NBL Ladder 2023: games and results for each team still in position to make the finals predictions

Eight of the 10 clubs still have mathematical chances of making the postseason, and NBL owner Larry Kestelman says that’s exactly what the league had in mind when it expanded its top 4 into a play-in format that would feature six teams opportunity to win the title.

SCROLL DOWN FOR OUR RESULTS AND LADDER PREDICTOR

“The Play-In tournament is such an achievement and it’s so important because everyone feels like they can actually win this thing,” Kestelman told News Corp.

“It doesn’t matter that you’re third from the bottom, you feel like you can win this championship and end up walking away with all your marbles, so I think it’s already a huge achievement. The season was phenomenal.”

ANTICIPATED RESULTS AND LADDER

Adelaide would take a miracle from the basketball gods to sneak in, but seven still doesn’t make six, so which team will have the worst luck in the NBL?

1. SYD (17 wins)

Running home: TAS (A), SEM (H), ADE (A), PER

Prediction: L (CLUBS), L, W, W – 19 Wins (First)

Completed a minor slump by pounding the JackJumpers into Tassie. Will lead the table and be the best team in it. It’s hard to see anyone beat her in a series.

2. CNS (16)

Running home: SEM (A), BNE (A), ADE (H), PER (A)

Prediction: L (TICK), W, W, L – 18 wins (second)

Won six times in a row before stumbling against the desperate JackJumpers and then a hungry Phoenix in Melbourne. Should have the two wins needed to finish second ahead of a blockbuster in Perth.

3. NCB (15)

Running home: BNE (A), MEL (H), ILL (A), BNE (A)

Prediction: W (TICK), L, W, W – 17 wins (3rd)

Smacked Brisbane and their toughest game is United. Typed Melbourne without any confidence whatsoever as Breakers squad found health at the right time.

4. SEM (15)

Running home: CNS (H), SYD (A)

Prediction: W (TICK), W – 16 wins (fifth)

Beat the Taipans in Heartland and you are arguably the best-equipped team to beat the kings. Ryan Broekhoff’s injury is a major concern, but Trey Kell’s performance against the Taipans in his absence was a consolation they didn’t have last year.

5. PRO (13)

Running home: ILL (H), TAS (A), CNS (H), SYD (H)

Prediction: W, L, W, L – 15 wins (seventh)

Expect them to miss for the second year in a row. John Rillie deserves credit for messing up the game plan, scrapping defense and trying to win shootouts, but no matter how tired they were against the Phoenix, is it conducive to wins when the pressure is really high?

6. TAS (14)

Running home: SYD (H), PER (H), ILL (A)

Prediction: W (CLUBS), W, W – 17 wins (fourth)

We all underestimate them time and again and their efforts against the kings could be the reason. Sunday’s clash against Perth will be decisive – no place in the top six is ​​certain yet.

7. Mel (14)

Running home: NZB (A), ADE (H)

Prognosis: W, W – 16 wins (sixth)

Are they the second best team in it? Perhaps not without Shea Ili, but they have won eight of their last nine, including five in a row, and would envision winning both games and securing a place in the finals that once seemed unlikely.

8. ADE (11)

Running home: CNS (A), SYD (H), MEL (A)

Prognosis: L, L, L – 11 wins (eighth)

The desperation is gone – if it was ever there this season. Back to the drawing board for the Sixers.

Originally published as NBL Run Home and Ladder: Which Six Teams Will Reach the NBL Finals?