NBL Predictions and Quick Facts, Round 21 2022
Round 21 of NBL22 kicks off on a Thursday Night, and the Cairns Taipans will take on the Sydney Kings at the Cairns Convention Centre.
The Kings are coming off a loss to the 36ers and will be looking to finish the season off on a high.
Friday Night will see the Perth Wildcats take on the Illawarra Hawks in a much-anticipated encounter. The Hawks then have a huge matchup against the Sydney Kings on Sunday, and the Perth Wildcats may need to win the season’s final game against the Phoenix for a 36th consecutive finals appearance.
It has been a fantastic season of NBL Hoops for NBL22, and the finals are just around the corner.
Here are some NBL Predictions and Quick Facts for Round 21 of NBL22.
Be sure to check back before each NBL22 Match for NBL Previews, NBL Head to Head Predictions, NBL Tips, NBL Picks and NBL Predictions for each match of NBL Season 22.
A Star Rating is used to show the confidence level of each Head to Head NBL Match Prediction.
⭐ = A Tough Match to Pick
⭐⭐ = A Decent Chance
⭐⭐⭐ = Should Get the Win
NBL Season Prediction Form
Cairns Taipans vs Sydney Kings
Venue – Cairns Convention Centre
Tip Off – 7.30pm EST
Season Record
| Team | Win/Loss | Home | Away | Last 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cairns | 8-18 | 4-8 | 4-10 | 1-4 |
| Sydney | 18-8 | 9-4 | 9-4 | 4-1 |
Season Scoring
| Team | PPG | Opp PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairns | 78.4 | 85.5 | 163.9 |
| Sydney | 85.6 | 82.6 | 168.2 |
Quick Game Facts
- The Cairns Taipans are on a 4-game losing streak
- The Cairns Taipans last 4 losses have been by an average of 16.8 points
- The Cairns Taipans have lost 8 of their past 10 home games
- The Sydney Kings have won 15 of their past 17 games
- The Sydney Kings have won 9 consecutive away matches
- The Sydney Kings have scored 84 points or less in 3 of their past 4 games
- Sydney have won 6 of their past 8 games against Cairns
- Kings Star imports Jaylen Adams and Jarell Martin are both out of this clash
Prediction
The Kings are coming off a loss and will be without their two star imports for this clash.
They didn’t look like the Kings side we have seen in the second half of the season last week, and this could be a tough matchup.
The Taipans will want to finish the season off well and it would not at all be surprising if they pinch this match. The Kings would be the easy pick if they were fully fit, but the loss of their two star players will hurt and bring the Taipans right into this game.
The Taipans have some players that are out to impress and may win this match.
Prediction – Cairns Taipans (Win) ⭐
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South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Adelaide 36ers
Venue – John Cain Arena
Tip Off – 7.30pm EST
Season Record
| Team | Win/Loss | Home | Away | Last 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEM | 13-13 | 6-7 | 7-6 | 1-4 |
| Adelaide | 9-17 | 6-8 | 3-9 | 2-3 |
Season Scoring
| Team | PPG | Opp PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEM | 86.9 | 85.9 | 172.8 |
| Adelaide | 80.7 | 84.3 | 165 |
Quick Game Facts
- The Phoenix have lost 8 of their past 10 matches
- Each of the Phoenix’s last 8 losses have been by 8 points or less
- Adelaide have won their last 2 away matches against sides that are in the top four right now
- The last 9 matches between these two sides have been decided by 9 points or less
- Adelaide has lost the fourth quarter in 6 consecutive games at John Cain Arena
Prediction
The 36ers are coming off two big wins and take on a Phoenix side that has been consistently losing close games recently.
This is a tough match to pick given the 36ers have shown plenty in their last couple of wins, but the Phoenix are always a dangerous side on their home court.
Prediction – South East Melbourne Phoenix (Win) ⭐
Perth Wildcats vs Illawarra Hawks
Venue – RAC Arena
Tip Off – 9.30pm EST
Season Record
| Team | Win/Loss | Home | Away | Last 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perth | 16-10 | 7-5 | 9-5 | 4-1 |
| Illawarra | 17-9 | 8-6 | 9-3 | 2-3 |
Season Scoring
| Team | PPG | Opp PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perth | 89.2 | 84.3 | 173.5 |
| Illawarra | 89.6 | 84.0 | 173.6 |
Quick Game Facts
- Perth Wildcats forward Vic Law is out of this clash and will miss the remainder of the season
- The Perth Wildcats have lost 4 of their past 6 games at RAC Arena
- The Illawarra Hawks have won 9 of their past 11 games
- The Illawarra Hawks have won 4 consecutive away matches
- The Perth Wildcats have won their last 4 games against the Illawarra Hawks
- The Wildcats have won the second quarter in their last 9 night games at RAC Arena
Prediction
The Perth Wildcats are in danger of missing the playoffs and will need to win one of their last two games to snap up a spot in the finals.
They take on an Illawarra Hawks side that has been impressive over the last month, but has really struggled at RAC Arena over the journey.
The Wildcats are without Vic Law for this clash, so expect Bryce Cotton to put up a lot of shots, but he will need help from teammates if they are any chance in this one.
The Wildcats are always dangerous at home, but have been out of sorts in recent weeks and the Hawks will go into this match as the favourites.
Prediction – Illawarra Hawks (Win) ⭐
Tasmania JackJumpers vs Melbourne United
Venue – MyState Bank Arena
Tip Off – 5.30pm EST
Season Record
| Team | Win/Loss | Home | Away | Last 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tasmania | 16-11 | 7-6 | 9-5 | 4-1 |
| Melbourne | 20-7 | 9-5 | 11-2 | 5-0 |
Season Scoring
| Team | PPG | Opp PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tasmania | 79.5 | 80.0 | 159.5 |
| Melbourne | 88.7 | 80.0 | 168.7 |
Quick Game Facts
- Tasmania have won 9 of their past 11 matches
- 8 of the JackJumpers last 9 wins have been by 8 points or less
- Melbourne United are on a 5-game winning streak
- Melbourne United will finish on top of the NBL Table regardless of the result in this match
- Melbourne United have won 11 of their past 12 away games
Prediction
Tasmania need to win this game to keep their finals hopes alive, but will need the Perth Wildcats to lose to the Phoenix on Sunday to still make the final four.
Melbourne United have already got the top spot on the NBL Table regardless of this result, and have already ruled out Matthew Dellavedova for this clash. It would not at all be surprising if coach Dean Vickerman rests a few more key players for this game, or gives them a minutes restriction.
This gives the JackJumpers every chance to win this game and as it has been all season, their defence will be intense from start to finish.
Keep an eye on the lineups for this clash before tip-off, but the Tassie side just have too much to play for.
Prediction – Tasmania JackJumpers (Win) ⭐⭐
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Cairns Taipans vs Brisbane Bullets
Venue – Cairns Convention Centre
Tip Off – 8pm EST
Season Record
| Team | Win/Loss | Home | Away | Last 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cairns | 8-19 | 4-9 | 4-10 | 0-5 |
| Brisbane | 10-17 | 6-8 | 4-9 | 2-3 |
Season Scoring
| Team | PPG | Opp PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairns | 78.4 | 85.6 | 164 |
| Brisbane | 84.5 | 88.4 | 172.9 |
Quick Game Facts
- The Cairns Taipans are on a 5-game losing streak
- The Cairns Taipans have lost 9 of their past 11 home games
- The Brisbane Bullets have won 3 of their past 5 away games
- The Bullets have lost 8 consecutive Saturday Night encounters
- Cairns have won their last 3 games against Brisbane
- Seven of the past eight games between these two sides have gone over the projected Game Total
Prediction
The last game of the season for these two sides and the Taipans will want to see the season off with a win in front of their home crowd.
Bullets import Lamar Patterson is a game time decision for this clash, which could be the difference in deciding this one.
A tough match to pick, but Tajhere McCall was good in their recent loss and if he has another big match, the Taipans are every chance in this match.
Prediction – Cairns Taipans (Win) ⭐
New Zealand Breakers vs Adelaide 36ers
Venue – MyState Bank Arena
Tip Off – 1pm EST
Season Record
| Team | Win/Loss | Home | Away | Last 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 5-22 | 2-11 | 3-11 | 0-5 |
| Adelaide | 9-18 | 6-8 | 3-10 | 2-3 |
Season Scoring
| Team | PPG | Opp PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 80.5 | 88.3 | 168.8 |
| Adelaide | 81.1 | 84.7 | 165.8 |
Quick Game Facts
- The New Zealand Breakers have lost 9 consecutive matches
- The Adelaide 36ers have won 2 of their last 3 matches
- New Zealand have won 4 of their last 5 games against the 36ers
Prediction
The Adelaide 36ers have looked the better side to finish off the final stages of NBL22, and the Breakers are without Wetzell and Besson for this clash.
The Breakers could surprise, but given the form the 36ers have been in recently, they should get the win here to finish off the season.
Prediction – Adelaide 36ers (Win) ⭐⭐
Sydney Kings vs Illawarra Hawks
Venue – Qudos Bank Arena
Tip Off – 3pm EST
Season Record
| Team | Win/Loss | Home | Away | Last 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 19-8 | 9-4 | 10-4 | 4-1 |
| Illawarra | 18-9 | 8-6 | 10-3 | 4-1 |
Season Scoring
| Team | PPG | Opp PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 85.7 | 82.4 | 168.1 |
| Illawarra | 89.3 | 83.7 | 173.0 |
Quick Game Facts
- The Sydney Kings have won 16 of their last 18 games
- The Kings have won 6 of their last 7 games at home
- The last 5 games between these two sides have been decided by 8 points or less
- The Illawarra Hawks have won 5 consecutive away matches
- Jarell Martin is back in for the Kings in this clash, whilst Jaylen Adams will remain out
Prediction
A tough match to pick on a Sunday to end the season with two of the better sides in the league going at it.
This is an important matchup though, as the winner gets home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
The Sydney Kings are without their gun point guard, Jaylen Adams for this match and the Hawks should be able to take advantage of that.
The last time these two sides met, the Kings won a close one in overtime, 102-107.
The Hawks are fully fit for this clash, but this match could go down to the wire.
Prediction – Illawarra Hawks (Win) ⭐
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Perth Wildcats vs South East Melbourne Phoenix
Venue – RAC Arena
Tip Off – 5.30pm EST
Season Record
| Team | Win/Loss | Home | Away | Last 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perth | 16-11 | 7-6 | 9-5 | 2-3 |
| SEM | 14-13 | 7-7 | 7-6 | 2-3 |
Season Scoring
| Team | PPG | Opp PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perth | 88.7 | 84.3 | 173.0 |
| SEM | 87.2 | 86.1 | 173.3 |
Quick Game Facts
- The Perth Wildcats need to win this match to make the NBL Finals for the 36th consecutive season
- The Perth Wildcats have lost 5 of their past 7 matches
- The Phoenix have lost 8 of their past 11 matches
- Perth have won 7 of their 10 matches against the Phoenix
Prediction
The Perth Wildcats have not missed the NBL Finals since 1986, but they will miss the finals if they lose this match.
The Phoenix are coming off a big comeback win against the 36ers on Friday Night, and are a real danger to prevent the Wildcats from going through to the playoffs.
The Wildcats will need to crank up the defence in this match, and Bryce Cotton will more than likely give 30+ points a nudge if they are to win.
A massive danger game for the Wildcats and it is hard to be confident picking them given their recent form, but there is far too much to play for here.
Prediction – Perth Wildcats (Win) ⭐