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The final round of the NBL25 season kicks off on Wednesday, February 5th, with the New Zealand Breakers hosting the Illawarra Hawks at Spark Arena. With playoff spots and positioning on the line, this round promises to deliver high-intensity basketball as teams make their last push toward the postseason.
Round 19 produced some intriguing results, particularly for the Adelaide 36ers, who had been building strong momentum in recent weeks. However, they stumbled at a crucial stage, failing to capitalize on their form. Now, they face a tough challenge on Friday night, heading west to take on the Perth Wildcats in what is sure to be a high-stakes matchup at RAC Arena.
Round 20 will be pivotal in shaping the final standings, with six crucial games determining the 2025 NBL playoff picture. Teams will have a clear understanding of what’s required to secure their desired seed, making for an exciting and pressure-filled round of basketball.
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.
New Zealand Breakers vs Illawarra Hawks Prediction
Venue – Spark Arena
Tip Off – 5.30pm EST
Season Record
| Team | W-L | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZ | 10-18 | 6-8 | 4-10 |
| Illawarra | 18-9 | 9-4 | 9-5 |
Season Scoring
| Team | PPG | Opp PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZ | 85.8 | 91.2 | 177 |
| Illawarra | 101.9 | 92.1 | 194 |
Quick Game Facts
- Struggling Breakers – New Zealand has dropped 15 of its last 18 games—can they break the slump in the final round?
- Hawks’ Dominance – Illawarra has owned this matchup, winning the last three meetings against the Breakers. Will they keep the streak alive?
- Harvey Loves This Matchup – Tyler Harvey thrives against New Zealand, averaging 20.3 PPG—the most against any opponent in his career!
Prediction
This is the final game of the season for the New Zealand Breakers, and they’ll be eager to finish on a high note. They’re coming off an impressive 99-92 win over Cairns, shooting 48% from three but struggling with 17 turnovers.
The Illawarra Hawks, the league’s top-ranked team, are expected to take care of business, but the Breakers could keep it competitive for stretches.
Prediction – Illawarra Hawks (Win)
Prediction – New Zealand Breakers + 10.5
Cairns Taipans vs Brisbane Bullets Prediction
Venue – Cairns Convention Centre
Tip Off – 7.30pm EST
Season Record
| Team | W-L | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairns | 7-20 | 3-11 | 4-9 |
| Brisbane | 12-16 | 6-8 | 6-8 |
Season Scoring
| Team | PPG | Opp PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairns | 88.1 | 96.0 | 184.1 |
| Brisbane | 92.5 | 97.8 | 190.3 |
Quick Game Facts
- Brisbane’s Magic Number: When the Bullets hit 90+ points, they’re unstoppable—winning their last eight games when reaching that mark!
- Cairns’ Dominance: The Taipans have had Brisbane’s number, winning 11 of their last 15 meetings. Can they keep the trend going?
- Scoring Machine: Casey Prather has been a force this season, ranking 3rd among qualified players with 21.4 PPG heading into Round 20!
Prediction
Despite missing key players, the Bullets are coming off a big road win over the Adelaide 36ers and now face a Cairns side that has allowed star import Rob Edwards to finish up early. Brisbane remains a slim mathematical chance to sneak into the playoffs, but they’ll need a dominant win here—and hope Perth hands Adelaide a heavy defeat on Friday night. The Bullets should take care of business and close out the season on a high note.
Prediction – Brisbane Bullets (Win)
Illawarra Hawks vs Sydney Kings Prediction
Venue – WIN Entertainment Centre
Tip Off – 7.30pm EST
Season Record
| Team | W-L | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illawarra | 19-9 | 9-4 | 10-5 |
| Sydney | 16-12 | 7-7 | 9-5 |
Season Scoring
| Team | PPG | Opp PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illawarra | 101.6 | 91.8 | 193.4 |
| Sydney | 91.3 | 87.9 | 179.2 |
Quick Game Facts
- Hawks’ Hot Streak: Illawarra has dominated this rivalry, winning five straight against Sydney. Can they extend their grip on the Kings?
- Road Warriors: Sydney has been unstoppable on the road, winning their last four away games. Can they keep the streak alive in Illawarra?
- Scoring Efficiency: Kouat Noi is lighting it up, ranking 2nd among qualified players with a scorching 26.2 points per 36 minutes this season!
Prediction
Prediction – Sydney Kings (Win)
Perth Wildcats vs Adelaide 36ers Prediction
Venue – RAC Arena
Tip Off – 9.30pm EST
Season Record
| Team | W-L | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perth | 17-11 | 9-5 | 8-6 |
| Adelaide | 13-15 | 9-6 | 4-9 |
Season Scoring
| Team | PPG | Opp PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perth | 99.7 | 96.7 | 196.4 |
| Adelaide | 94.0 | 95.9 | 189.9 |
Quick Game Facts
- Perth’s Dominance: The Wildcats have had Adelaide’s number, winning eight of their last nine meetings. Can the 36ers flip the script?
- Defensive Key: When Adelaide holds opponents under 90 points, they’re nearly unbeatable—boasting an 8-1 record this season!
- Scoring King: Bryce Cotton has been unstoppable, leading all qualified players with a league-best 27.7 PPG heading into Round 20!
- Mr. Consistent: Kendric Davis is on fire, dropping 20+ points in 10 straight games. Can he keep the streak alive?
Prediction
Prediction – Perth Wildcats (Win)
Tasmania JackJumpers vs Cairns Taipans Prediction
Venue – MyState Bank Arena
Tip Off – 5.30pm EST
Season Record
| Team | W-L | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tasmania | |||
| Cairns |
Season Scoring
| Team | PPG | Opp PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tasmania | |||
| Cairns |
Quick Game Facts –
Prediction
Melbourne United vs SEM Phoenix Prediction
Venue – John Cain Arena
Tip Off – 8pm EST
Season Record
| Team | Win/Loss | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne | |||
| SEM |
Season Scoring
| Team | PPG | Opp PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne | |||
| SEM |