NBL26 Round 3

This preview has expired.

See all our latest betting tips or suggested betting sites

Friday 5
Saturday 6
Sunday 7
Monday 8
Tuesday 9
Wednesday 10
Thursday 11
Friday 12
Saturday 13
Sunday 14
Monday 15

Perth Wildcats vs Illawarra Hawks NBL26 Round 3 Tips - Hawks tough it out in Perth

Jeremy Darke

Editor

Last updated: Tue 30 Sep 2025 14:23

Jeremy Darke 30 Sep 2025

Share this article

Perth Wildcats vs Illawarra Hawks expert predictions for Thursday’s Round 3 NBL matchup
Tip-off is at 9:30 PM AEST at RAC Arena
Expect over 179.5 total points – high scoring match likely.
Dylan Windler forecasted for 15+ points; backcourt battle key.

Perth Wildcats vs Illawarra Hawks NBL26 Round 3 Tips

Perth Wildcats vs Illawarra Hawks NBL25 Round 3 Expert Tips

Illawarra are tipped to cover as 4.5-point underdogs on the road against the Wildcats in Perth on Thursday night.

Perth Wildcats vs Illawarra Hawks NBL25 Round 3 Expert Tips
Head to Head
Perth Wildcats Form & Team News
Illawarra Hawks Form & Team News
Perth Wildcats vs Illawarra Hawks Frequently Asked Questions

The Hawks title defence did not go as planned going down on banner raising night to the JackJumpers. A new team and a lot of travel due to the Intercontinental Cup is a good excuse for the Hawks, however they will be desperate to chalk up their first win of the season against the Wildcats in Round 3.

Perth are living the life after Cotton and creating a new identity with their big men running the show. Jo Lual-Acuil and Kristian Doolittle have been dominant but they will have their handsful with JaVale Mcgee, who dominated for the Hawks in his first NBL match.

With both front courts negating each other, I’m expecting this one to be more about the small forwards and back court with the team that can hit the mid-rangers and threes getting up here.

That is why I like the Over 179.5 and am also expecting a big performance from Perth’s Dylan Windler. Windler will score 15+ but I do expect this one to go down to the wire which is why I am taking Illawarra with the start.

Illawarra have won 5 of the last 6 matches vs Perth
The last 4 matches between Perth and Illawarra have hit the over on the game total
Perth’s final 10 matches of NBL25 at RAC Arena had a game total over 179.5 points.
Dylan Windler had 20 points in Perth’s last match against New Zealand.

Head to Head

NBL25 Match Results

Date	Home Team	Score	Line	Total Points
22/12/2024	ILL	ILL 120-88	ILL -6.0	O 205.0
06/12/2024	PER	ILL 121-111	ILL +2.0	O 192.5
01/11/2024	PER	PER 113-105	PER +2.5	O 180.5

NBL25 Offensive & Defensive Rankings

PER Off	Rank	Stat	Rank	ILL Def
80.5	8	PPG	9	91
46.5	3	RPG	5	43
40.4%	8	FG%	5	42.5%
20.0%	9	3P%	7	30.6%
12.5	6	TOV	9	9

PER Def	Rank	Stat	Rank	ILL Off
76.5	1	PPG	5	86
42.5	4	RPG	7	43
39.2%	1	FG%	4	46.7%
25.5%	3	3P%	6	27.3%
11	7	TOV	4	11

Perth Wildcats Form & Team News

Perth have started the new season with a 1-1 record in two very different performances. A loss to Tassie which felt like it was a shaky first game of the season performance, followed by a more encouraging showing in their 89-78 win over the breakers in New Zealand.

Perth has been about the back court lately with MVP Bryce Cotton dictating the offence. With Cotton gone John Rillie has transformed the Wildcats into a more front court dominant team with Jo Lual-Acuil and Kristian Doolittle controlling the offence.

Dylan Windler also came alive in Game 2 for the Wildcats recording 20 points and 15 rebounds, complementing JLA who finished with 21 points and 8 rebounds.

Illawarra Hawks Form & Team News

The Hawks banner night and Championship defence did not get off to the best start, going down at home 91-86 to the Tasmanian JackJumpers.

The hawks looked a little flustered without Trey Kell lll who has left the club and his replacement Will Hickey out with an eye injury for the next few weeks. Illawarra lacked direction and relied heavily on the production of JaVale McGee who was a real show-stopper in his first NBL match, collecting 32 points, 13 rebounds 2 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocks simply filling up the stats sheet.

Perth Wildcats vs Illawarra Hawks Frequently Asked Questions

What time does Perth Wildcats vs Illawarra Hawks start?

Tip-off between Perth Wildcats vs Illawarra Hawks is at 9:30 PM AEST, Thursday, October 2

What channel is Perth Wildcats vs Illawarra Hawks on?

You can watch Perth Wildcats vs Illawarra Hawks on ESPN via Kayo and Foxtel.

Verdict

Perth Wildcats v Illawarra Hawks

Dylan Windler will score 15+ points and help push the game total over 179.5 points, however it won’t stop Illawarra from covering as the underdog.

Illawarra +4.5

Handicap/Line

$1.91 - 3 Units

Lightning fast betting

Join with code BETSAU

18+. T&Cs apply

Bet at Elitebet

Over 179.5

Game Total

$1.92 - 2 Units

The GOAT.

Ahead of the Game.

Join Australia's newest online bookmaker with code BETSAU and enjoy exciting new ways to bet. The app is among the fastest in the market. What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit.

Bet at betr

Dylan Windler

15+ Player Points

$1.76 - 3 Units

Download the dabble app

with referral code BETSAU

Download the dabble app, enter referral code BETSAU to enjoy Dabble, the betting app with a difference! Bet as normal with & also be part of Australia's betting community where you can follow punters and sports stars, copy their bets, have banter with your mates & watch Sky Racing channels. 18+. T&Cs apply. What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit.

Bet at dabble