Race to Finals: The experts' predictions

As the NBL season approaches its climax, each game has never been more important. With some teams trying to fight for a top two spot and avoid the Play-In Tournament, others are playing for survival in the top six, and the rest are trying to spoil the party.

It's another season that looks as close as ever and if history tells us anything, there's still plenty of moving and shaking left in the standings before the season concludes. 

Our experts had a go at the Ladder Predictor to see where everything could end up.

CLICK HERE FOR THE MITSUBISHI MOTORS LADDER PREDICTOR

Consensus pick with Illawarra finishing top
They have looked to be the leading contender all season long and that’s what the experts believe, too. Every one of them has the Hawks locked into top spot by the end of the season, giving them the best chance at a championship.

Four have Perth finish second, five have Melbourne finish second
It’s a mixed bag between who finishes second and avoid the play-in tournament, with four predicting Perth will storm home and finish second and five selecting Melbourne. One has South East Melbourne to continue their fairytale turnaround and reach second after beginning the season 0-5.

Nine have Adelaide missing the top six
With their shock loss in Tasmania, it was nearly unanimous that Adelaide would miss the top six from here on out with only one believing they could scrape into sixth spot. 

One has Tasmania missing out
With their injury list and a tough schedule remaining, one expert believes the reigning champions could fall all the way out of the post-season. In fact, if their prediction is accurate, it would be only percentage that would split Adelaide and Tasmania in that final play-in spot. 

Eight have South East Melbourne top four
It would put the icing on the cake as an incredible turnaround with eight experts believing that the Phoenix will finish top four. The team that started the season 0-5, could prove to be one of the most dangerous teams in contention.

Six predictions could see rivalry Semi-Final series matchups
In six of the ladders, it sets up for a potential Illawarra vs Sydney in one Semi-Final and Melbourne vs South East Melbourne in the other. That would eventuate if both the Kings and Phoenix made it through the Play-in tournament.

Derek Rucker
Illawarra
Perth
South East Melbourne
Melbourne
Sydney
Tasmania
Adelaide
Brisbane
New Zealand
Cairns

Pete Hooley
Illawarra
Perth
Melbourne
South East Melbourne
Sydney
Tasmania
Adelaide
New Zealand
Brisbane
Cairns

Felix Von hofe
Illawarra
Perth
South East Melbourne
Melbourne
Sydney
Adelaide
Tasmania
Brisbane
New Zealand
Cairns

Lanard Copeland
Illawarra
Perth
Melbourne
Sydney
South East Melbourne
Tasmania
Brisbane
Adelaide
New Zealand
Cairns

Olgun Uluc
Illawarra
Melbourne
Perth
Sydney
South East Melbourne
Tasmania
Adelaide
New Zealand
Brisbane
Cairns

Liam Santamaria
Illawarra
Melbourne
Perth
South East Melbourne
Sydney
Tasmania
Adelaide
Brisbane
New Zealand
Cairns

Brad Rosen
Illawarra
Melbourne
South East Melbourne
Sydney
Perth
Tasmania
Adelaide
Brisbane
New Zealand
Cairns

Jack Heverin
Illawarra
Melbourne
South East Melbourne
Sydney
Perth
Tasmania
Brisbane
Adelaide
New Zealand
Cairns

Tom Abercrombie
Illawarra
Melbourne
Perth
South East Melbourne
Sydney
Tasmania
Adelaide
New Zealand
Brisbane
Cairns

Kelsey Browne
Illawarra
South East Melbourne
Melbourne
Perth
Sydney
Tasmania
Brisbane
Adelaide
New Zealand
Cairns

CLICK HERE FOR THE MITSUBISHI MOTORS LADDER PREDICTOR