NBL Finals: Who plays who and when after stunning finish to season

The NBL’s top six has finally been decided but it took the last pair of free throws of the season to lock it in. FULL PLAY-IN AND FINALS SCHEDULE

South East Melbourne is back in the mix for NBL finals after a top-six race decided by the last score of the season.

Perth’s Brady Manek hit a pair of free throws to give the Wildcats a 12-point win over Sydney and leapfrog Melbourne United by 0.06 per cent into sixth.

SEE THE FULL POSTSEASON SCHEDULE BELOW

It means fifth-placed Phoenix, after just missing the playoffs last season, will host the Wildcats on Thursday night in the sudden-death play-in qualifier.

The winner of that game will face the loser of the seeding qualifier between third-placed Cairns and Tasmania in fourth for a chance to take on top-of-the-table Sydney in the semi-finals.

The Taipans and JackJumpers will square off later Thursday, the winner to advance straight to the semi-finals against second-placed New Zealand.

You’d be smiling too if you’d just sewn up an NBL play-in berth. Picture: Getty Images

FINAL NBL23 LADDER

1. SYD (19 wins)

Points %: 108.55

Top spot locked away, but lost last two games of the season and now have an 11-day break before they play again. Not ideal, but star guard Derrick Walton is also dealing with a wrist injury, the severity of which is yet to be revealed and the break could boost his chances of being ready to go.

2. NZB (18)

Points %: 107.88

Stitched up second on percentage with a pair of last-round wins.

3. CNS (18)

Points %: 103.32

Beat Perth but fell into the play-in tournament after NZ came home hard. Will host Tasmania in the Seeding Qualifier.

4. TAS (16)

Points %: 103.47

Smacked Illawarra to seal finals berth for second time in their two years in the NBL, stitching up fourth spot and a date with the Taipans.

5. SEM (15)

Points %: 101.63

Locked into fifth after United’s win. Will host Perth Thursday night in sudden death.

6. PER (15)

Points %: 100.47

Brady Manek went from villain to hero in the space of two free throws. Snuck in by 0.06 per cent. Will throw caution to the wind against a well-rested Phoenix.

7. MEL (15)

Points %: 100.41

Beat Adelaide but had hearts broken when Perth snuck ahead of them by the last pair of free throws of the season.

8. ADE (13)

Points %: 98.04

Came home with a wet sail and pushed United all the way. Big off-season ahead.

Originally published as NBL Finals: Who plays who and when after stunning finish to season