NBL26 Finals Race: The Finals Picture is Clearer with One Round Remaining

With just one game left for each team in the NBL26 regular season, the finals picture is a lot clearer. 

Round 22 is likely to decide the seedings of the top 5 teams. Check out the full slate of Matchups for Round 22.

Sydney currently sit 1st on the ladder with a 7% better points differential. They take on the last placed Brisbane Bullets on Friday and are big favourites to win, ensuring they finish on top.

Adelaide matchup gainst Perth in the final game of the round on Friday night. It is no easy feat trying to beat the Wildcats at RAC, even if Bryce Cotton knows that hardwood like the back of his hand. They should win but won't be able to make up the points difference.

The Phoenix would need Adelaide to lose to have any chance of finishing in the top 2. They have a better points percentage than the 36ers and would leapfrog them in that situaiton should they beat Melbourne United on Thursday. If Sydney were also to lose they would need to make up 3% in differential to take top spot, not impossible but unlikely.

Perth can't finish higher than 4th but can fall to 5th if they lose against Adelaide and Melbourne United beat the Phoenix. It will be interesting to see what lineup John Rillie throws out and how he uses his rotations against Adelaide. 

United are currently 5th and are in a spot of poor form. They would need to win by a margin over SEM and for Perth to lose by a few points at home vs Adelaide to have any hope of jumping up to 4th. With the loss to Illawarra still in their minds, its likely they lose to SEM and finish 5th.

Tasmania cannot go up or down in the seeding and may rest players in their final game against the Hawks on Wednesday. While it is the final regular season home game and they would have a long break until their elimination play-in game, the risk of injury to an already thin squad could be too high.