Illawarra Hawks vs Cairns Taipans predictions, Jan 03, 2026

Score, Highlights

Short Preview

In an exciting Australian NBL matchup, the Illawarra Hawks will take on the Cairns Taipans on January 3, 2026. The Hawks, playing on their home court, have shown a slightly better form recently, winning 2 of their last 5 matches compared to the Taipans’ 1 win.

The bookmakers favor the Illawarra Hawks to win at 1.34 odds, with the Cairns Taipans as underdogs at 3.08 odds. Our model prediction also leans towards the home team, giving them a 67.4% probability of securing the win. The predicted final score reflects a close matchup with a score of 96:89 in favor of the Hawks.

Both teams will need to focus on their strengths to secure the victory. The Hawks will rely on their home court advantage and offensive prowess, while the Taipans will look to capitalize on any defensive weaknesses from their opponents.

Overall, this matchup promises to be an exciting and closely contested game, with both teams having the potential to come out on top. Fans can expect a thrilling display of basketball skills from both sides as they battle it out on the court.

This preview is generated with the Welcome.Bet AI Insights Engine, combining form data, betting odds, and semantic SEO optimization to deliver relevant match analysis for fans and bettors alike from 2026-01-01T03:52:02+00:00.

Illawarra 69.3%

Taipans 30.7%

Prediction (the most likely score): 95:88

Outrights of Australian NBL Illawarra Hawks: 4.3% Cairns Taipans: 0.8%

Watch and Bet Illawarra – Taipans available at: Bet Now (Full Screen)

Betting Odds

	1	X	2
	1.3		3.1	Watch and Bet
	1.36		2.9
	1.38		3.1

Latest Results

31.12.25 Illawarra Hawks – Tasmania JackJumpers – 92:90 25.12.25 Sydney Kings – Illawarra Hawks – 108:84 20.12.25 Illawarra Hawks – Adelaide 36ers – 78:84 18.12.25 Melbourne United – Illawarra Hawks – 97:75 11.12.25 Illawarra Hawks – Brisbane Bullets – 100:85

31.12.25 Cairns Taipans – South East Melbourne Phoenix – 96:111 24.12.25 Adelaide 36ers – Cairns Taipans – 93:73 21.12.25 Sydney Kings – Cairns Taipans – 119:77 19.12.25 Cairns Taipans – New Zealand Breakers – 99:95 13.12.25 Cairns Taipans – Tasmania JackJumpers – 68:81

Facts

In this match, only outsiders will meet (ranked 8 and 10).

In the last 5 head-to-head matches, Illawarra won 2.

Illawarra has had mixed results lately (last 5 games: 2 wins).

Taipans has been struggling lately (in the last 5 games, wins – 1).

In this match, Illawarra is the team to beat.

In the last 20 head-to-head matches, Illawarra won 11 matches, drew 0 matches, lost 9 matches, and goals 1820:1717. (average 91:85.9).

Including home matches between the teams, Illawarra won 6 matches, drew 0 matches, lost 4 matches, and goals 895:859. (average 89.5:85.9).

Latest Head To Head

06.12.25 Illawarra Hawks – Cairns Taipans – 76:93 07.11.25 Cairns Taipans – Illawarra Hawks – 90:107 23.01.25 Cairns Taipans – Illawarra Hawks – 100:94 03.01.25 Illawarra Hawks – Cairns Taipans – 105:108 19.10.24 Cairns Taipans – Illawarra Hawks – 75:87

Standings

2025/26

		Pl	W	L		PCT
1	Adelaide	21	17	4	1950:1799	0.810
2	Melbourne United	22	15	7	2083:1955	0.682
3	South East Melbourne	21	14	7	2027:1854	0.667
4	Sydney	20	13	7	1893:1700	0.650
5	Perth	21	11	10	1855:1820	0.524
6	Tasmania JackJumpers	23	10	13	1975:1974	0.435
7	New Zealand Breakers	21	8	13	1859:1868	0.381
8	Illawarra Hawks	20	7	13	1773:1930	0.350
9	Brisbane Bullets	22	6	16	1877:2097	0.273
10	Cairns Taipans	21	5	16	1727:2022	0.238

Australian NBL Outrights

1. Adelaide 36ers: 2.4 (33.15%)

2. Melbourne United: 2.63 (30.25%)

3. South East Melbourne: 7.04 (11.3%)

4. Sydney Kings: 9.35 (8.51%)

5. Perth Wildcats: 11.2 (7.1%)

6. Illawarra Hawks: 18.5 (4.3%)

7. New Zealand Breakers: 32 (2.49%)

8. Tasmania JackJumpers: 65 (1.22%)

9. Brisbane Bullets: 90 (0.88%)

10. Cairns Taipans: 100 (0.8%)

Illawarra Hawks – Cairns Taipans and other Australian NBL events on our partner.