A NBL double-header tonight allows fans some basketball action before welcoming in the new year, with a pair of New Year’s Eve contests in the northern states. Illawarra Hawks host Tasmania JackJumpers up first from 5:30pm local time, before Cairns Taipans take on South East Melbourne Phoenix in Far North Queensland two hours later.

The two games are part of the Ignite Cup where one of the Taipans or Phoenix will grab their first win in the format. To be fair, the Phoenix have only played one Ignite Cup game this season, while Cairns is 0-2. Tasmania JackJumpers (2-1) sits fourth, while Illwarra Hawks are 1-2 from three games in sixth spot overall.

In the bigger scheme of things, the Phoenix and JackJumpers are firmly in Play-In contention, though the former have their eyes set on a bigger prize of top two. They were in second earlier in the week, but multiple victories to Melbourne United and a win to Sydney Kings saw the Phoenix drop back to fourth spot. The JackJumpers are in that last Play-In spot, holding on following a nail-biting win over the Phoenix last start.

Illawarra Hawks need to have a perfect run to be any chance of cracking into that spot, and it starts with a victory over the JackJumpers tonight. The New South Wales side is 6-13 on the season and simply has to get a move on. Cairns Taipans is on the bottom of the NBL ladder with a 5-15 record, but only one win and percentage behind the Hawks in what has been a fairly even season overall.

Illawarra Hawks vs. Tasmania JackJumpers
Wednesday, December 31 @ 5:30pm
WIN Entertainment Centre

These two sides have not faced off since way back in Round 2 on September 27, where at the same venue, the JackJumpers spoiled the party with a nail-biting 91-86 victory. A lot has changed since that day, but Tasmania still looms as the favourite given the Hawks’ inconsistent form.

The Hawks have not been helped by injuries to key players in Tyler Harvey, Sam Froling and Jonah Bolden. Those outs have allowed JaVale McGee (21.9 points, 10.3 rebounds) to put up some big numbers, while QJ Peterson (16.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists) has done well alongside him.

For the JackJumpers, import Bryce Hamilton has been a brilliant addition, averaging 19.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists, while Josh Bannan (14.8 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists) and Will Magnay (9.8 points, 7.0 rebounds) are crucial players off the boards.

The JackJumpers should be too strong in this one, though the Hawks will want to finish off 2025 on a high so expect a tight contest.

Cairns Taipans vs. South East Melbourne Phoenix
Wednesday, December 31 @ 5:30pm
Cairns Convention Centre

In the third from four clashes between these two sides, South East Melbourne eyes off making it a 3-0 head-to-head after previous victories in Rounds 1 and 9 by 37 points and then 11 points, respectively. The Phoenix are charging towards another finals series, while the Taipans have struggled, and are looking to get off the bottom of the table soon.

Jack McVeigh has done a power of work for the Taipans, averaging 20.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists, but needs some support. Cairns has had the likes of Andrew Andrews, Sam Waardenburg and Admiral Schofield all stand up at different times, but just needs to find the balance where they do it together to come away with a result.

South East Melbourne has no shortage of depth, and adding Ian Clark to the roster is huge. He, along with Nathan Sobey make the Phoenix a menace from long-range, while John Brown III is coming off an impressive game, and Jordan Hunter is a natural board-crasher. The Phoenix are the only side with a clean bill of health and are in ripping form leading into the pointy end of the season.

Simply have to go with the Phoenix in this one. Stronger, more consistent and no injuries which all adds up to a really strong tilt at the premiership. Hopefully the Taipans can keep it competitive and give their fans something to cheer for on New Year’s Eve.