Every week of the Hungry Jack’s NBL25 Season, we’ll be previewing the big games, the big names and all the key talking points.
Check out the Round 16, Part 2 Preview below.
Don’t forget, every game of the NBL25 season is live on ESPN.
New Zealand vs Melbourne
When: Monday, January 13 – 5.30pm AEDT
Where: TSB Stadium
Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo | NZ: ESPN, TVNZ+ | International
Scores: Download the free NBL App
Watch for: Melbourne got a big win over Sydney last round and will have eyes on creating some distance in second spot on the standings. It wasn’t that long ago that United travelled over to New Zealand and came away with a huge win, behind some incredible shooting from Rob Loe. After losing five of seven games, United still have a number of tough games on the road before they get back to John Cain Arena at the beginning of February.
For the Breakers, they will be taking some confidence out of how they finished their game in Illawarra on Saturday. After being down big early, the Breakers stuck to the task and produced a 30-point fourth quarter to make the final score look much more respectable. With one more game to play before their star guard comes back from suspension, can they get their home crowd involved and get the win?
Players to watch: Jack White was back to his very best against Sydney scoring 23 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. The correlation between White being aggressive on the offensive end and United winning games is an obvious one, because they look a whole lot better when he’s in that mindset. Shea Ili was the catalyst defensively, after he held Jaylen Adams to just seven points and filled it up offensively himself.
The exciting teenage Next Star, Karim Lopez, continues to show why he’s destined to be a top pick in the 2026 Draft. It’s not just the highlights that Lopez is producing, but it’s his ability to impact the game off the ball that has NBA scouts excited. Matt Mooney has been sensational in this stretch without Parker Jackson-Cartwright and is doing it on the scoreboard as well as facilitating.
The stat: Melbourne is first in the league for assists this season (21.2).
Missing in action: Parker Jackson-Cartwright is out (suspended). Mojave King is out (calf).
Adelaide vs Illawarra
When: Monday, January 13 – 7.30pm AEDT
Where: Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo | International
Scores: Download the free NBL App
Watch for: After the 36ers’ shock loss in Tasmania, it means their season is on the line for every game they play now. Unfortunately for them, they have the ladder-leading Hawks coming into town and wanting to get revenge from the first two meetings this season. At half time on Friday it looked as if Adelaide had that game in control, but a big fightback from the JackJumpers, combined with some mistakes from the 36ers, saw Adelaide let a big opportunity slip.
The Hawks have had everyone’s number this season other than the 36ers, who have beat them in their last two games. For the team that many believe are the best in the competition, it won’t sit well with them that they haven’t managed to beat Adelaide at all this season. A win for Illawarra here and it’s one step closer to finishing on top of the standings.
Players to watch: Kendric Davis had a career night in Tasmania, scoring 39 points in the loss and doing all he could to try and get a much-needed win for his team. Davis now has the task of replicating that effort against the best backcourt in the league from the Hawks. Adelaide will believe its advantage in this game will come from the interior, with the likes of Isaac Humphries and Montrezl Harrell.
The Hawks are perhaps the most well-rounded team in the league, and they have weapons at every single position. As good as their starting unit is, it’s perhaps their bench unit that causes the most issues for the opposition, with guys like Darius Days capable of having big impacts. MVP candidate, Trey Kell III, also returns to face his former team and will be looking to make a statement.
The stat: Illawarra is the best scoring team in the league (101.3). Adelaide allows the most points in the league (97.1).
Missing in action: Sunday Dech is a game-time decision (hamstring).
Cairns vs South East Melbourne
When: Tuesday, January 14 – 7.30pm AEDT
Where: Cairns Convention Centre
Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo | International
Scores: Download the free NBL App
Watch for: The Taipans once again proved they mean business towards the end of the season and are trying to ruin every other team’s Finals chances. While it came in a tough loss in Sydney, this young Taipan squad fought hard and hit some big shots to nearly steal a big win from the Kings. They’re playing loose and carefree, and it’s translating into an exciting brand of basketball for the team anchored to the bottom.
The Phoenix are continuing their climb up the standings and are looking to cement their place in the top four. With Derrick Walton Jr set to miss some time with a hamstring injury, it is now the young guards off the bench who will get their chance to shine in the next few weeks. This Phoenix team is rolling on the back of their elite defence but also filling it up offensively.
Players to watch: Taran Armstrong has been nothing short of phenomenal in his second season and is looking like the NBA prospect many believe he is. Armstrong has improved in nearly every facet of his game, but particularly in his ability to shoot off the dribble. Alongside Rob Edwards, this back court is very potent offensively.
The Phoenix are coming into this game riding the form of Nathan Sobey and Matt Hurt, who both scored over 30 points in the win over Brisbane. Hurt looks set to be an All-NBL player during award season and has been borderline unstoppable for Josh King all season long.
The stat: Matt Hurt is fourth in scoring (20.3 points per game).
Missing in action: Derrick Walton Jr is out (hamstring).
Brisbane vs Perth
When: Wednesday, January 15 – 7.30pm AEDT
Where: Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo | International
Scores: Download the free NBL App
Watch for: The Bullets went on a little winning streak after the FIBA break but now find themselves in a hole, largely due to being decimated by injuries. On the positive side, they still have Casey Prather available, who is putting together an incredible individual season. Brisbane will have to be almost perfect from here on out to play Finals, which makes it a very tough task to welcome a red-hot Perth team.
The Wildcats are humming along right now and riding the Bryce Cotton wave at the highest possible level. Perth went down to Tasmania and dismantled the reigning champions all over the floor, and now have its eyes set on a top two spot. The Wildcats finally return home to RAC Arena after this game, so they’ll be keen to finish this road stretch with a win.
Players to watch: With so many injuries to key players, Brisbane will be relying on a heavy dose of Prather and Keandre Cook to put up a competitive score. Both import wings are more than capable of having some very big nights, but they’re going to need some help to take the pressure off.
Outside of Cotton, it’s been Dylan Windler who has stepped up as a key offensive contributor with his ability to knock down the three at a high rate. Kristian Doolittle is back in the line-up and will continue to build up his match fitness towards this back end of the season.
The stat: Perth is the second best free-throw shooting team (37.2).
Missing in action: Sam McDaniel is out for the season (shoulder). James Batemon is out for season (hamstring). Tyrell Harrison is a game time decision (concussion). Josh Bannan is out (knee). Deng Adel is a game time decision (hip).