Christmas Hoops Return

Following on from the success of last years Christmas game and the popularity of Christmas games in leagues around the world, the NBL are hosting a huge double header that is sure to excite fans both at the stadiums, as well as sitting on the couch after a huge Christmas feast.

Firstly, the fourth placed Tasmanian JackJumpers host the fifth placed South East Melbourne Phoenix in a game that has huge finals implications. There will be plenty of fire power on the court, as Phoenix welcome star import Abdel Nader to form a devastating big three joining Mitch Creek and Alan Williams.  Tasmania are led by star imports Jordan Crawford and Milton Doyle, who will be making sure they send the home fans back happy with that Christmas joy.

The second leg of the double header sees an New South Wales battle between hosts and reining champs Sydney Kings and the Illawarra Hawks. The Hawks are flying under interim coach Justin Tatum, Who have won back-to-back games for the first time since the end of NBL22. The Kings have promised to play grinch and to “send the hawks home sad” as CEO Paul Smith renews the state rivalry. The game sees the Hawks try to end an 8-game losing streak to the home team Kings.

The festive games continue with the Hawks returning to host the 36ers, in a battle of the two teams who have so far changed coaches during the season. As talked about above, the coaching change has been beneficial for the Hawks, but the same can’t be said about the 36ers, who have still failed to find form.

Cairns host ladder leaders United in the other game to wrap up 2023, and United will feel confident in finishing the year on a high, as they continue to assert themselves as title favourites. Chris Goulding is being compared to Steph Curry, as CG43 enjoys another hot season from the 3-point line, averaging 18.6ppg.

Tasmania and the New Zealand Breakers open the new year, and for the Breakers, they’ll be hoping the new year brings them newfound form, as they have struggled to find the form that led them to the finals just last season.