The Run Home: Now or never for top four

There are two rounds left in this incredible NBL season and while the top six teams may be close to locked in, their order is still to be decided.

With some key matchups between the teams battling out for a second chance in the Play-In Tournament, it perhaps has never been more important for teams to avoid finishing fifth and potentially facing a red-hot Adelaide.

17 wins, 9 losses, 109.88 per cent
(Games remaining: 3)

It was another unexpected loss to the Taipans for the ladder leaders, but the Hawks still have destiny in their own hands to finish on top. They will go into the next two games as strong favourites to win, and all it will take is one win to lock in the spot they rightly deserve. They’ve been the best team all season and their healthy percentage reflects that.

The run home
R19: @ Tasmania
R20: @ New Zealand
R20: Vs Sydney

17 wins, 10 losses, 104.34 per cent
(Games remaining: 2)

After their poor performances in Round 17, United bounced back with two big wins last week and have put themselves back in the driver’s seat for a top two finish. It was their win over Perth that cemented their cause, because it pushed the Wildcats further down the ladder as well. The last two games are always tough tests for Dean Vickerman’s men, but if they play like they did last round, they’ll avoid the Play-In.

The run home
R19: Vs Tasmania
R20: Vs South East Melbourne 

  16 wins, 11 losses, 104.24 per cent
(Games remaining: 2)

The Kings split the previous round and although it may have hurt their chances at finishing second, they can still lock up a home Play-In game by taking care of business in the next two weeks. It’s not going to be easy, as they face a Perth team who are also trying to secure the same thing and a Hawks team who would love to sweep their rivals. 

The run home

R19: @ Perth
R20: @Illawarra

15 wins, 11 losses, 105.78 per cent
(Games remaining: 3)

Similar to the Kings, the Phoenix split the round and while they still sit comfortably in the top six, they have some big challenges ahead of them to finish the season. A road trip across to Perth, who is coming off two losses, before returning home to face a red-hot Adelaide team is a tough way to start. Everything the Phoenix have been building towards, will be decided in Round 19, as it will likely indicate whether they finish in the top four or an elimination play-in game.

 The run home
R19: @ Perth
R19: Vs Adelaide
R20: @ Melbourne

15 wins, 11 losses, 103.03 per cent
(Games remaining: 3)

The Wildcats entered last round in second spot and with a comfortable schedule to finish the season, they looked destined to finish second. However, John Rillie’s men suffered two losses on their home floor, and it dropped them to fifth on the ladder. They now face a big task to try and get back into the top four, otherwise that Round 20 match-up against Adelaide could be their Play-In preview.

The run home

R19: Vs South East Melbourne
R19: @ Sydney
R20: Vs Adelaide 

13 wins, 13 losses, 98.27 per cent
(Games remaining: 3)

Not only do the 36ers look locked into the finals, they now have a legitimate chance of getting a home Play-In game if they take care of business. For that to happen, they would still need either the Wildcats or Phoenix to drop games in the last two weeks, which makes the last two games so crucial for everyone involved.

The run home
R19: Vs Brisbane
R19: @ South East Melbourne
R20: @ Perth

12 wins, 14 losses, 95.65 per cent
(Games remaining: 3)

The injury problem for the reigning champions has become too tough of a task for a team that has battled through so much adversity. The JackJumpers have been battling against the odds all season, and now find themselves on the outside of the playoff picture. They still have a chance to make it to the top six if they can win all of their games and hope that Adelaide drops some, but their task looks increasingly tough. 

The run home
R19: Vs Illawarra
R19: @ Melbourne
R20: Vs Cairns

11 wins, 16 losses, 94.30 per cent
(Games remaining: 2)

Similar to Tasmania, the Bullets' season is over after they struggled to find a way to navigate through injuries in recent weeks. At one point after the FIBA Break, this team was rolling offensively and stringing together some big wins, but with key pieces missing time, it became too much to overcome. Their remaining two games are a chance to finish the season out in the best way they possibly can.

The run home
R19: @ Adelaide
R20: @ Cairns

9 wins, 18 losses, 93.58 per cent
(Games remaining: 2)

New Zealand has two final chances to end the season on a positive note and it will be looking to replicate their big New Years Eve win over Cairns in Round 19. It’s been a disappointing second half to the season for the Breakers, and they will be looking back and wondering how it all fell apart, but the focus now is to just get one more win for the fans before it is all over.  

The run home
R19: Vs Cairns
R20: @ Illawarra

7 wins, 19 losses, 91.73 per cent
(Games remaining: 3)

Don’t look now, but the Taipans are one of the hottest teams in the league after beating the ladder leaders and then heading to Perth and winning in double overtime. They have three very winnable games to finish out the season and it would be a very positive feeling for Adam Forde if they can at least get two of those done.

The run home
R19: @ New Zealand
R20: Vs Brisbane
R20: @ Tasmania