NBL26 Round13

Perth Wildcats vs South East Melbourne Phoenix NBL26 Round 13 Tips - Sobey leads the Phoenix to another road win

Jeremy Darke

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Last updated: Fri 19 Dec 2025 08:59

Jeremy Darke 19 Dec 2025

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Perth Wildcats vs South East Melbourne Phoenix expert predictions for Thursday’s Round 13 NBL matchup
Tip-off is at 9:30 PM AEDT at RAC Arena
Key players include Nathan Sobey aiming for 20+ points and Jo Lual-Acuil focusing on rebounds.
Phoenix have an impressive away record, winning 4 of their last 5 away games.

Perth Wildcats vs South East Melbourne Phoenix NBL26 Round 13 Tips

Perth Wildcats vs South East Melbourne Phoenix NBL25 Round 13 Expert Tips

South East Melbourne will get their wish and turn their match against Perth into a shootout at RAC Arena on Friday night with this game predicted to be high scoring with the underdog claiming victory on the road.

Perth Wildcats vs South East Melbourne Phoenix NBL25 Round 13 Expert Tips
Head to Head
Perth Wildcats Form & Team News
South East Melbourne Phoenix Form & Team News
Perth Wildcats vs South East Melbourne Phoenix Frequently Asked Questions

The Phoenix are in their element in high pace games that go back and forth all night long and that is what they will ensure happens in Perth. By putting the early scoreboard pressure on the Wildcats and attempting to play physical down low, it will force Perth away from their strengths of Jo Lual-Acuil and Kristian Doolittle, forcing their guards to make plays on offence.

Nathan Sobey will be on, just as he was against the Breakers and will drop 20+ points as he continues to be the most valuable player for the Phoenix this season.

JLA will need to have a big night against Jordan Hunter if the Wildcats are to be in this match, forcing the issue down low and winning the Physicality battle which can unhinge the Phoenix at times. Expect the Perth center to win the rebound battle for the Wildcats.

South East Melbourne have won 4 of their last 5 away matches.
The last 3 matches between SEM and Perth have gone over the game total of 182.5.
Nathan Sobey averages 21.5 points this season.
Jo Lual-Acuil has averaged 7.33 rebounds in his last 3 matches.

Head to Head

Last 5 Match Results

Date	Home Team	Score	Line	Total Points
02/11/2025	SEM	SEM 94-89	PER +5.5	U 185.5
11/02/2025	PER	PER 122-105	PER -5.5	O 202.5
31/01/2025	PER	PER 100-99	SEM +4.5	U 207.0
15/11/2024	PER	PER 97-84	PER -4.0	O 180.0
03/11/2024	SEM	SEM 100-76	SEM -2.0	U 177.5

Offensive & Defensive Rankings

PER Off	Rank	Stat	Rank	SEM Def
88.9	6	PPG	6	89.2
44.1	2	RPG	9	44
44.1%	8	FG%	9	46.4%
31.3%	8	3P%	8	33.5%
11.7	5	TOV	1	17.8

PER Def	Rank	Stat	Rank	SEM Off
86.8	4	PPG	1	96.9
41.3	5	RPG	8	41.2
43.1%	1	FG%	10	42.6%
32.3%	6	3P%	1	36.2%
10.1	9	TOV	3	10.3

Perth Wildcats Form & Team News

Despite getting a 24-point win against Brisbane in their second match of round 12, it was a bit of a slump week for the Wildcats who also took on a 29-point defeat at the hands of the Sydney Kings.

Perth were not in sync offensively scoring just 29 points in their loss to the Kings and 86 points in their victory over the Bullets, both scores below their season average of 88.9 points per game.

The wildcats strength has been their ability to dominate down low with Jo Lual-Acuil and Kristian Doolittle, however in both matches last round both players failed to score in the double digits, putting more pressure on their perimeter shooters, which didn’t enhance their offence.

The Cats shot at just 41.0 FG% against the Bullets going 11-37 from three and that number was obviously even worse in their heavy defeat to the Kings sinking buckets at just 33.3 FG% and an ugly 58.8 FT%.

South East Melbourne Phoenix Form & Team News

The Phoenix also had a win and a loss in Round 12, going down to the JackJumpers 89-81 in their Ignite Cup contest, but found their offence again in their 92-80 victory over the Breakers on Saturday.

The difference in performances, especially on the offensive side, was Nathan Sobey. It was a frustrating second half against the JackJumpers for the S.E.M leading scorer, who was frustrated physically and mentally by the JackJumpers defence, scoring just 1 point after a scuffle late in the second quarter.

No frustration was taken into the encounter with New Zealand, as Sobey settled and led the Phoenix with a season-high of 36 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. S.E Melbourne were also much better defensively, getting in the face of the Breakers who shot at 37.5 FG%.

Perth Wildcats vs South East Melbourne Phoenix Frequently Asked Questions

What time does Perth Wildcats vs South East Melbourne Phoenix start?

Tip-off between Perth Wildcats vs South East Melbourne Phoenix is at 9:30 PM AEDT, Thursday, December 18

What channel is Perth Wildcats vs South East Melbourne Phoenix on?

You can watch Perth Wildcats vs South East Melbourne Phoenix on ESPN via Kayo and Foxtel.

Verdict

Nathan Sobey will drop 20+ as the Phoenix score over 91.5 points on their way to victory. The battle down low will be intense and Jo Lual-Acuil will record 7+ rebounds.