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The NBL25 Semi-Finals are heating up, and we’ve got two thrilling Game 3 matchups on the horizon!
The Perth Wildcats kept their season alive with a gritty 96-89 win over Melbourne United on Saturday night. Dylan Windler was unstoppable, dropping 27 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and knocking down a sizzling 6 of 7 from beyond the arc.
Now, Melbourne United will host the Wildcats on Tuesday night in what promises to be an absolute blockbuster.
Meanwhile, the Illawarra Hawks and South East Melbourne Phoenix are also set for a winner-takes-all showdown at the WIN Entertainment Centre. The Phoenix continued their incredible run with a hard-fought 101-94 victory on Sunday, setting up a must-watch decider.
Who will meet in the 2025 NBL Grand Final Series? The Hawks have been a favourite all season, but all four teams are worthy of making it to the biggest stage in Australian Basketball.
Here are some NBL Semi Finals Game 3 Predictions for the NBL25 Season.
Be sure to check back before each NBL25 Match for NBL Previews, NBL Head to Head Predictions, NBL Tips, NBL Picks and NBL Predictions for matches of NBL Season 25.
Melbourne United vs Perth Wildcats
Venue – John Cain Arena
Tip Off – 7.30pm EST
Season Record
| Team | W-L | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne | 19-10 | 9-6 | 10-4 |
| Perth | 18-11 | 10-5 | 8-6 |
Season Scoring
| Team | PPG | Opp PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne | 95.6 | 91.4 | 187 |
| Perth | 100.1 | 96.9 | 197 |
Quick Game Facts
- Home-court dominance! The home team has won 13 of Melbourne’s last 14 Semi Final games.
- The Wildcats have lost their last four games at John Cain Arena.
- Chris Goulding is unstoppable against Perth at home! He’s dropped 41+ points in each of Melbourne’s last two home games against Perth. Can he do it again?
Prediction
A do-or-die Game 3, and history suggests the home team usually gets the job done. Melbourne United will need to lock in defensively and slow down Perth’s high-powered offense. The Wildcats were lethal from deep in Game 2, hitting 11 of 21 threes, but United has the defensive grit to adjust. Expect a tight battle, but on their home floor, Melbourne’s defensive intensity could be the difference.
Prediction – Melbourne United (Win)
Prediction – Game Total Under 193.5 Points
Illawarra Hawks vs SEM Phoenix
Venue – WIN Entertainment Centre
Tip Off – 7.30pm EST
Season Record
| Team | W-L | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illawarra | 20-9 | 10-4 | 10-5 |
| SEM | 16-13 | 10-4 | 6-9 |
Season Scoring
| Team | PPG | Opp PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illawarra | 101.4 | 91.2 | 192.6 |
| SEM | 96.1 | 91.6 | 187.7 |
Quick Game Facts
- 🔒 Lock it down! Illawarra has won 15 straight games when holding opponents under 90 points.
- ⚡ Full throttle! South East Melbourne leads the league in pace this season (81.5).
- 🏆 Clutch kings! SEM Phoenix has the best Q4 win percentage this season (69.7%).
Prediction
The Hawks struggled with their shooting in Game 2 but excelled in other key areas. As the more talented squad, they’re always a tough out on their home floor. With the series on the line, expect them to bounce back strong and take control. They should be too good at home and could secure the win in convincing fashion.