New Zealand Breakers vs Illawarra Hawks NBL Betting Tips - Hawks to keep playoff hopes alive

Jeremy Darke

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Last updated: Fri 06 Feb 2026 10:40

Jeremy Darke 06 Feb 2026

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New Zealand Breakers vs Illawarra Hawks expert predictions for Saturday’s Round 20 NBL matchup
Breakers face Illawarra in a must-win scenario
Hawks maintain playoff hopes with new momentum

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Illawarra Hawks (Getty Images)

New Zealand Breakers vs Illawarra Hawks Preview
New Zealand Breakers Need To Win
Illawarra Hawks Keep Dream Alive

New Zealand Breakers vs Illawarra Hawks Preview

It's a crucial game for both sides and must win. Reigning champions Illawarra Hawks can keep their dream alive and end New Zealand Breakers' playoff hopes in the process.

New Zealand has lost 4 of their last 5 home matches.
Illawarra has won 2 of their last 3 away matches.
Illawarra have scored 99+ points in each of the last 5 matches.
New Zealand has conceded 90+ points in each of their last 5 matches.
Q.J Peterson has hit 3+ threes in 7 of his last 8 games.

New Zealand Breakers Need To Win

The Breakers started off their match against the Phoenix superbly on Thursday evening, but it all went downhill from there.

A three-point lead after the first quarter turned into a 114-83 defeat, getting completely outplayed in the second half with South East Melbourne doubling their Breakers output scoring just 31 points to the Phoenix 62 points.

New Zealand couldn’t compete with the three-point barrage from the Phoenix, sinking just 5 of 20 from the perimeter, which was basically where the game was won and lost.

With Illawarra getting an upset against Adelaide, the Breakers finals hopes are getting slimmer by the day, now dropping behind the Hawks into 8th and also having one less game to play. A loss to Illawarra on Saturday would all but rule the Breakers out of the postseason.

Illawarra Hawks Keep Dream Alive

What a win for the Hawks, keeping their playoff hopes alive with a 100-99 win over Adelaide on Thursday night.

It was the last second drama with Hawks defensive lockdown king Wani Swaka Lo Buluk tipping in a late rebound to give Illawarra the go-ahead points then protecting the rim to seal victory at his own end of the court.

The win was the Hawks third in five matches in what is their best patch of victories this season, still giving them a slim hope of catching the JackJumpers in sixth place.

How the won was just as important as they attempt to build momentum in the final three games of the season. Will Hickey and Tyler Harvey both popped on the same night with 22 points each while JaVale McGee took his post in the paint collecting 14 rebounds.

Verdict

New Zealand Breakers v Illawarra Hawks

Illawarra to cover the line of 4.5 points as the away favourite by scoring over 95.5 points with Q.J Peterson dropping at least 3 threes.

Illawarra -4.5

Handicap/Line

@10/11 - 2 Units

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Illawarra Over 95.5

Team Total

@9/10 - 2 Units

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Q.J Peterson

3+ Three Pointers

@17/23 - 3 Units

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