Hoops Heaven’s Basketball Hustle – #NBL25 Episode 18

No surprise if Adelaide 36ers or South East Melbourne Phoenix reach NBL Championship Series, Perth Wildcats could be derailed, bravo Cairns Taipans, stop fouling Bul Kuol, Melbourne United ominous, TABtouch #PrideRound Preview.

The teams in the top six might appear set, but it's anyone's guess how those teams will finish with injuries unfortunately derailing hopes of Tasmania JackJumpers/Brisbane Bullets while the Phoenix/36ers emerge, United hit back, Wildcats/Hawks slip up and Kings are the great mysteries.

The Player of the Year award with votes from Simon Mitchell sees Bryce Cotton only leading Kendric Davis by a single vote while Wani Swaka Lo Buluk is just clinging to his lead over Shea Ili in #TheDamo Best Defensive Player from Damian Martin.

The Cairns Taipans beat the top two teams coming into Round 18 in the space of 48 hours with the league's biggest road trip in between and full credit to coach Adam Forde and the players led by Sam Waardenburg.

The Adelaide 36ers are an imposing team right now with Montrezl Harrell leading that intimidation factor and there's no question now that they look locked in to make the top six that they are going to be mighty dangerous come finals time.

The South East Melbourne Phoenix continue to shine and it's by committee with the likes of Joe Wieskamp coming up big as he shows he has plenty to offer in the NBL.

The Perth Wildcats suffered two losses at home in Round 18 and now have slipped all the way to fifth position and it could very well derail their championship prospects with Bryce Cotton having an uncharacteristic inefficient two performances.

Melbourne United had an impressive weekend with Ian Clark starring while their late game execution has them a standout as they now return home for the last two games for the first time in 2025.

The Sydney Kings had another mixed weekend where there was a lot of reliance on Jaylen Adams who had the ball in his hands an almighty amount while Bul Kuol has just refused to learn how to not foul with his aggressive defence.

The Illawarra Hawks had another slip up in Cairns against the Taipans with the quirk that their starters were terrible, and it was their bench that gave them a chance which isn't a recipe for championship success.

The New Zealand Breakers only have two games left in their season and we might not see Parker Jackson-Cartwright again after his rib injury, and we might not see him in the NBL again either.

We then wrap up this week's show with a preview of NBL Pride Round thanks to TABtouch highlighted by a pivotal Sunday double with the Sydney Kings v Perth Wildcats, and then South East Melbourne Phoenix v Adelaide 36ers.

All made possible thanks to the support of Hoops Heaven (www.hoopsheaven.com.au) and TABtouch (www.tabtouch.com.au).