Illawarra Hawks vs Adelaide 36ers Tips - NBL27 Round 3
The Illawarra Hawks host the Adelaide 36ers after starting their season with three road losses and conceding a league-high 106.3 points per game. Adelaide, meanwhile, hold a strong 2-1 record and have dominated recent head-to-head meetings, winning seven of the last eight. Bryce Cotton, averaging a league-best 30.3 points per game, is tipped to excel against Illawarra's shaky defence. Recommended bets include Adelaide -5.5, over 185.5 total points, and Cotton scoring 4+ three-pointers.
- Adelaide 36ers favored to cover -5.5 vs Illawarra Hawks
- Bryce Cotton tipped for 4+ three-pointers vs league's weakest defence
- Over 185.5 total points looks likely given recent scoring trends
Illawarra Hawks vs Adelaide 36ers
Illawarra Hawks vs Adelaide 36ers NBL27 Expert Tips
The Adelaide 36ers are tipped to cover the -5.5 line against the winless Illawarra Hawks on Friday night, with Bryce Cotton facing a defence that has struggled badly through the opening rounds.
- Illawarra Hawks vs Adelaide 36ers NBL27 Expert Tips
- Key Stats
- Illawarra Hawks vs Adelaide 36ers Head to Head
- Illawarra Hawks Form
- Adelaide 36ers Form
Illawarra finally return home after beginning the season with three straight road losses, but they have conceded a league-worst 106.3 points per game. Adelaide are 2-1 and have won seven of their past eight against the Hawks, while Cotton leads the NBL at 30.3 points per game.
That shaky Hawks defence also makes over 185.5 total points appealing. Illawarra games are averaging 198.3 points this season, with the Hawks scoring a respectable 92.0 per game despite their defensive problems.
Cotton 4+ three-pointers completes the selections. Illawarra are allowing opponents to shoot 35.4% from outside, ranked sixth defensively, while Cotton now gets another favourable matchup against a Hawks side struggling to slow opposition scorers.
Back Adelaide -5.5 and over 185.5 points, with Bryce Cotton 4+ three-pointers also tipped against Illawarra's struggling defence.
Key Stats
- Illawarra have conceded a league-high 106.3 points per game.
- Illawarra's games have averaged 198.3 total points.
- Bryce Cotton leads the NBL with 30.3 points per game.
- Adelaide have won seven of their past eight games against Illawarra.
Illawarra Hawks vs Adelaide 36ers Head to Head
Adelaide lead the all-time series 84-58 and have had the better of this matchup recently, winning seven of the past eight meetings. The 36ers won three of four last season, although Illawarra's lone victory was a convincing 100-99 home win in their most recent clash.
| Date | Home Team | Score | Line | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/02/2026 | ILL | ILL 100-99 | ILL +4.0 | O 188.5 |
| 20/12/2025 | ILL | ADE 84-78 | ILL +9.0 | U 184.0 |
| 19/11/2025 | ADE | ADE 97-85 | ADE -5.0 | U 186.5 |
| 02/11/2025 | ADE | ADE 90-88 | ILL +6.5 | U 184.0 |
| 13/01/2025 | ADE | ADE 91-88 | ADE +3.0 | U 203.0 |
Illawarra Hawks Form
Illawarra return home for the first time this season at 0-3 following road losses to New Zealand, Brisbane and Sydney. Their latest defeat was a 121-100 loss to the Kings, with the Hawks allowing Sydney to shoot 56% from the field and score 98 points through three quarters.
The Hawks are still producing 92.0 points per game themselves, but their defence has been the major problem. They have allowed at least 95 points in all three games and now face Adelaide and the league's leading scorer in Cotton.
Adelaide 36ers Form
Adelaide improved to 2-1 with an 83-69 home victory over Cairns on Sunday, responding well after their buzzer-beating loss in Perth. The 36ers held the Taipans to just 69 points and 38 points in the paint, while Nick Rakocevic led the way with 21 points and 12 rebounds.
Cotton added 25 points and is averaging 30.3 through his first three games for Adelaide. The 36ers are also allowing just 87.3 points per game, giving them a significant defensive advantage heading into Friday's matchup.
Verdict
Back Adelaide -5.5 and over 185.5 points, with Bryce Cotton 4+ three-pointers also tipped against Illawarra's struggling defence.
Adelaide -5.5
Line
$1.87 - 2 Units
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Over 185.5
Game Total
$1.87 - 3 Units
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