Every Game In Focus (Round 18, NBL25)

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 18 Preview below.

Don't forget, every game of the NBL25 season is live on ESPN.

Cairns vs Illawarra

When: Thursday, January 23 - 7.30pm AEDT
Where: Cairns Convention Centre
Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo | International
Scores: Download the free NBL App

Watch for: It may be first against last on the standings to begin Round 18, but there is plenty to be excited for in this game. Firstly, the last time these two teams played, which was just a couple weeks ago, the Taipans shocked the Hawks and pulled off a massive victory in the closing moments.

If that wasn’t motivating enough for the ladder leaders, the Hawks have chosen Cairns as their Summer Shootout opponent. The Taipans currently lead that challenge, after they put up 111 points on Brisbane last weekend and they now have to defend that score against the best team in the competition.

Players to watch: Adam Forde called out his starting group after their poor performance against Adelaide, and has vowed to keep them on a shorter leash for the rest of the season. It will be up to Taran Armstrong and Rob Edwards to come out firing and playing the right way, otherwise it could be a long night for the Taipans.

For the Hawks, they have weapons throughout their entire roster and will be calling on everyone to step up in this game, as they attempt to put up a big score. With Trey Kell III and Tyler Harvey leading the charge, they are a team that really catch fire early and often. With their depth and energy off the bench, this seems like one of those games where the Hawks could have six players or more in double figures.

The stat: Illawarra has won each of its last 12 games when allowing less than 90 points. 

Missing in action: Darius Days is out (hamstring), Taran Armstrong is a game time decision (back soreness).

New Zealand vs Brisbane

When: Friday, January 24 - 5.30pm AEDT
Where: Wolfbrook Arena
Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo | TVNZ+ in NZ | International
Scores: Download the free NBL App

Watch for: Brisbane still has a fighting chance of making the top six, although it's become increasingly difficult after the two 30-point losses in Round 17. The Bullets will be hoping that they can respond to a tough week and find some positives with just a few weeks remaining. This team has been decimated by injuries, which is now allowing some young talent to get extended opportunity and showcase what they can do. 

The Breakers have been battling away in recent weeks, as they continue to try and finish the season strong. If Tyrell Harrison is cleared to play for Brisbane, it becomes an exciting big man battle between him and Tacko Fall, the two tallest players in the league. 

Players to watch: Casey Prather was missed in the Bullets tough loss to the Hawks, because the star import has been sensational since Round 10. Prather has put up All-NBL numbers since the FIBA break and has announced his return to form in emphatic style. While he continues to play at a high level, it’s Keandre Cook who needs to rediscover the form that had him as one of the most consistent offensive players in the league at the halfway point of the season.

New Zealand is still looking to get Parker Jackson-Cartwright back to his best, as the star guard continues to find his feet since returning from suspension. With Matt Mooney and Fall all clicking, it feels as if this Breakers team still has a couple of wins left to finish the season.

The stat: Brisbane is the best three point shooting team (37.8 per cent), New Zealand is the worst (32 per cent).

Missing in action: Sam McDaniel is out for the season (shoulder). James Batemon is out for season (hamstring). Tyrell Harrison is questionable (concussion). Deng Adel is a game time decision (hip).

Sydney vs Adelaide

When: Friday, January 24 - 7.30pm AEDT
Where: Qudos Bank Arena
Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo | International
Scores: Download the free NBL App

Watch for: This match-up on Friday night has all the pieces to be one of the most exciting and season defining games of the season. The Sydney Kings pulled off their best win of the season on Wednesday against the Phoenix, and now sit second on the ladder with just three rounds to go. Their task now is to protect that spot against a 36ers team that is just as desperate to get into the top six.

Adelaide is on the outside looking in, but the 36ers have shown that they are more than capable of beating anyone above them on the ladder. They received a big percentage boost with their win over Cairns, but now they simply must keep ticking off wins to give themselves the best possible chance at playing post-season basketball.

Players to watch: While Kendric Davis continues to play at an MVP level, there will be all eyes on DJ Vasiljevic, as he returns to his former team and looks to stay hot. The sharpshooting captain hit seven straight threes in the first quarter against Cairns, providing one of the best highlights of the season thus far.

For Sydney, it’s been all about Kouat Noi in the last nine games as he looks to have the Best Sixth Man award locked up for NBL25. The sparkplug for the Kings has been unstoppable as of late, proving that he can score at an incredibly high rate, which has helped the Kings tick off some big wins.

The stat: Sydney is first for steals (7.7 per game) and blocks (4.8 per game).

Missing in action: Jaylin Galloway is out for the season (shoulder). Keli Leaupepe is out (hamstring)

South East Melbourne vs Tasmania

When: Saturday, January 25 - 5.30pm AEDT
Where: State Basketball Centre
Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo | International
Scores: Download the free NBL App

Watch for: The Phoenix were one of the hottest teams in the league up until Wednesday night, when they ran into a Sydney team that jumped on them early and ran away with a big win. The task for Josh King’s men now is to find a way to bounce back and take care of the reigning champions, as they are playing for a potential home court advantage in the Play-In Tournament. 

Tasmania on the other hand, has its destiny in its own hands and with two more wins to end the season, the JackJumpers would likely secure a place in the finals. They may be missing some key pieces in their team, but history tells us that the culture and attitude of this team only knows one way – and that is to fight against the odds.

Players to watch: Angus Glover and Owen Foxwell are the main two players who will be required to step up in the absence of Derrick Walton Jr. Foxwell in particular was massive for the Phoenix in their loss to the Kings, coming up big down the stretch and doing all he could to try and carry his team to an unlikely win.

Tasmania will still be relying on both Milton Doyle and Jordon Crawford to carry the load offensively, with so many of their stars missing with injury. The positive for the JackJumpers is that both of these players are capable of putting up big numbers on any given night, which would be more than enough to see them be competitive in any game they play.

The stat: Tasmania is the lowest scoring team in the league (83.8 points per game). 

Missing in action: Derrick Walton Jr is out for the season (hamstring). Sean MacDonald is out (foot). Will Magnay is out (toe). Majok Deng is out (knee)

Perth vs Cairns

When: Saturday, January 25 - 8.00pm AEDT
Where: RAC Arena
Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo | International
Scores: Download the free NBL App

Watch for: The Wildcats were rolling as they welcomed United into town on Wednesday night, having won seven of their past eight games. Unfortunately for John Rillie’s men, they couldn’t complete their comeback against Melbourne, and it may have put a big dent in their hopes of finishing second on the ladder. Now, the task for the Wildcats is to brush off that loss and look to bounce back against a Taipans team who will be trying to spoil their post-season party.

At their very best, the Taipans are one of the most exciting teams in the league due to their exceptional guard talent and pace of play. The problem for Adam Forde is that he doesn’t know which style his team is going to play with each and every night, because as good as their best can be, the flip side of that can be a heavy loss.

Players to watch: Bryce Cotton was well held by Shea Ili on Wednesday night and the four-time MVP will be looking to make yet another statement when the Taipans come to town. In the previous meetings this year between these two teams, Cotton has been virtually unstoppable and has been open about how much he enjoys playing the Taipans. Outside of Cotton, it has been Kristian Doolittle who has really stepped up as a strong offensive weapon since returning from injury.

The Taipans may have to lean on the likes of Sam Waardenburg and Tanner Groves in this matchup out West, as their guards will likely be focused on limiting Cotton’s impact. Both Waardenburg and Groves have had very strong seasons for Cairns, when they haven’t been struggling through injury, and both will be hoping to finish the year strong.

The stat: Bryce Cotton is the first in the league for scoring (27 points per game). 

Missing in action: Dylan Windler is a game time decision (eye).

Brisbane vs Melbourne

When: Sunday, January 26 - 2:30pm AEDT
Where: Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo, Channel 10 | International
Scores: Download the free NBL App

Watch for: After United’s big win over Perth on Wednesday, they put themselves back into the hunt for second spot on the ladder. With just three games to go, this is also their last game on the road before heading back to John Cain Arena. In case both of those reasons weren’t enough motivation already, it was the Bullets who scored a big win over United in December before the road trip began.

For the Bullets, it’s all about finishing the season on the right note after battling through injuries for the past few months. For a team like Brisbane that cannot play finals, the last few games are an opportunity for some players to show that they deserve a bigger opportunity for the following season.

Players to watch: It’s no surprise that United managed to beat Perth on the back of Jack White’s career best game. When he is aggressive and playing well, it’s a completely different looking Melbourne team. While he was fantastic on the offensive end, it was Shea Ili’s defensive effort on Bryce Cotton that had them in control.

Outside of the two imports for Brisbane who have been consistently putting up numbers this season, the Bullets will be hoping that Josh Bannon finishes out the season strong. After battling through his own injuries, Bannon has had to play out of position multiple times and yet still found a way to be very impactful.

The stat: Melbourne is first in the league for assists (20.9 per game).

Missing in action: Sam McDaniel is out for the season (shoulder). James Batemon is out for season (hamstring). Tyrell Harrison is out (concussion). Deng Adel is a game time decision (hip).

Adelaide vs New Zealand

When: Sunday, January 26 - 4.30pm AEDT
Where: Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo, 10 BOLD | International
Scores: Download the free NBL App

Watch for: While many will favour Adelaide in this game, it may not be so much about if the 36ers win but rather how much they can win by. The 36ers are in a race with Tasmania for the sixth spot on the ladder, which will have them in an elimination Play-In game if they can make it there. As much as wins are crucial for this team, there is a very strong chance that it could come down to percentage between them and the reigning champions.

The Breakers on the other hand will be in a similar position to Brisbane, where they want to finish the season on a positive note but also give some young players an opportunity to shine.

Players to watch: Two of the most exciting point guards in the league will face off in this game, with Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Kendric Davis set to lock horns. Not only are both of these superstars capable of having big individual games, but being the two fastest players in the league, they should provide plenty of highlights.

Another key player to watch is Next Star, Karim Lopez, who has been simply fantastic in his first season in the NBL. The teenage sensation has already improved so much over NBL25, which has NBA eyes locked in to what he could achieve in the future.

The stat: Kendric Davis is the second leading scorer in the league. 

Missing in action: N/A