Round 18 in NBL25 concludes on Sunday with the usual double-header. Second up on the slate is a crucial game for the Adelaide 36ers as they play host to the New Zealand Breakers. Tip-off is set for 4:30pm AEDT in the City of Churches, and we bring you our thoughts and best bet for the game below!
Also, we’re providing previews and expert betting tips for every game of the NBL25 season, so make sure to head over to our NBL Tips page regularly to keep up to date with all of our content.
NBL25 Round 18 Preview & Betting Tips
Adelaide 36ers vs New Zealand Breakers
Sunday 4:30pm AEDT (Jan 26), Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Adelaide will host New Zealand in a must-win game for the 36ers as they push to secure a spot in the play-in tournament. The 36ers currently sit 6th on the ladder with a 12-13 record and are finding form at the right time. Their last game was a massive nine-point win on the road against the Kings, where they poured in 105 points against the best defence in the league. This performance was no fluke either; Adelaide has now scored 90+ points in nine consecutive games, showing they’ve got the offensive firepower to compete with anyone. They’ve also been in solid form overall, winning five of their last seven games, and their home performances have improved too, with back-to-back wins in Adelaide. Kendric Davis has been a standout, continuing his red-hot form with 30 points last game, while Montrezl Harrell keeps putting up big numbers, adding 23 points and 11 rebounds.
For the Breakers, things couldn’t be more different. After starting the season strong at 7-2, their campaign has fallen apart, with 14 losses in their last 16 games. Their latest disappointment came against Brisbane, where they went down by six points to an undermanned Bullets team. Matt Mooney led the way with 24 points, and Parker Jackson-Cartwright added 19 points and 9 assists, but once again, the rest of the roster failed to deliver. Scoring depth has been a constant issue for New Zealand, and it’s left them unable to close out winnable games. Defensively, they’ve also struggled to contain teams, which has been magnified during this horrid stretch of form.
The last meeting between these teams was a dominant 17-point win for Adelaide in front of their home fans just last month. That game highlighted the gap between the two sides, with the 36ers’ pace, scoring depth, and confidence overwhelming the Breakers. With their offence firing on all cylinders and the Breakers’ inability to consistently defend or score outside of their top performers, it’s hard to see anything but another comfortable Adelaide win.
This is a huge game for the 36ers, who know a win will put them in a strong position to secure a play-in spot. Expect them to come out aggressive, using their fast pace to stretch the Breakers early. Adelaide’s recent form at home, combined with the electric play of Davis and Harrell, gives them a clear edge in this one. On the other hand, the Breakers need to find some secondary scoring and tighten up defensively if they’re going to cause an upset. However, their recent struggles and inability to stop high-scoring teams make that unlikely.
With the 36ers clicking offensively and riding a wave of momentum, they should have little trouble putting away a Breakers side that’s lacking confidence and answers. Adelaide’s firepower and tempo should prove too much for New Zealand once again.
36ers -10.5
$1.90 (1 Unit)
