The NBL25 Finals begin on Tuesday night with a massive clash between the Perth Wildcats and the South East Melbourne Phoenix. The winner of this game will go straight through to the semi-finals to take on United, while the loser will play either the Kings or the 36ers in a do-or-die battle on Sunday.
We had an excellent regular season with our tips (89-63 record for +29.68 units) and will be aiming to continue our form in the playoffs. Catch full game preview and best bet for the Wildcats vs Phoenix matchup below and good luck to everyone following!
NBL25 Seeding Qualifier Preview & Betting Tips
Perth Wildcats vs South East Melbourne Phoenix
Tuesday 9:30pm AEDT (Feb 11), RAC Arena
The NBL25 finals begin with a high-stakes clash between the Perth Wildcats and the South East Melbourne Phoenix, with the winner earning a direct path to the semi-finals against Melbourne United. The loser, meanwhile, will get a second chance at home against the winner of Thursday’s Sydney Kings vs Adelaide 36ers matchup. The Wildcats secured third place with an 18-11 record, finishing the regular season strongly by winning their last three games and eight of their final ten. The Phoenix, in contrast, claimed fourth spot at 16-13 but struggled in recent weeks, winning just two of their last five games after previously putting together a four-game win streak.
Perth’s success this season has once again been driven by Bryce Cotton, who was named league MVP for the second straight year and the fifth time in his illustrious career. The Wildcats' superstar also earned All-NBL First Team honours, further underlining his dominance. The Phoenix also had a standout performer in Matt Hurt, who joined Cotton in the All-NBL First Team and finished in the top three in MVP voting. However, a major concern for the Phoenix is the status of Derrick Walton Jr., a key playmaker who has missed the last month due to injury. Walton Jr.’s availability remains uncertain, with updates expected closer to tip-off.
Recent history favours the Wildcats, who won three of their four encounters with the Phoenix this season, including all three meetings at RAC Arena—the venue for this crucial matchup. Their most recent showdown, just 11 days ago in Perth, saw the Wildcats edge out a dramatic one-point victory after erasing a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit. Perth’s offensive firepower has been a major factor in their success, ranking second in the league with 100.1 points per game, though their defence has been a weakness, conceding 96.9 points per contest—the second-most in the competition. The Phoenix, meanwhile, rank third offensively with 96.1 points per game while allowing 91.6 points, the fifth-most in the league.
With the home crowd behind them and a strong track record in finals basketball, the Wildcats will enter this contest with plenty of confidence. Cotton’s experience and ability to rise in big moments give Perth a significant edge, while their superior consistency over four quarters could prove decisive. The Phoenix will need a big performance from Hurt and hope Walton Jr. is available to boost their chances. However, with Perth’s momentum and dominance at RAC Arena, I expect the Wildcats to handle the occasion and take the direct route to the semi-finals.
Wildcats -3.5
$1.90 (3 Units)
