After a rare day off on Monday, NBL25 action resumes on Tuesday with a Round 15 matchup that pits the Illawarra Hawks against the Tasmania JackJumpers. Both clubs are coming off disappointing losses in their opening game of the round, so there should be a bit of feeling in this one. We bring you our full game preview and best bet 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 15 Preview & Betting Tips
Illawarra Hawks vs Tasmania JackJumpers
Tuesday 7:30pm AEDT (Jan 7), WIN Entertainment Centre
The Illawarra Hawks will be eager to bounce back after one of the biggest shocks of the season. They were heavy favourites against the Cairns Taipans last time out, but somehow ended up on the losing side, with the Taipans snapping a 15-game losing streak. Despite their recent setback, they still remain at the top of the ladder with a 13-7 record, so they’ll be aiming to get back to winning ways quickly.
That said, the Hawks do come into this one on a two-game losing streak at the WIN Entertainment Centre, so they’ll be keen to turn things around in front of their home crowd. They’ll need to bring their A-game, especially with their strong inside game and offensive firepower, which has been one of their key strengths. If they can execute properly, they’ll be hoping to regain the form that had them dominating earlier in the season.
The Tasmania JackJumpers, meanwhile, are coming off a surprise loss to the Phoenix, ending their eight-game winning streak. It was a tough loss at home, with a slow start proving costly in the end. Despite the setback, Tasmania is still sitting in fifth place, just two games off the top, and they’ll want to quickly shake off that defeat. They’ll need to come out strong this time around, as they can’t afford another slow start if they want to keep up in the standings.
A key factor in Tasmania’s performance will be the absence of Will Magnay. He’s been a defensive anchor for the JackJumpers, particularly in terms of rim protection. His absence was felt against the Phoenix, and with the Hawks being the best team at attacking the paint, Tasmania will need to find a way to deal with Illawarra’s inside scoring without Magnay. How they adjust their defensive schemes will be crucial in keeping the Hawks from dominating in the key.
This game is a clear contrast of styles: the Hawks have one of the most potent offences in the league, while the JackJumpers are known for their tough defence. The game will likely come down to which team can play to their strengths more effectively. With that said, I have far more faith in the Hawks this season and believe their best is still better than anyone else’s in NBL25. I see them coming out comfortable winners here.
Hawks -5.5
$1.91 (1.5 Units)
