipans-v-melbourne-united-8003012">Cairns Taipans.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>SEM Phoenix vs Sydney Kings Prediction</h2> <p><strong><em>Saturday, February 17, 5:30pm AEDT – John Cain Arena</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>For the Kings it’s curtains if they lose here unless the Breakers get smashed in both their remaining matches to fall below them on points difference.</p> <p>Luckily, they are playing a Phoenix side who are all but guaranteed the spoon after a disastrous campaign.</p> <p>We’re tipping the Kings to hold up their end in their quest for a finals berth and win this one.&nbsp;</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-8003177">Sydney Kings.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Tasmania JackJumpers vs Perth Wildcats Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, February 17, 8:00pm AEDT – MyState Bank Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Perth Superstar Bryce Cotton will be looking to seal the regular season MVP when his side travels across Bass Strait to face the JackJumpers.</p> <p>He’s all but a lock for the award after a season of dominance, but we’re expecting him to put up some serious numbers one final time before the playoffs, much to the detriment of Tassie.</p> <p><strong>Tip: </strong>Perth Wildcats.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne United vs Illawarra Hawks Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, February 18, 2:00pm AEDT – John Cain Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Hawks second match of round 20 doesn’t get any easier. They trade facing second place for facing first.</p> <p>Out of the Wildcat’s frying pan and into Melbourne United’s fire. While the teams they face may change, unfortunately for the Illawarra faithful, we don’t think the result will.</p> <p><strong>Tip: </strong>Melbourne United.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide 36ers vs New Zealand Breakers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, February 18, 4:00pm AEDT – Adelaide Entertainment Centre</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>If the Breakers don’t seal their finals participation against the Bullets, they should do so here against also-rans Adelaide.</p> <p>We’re tipping them to bring round 20 of the NBL and the regular season as a whole to a close with a comfortable win in this one.</p> <p><strong>Tip: </strong>New Zealand Breakers.</p>

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