The 12 days of hoops Xmas: The 15 NBL games in 12 days turbocharging basketball
All the NBL wants for Christmas is record crowds, record ratings and all eyes on Aussie hoops. Wishful thinking? Maybe not.
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The NBL says it’s giving fans what they want with a feast of 15 games in 12 days throughout the festive period.
The packed upcoming schedule features basketball games all over the country – and across the ditch – beginning this Friday.
“We always start our plans thinking through the lens of the fan first, with a focus on families,” NBL CEO David Stevenson said.
“Over this period, kids have finished school, adults are taking time off work and they’re looking for entertainment opportunities where they can be together.
“That’s why this is our sweet spot for basketball, for NBL, because those families want to be together, they want to be entertained.
“One of the great aspects of our game is, regardless of whether you’re a hardcore basketball fan or not, it’s an amazing two hours of entertainment.
“The 12 days of Christmas gives those opportunities for families to be busy during the day and then sit down in front of the TV or go along to the game that night with a guaranteed two hours of great entertainment.”
In the NBL’s groundbreaking Christmas Day debut two years ago, the clash between Sydney Kings and Melbourne United was the most-watched game of that season, delivering a viewership of more than 300,000 people on Christmas night.
Last year, over 375,000 people watched the Christmas double-header – Tasmania versus South East Melbourne and Sydney against Illawarra.
The bitter rivalry between the state rival Kings and Hawks could be a top-of-the-table clash by Christmas night, adding even more spark to what is one of the league’s must-watch fixtures.
While Stevenson reiterates a fans-first ethos, there are other factors at play that make a crammed end-of-year schedule advantageous.
Chiefly, the impending tennis season has a huge impact on venue availability, particularly in Melbourne and Perth, where the Wildcats’ RAC Arena is locked into the United Cup from December 27-January 5 and both United and the Phoenix are kicked off John Cain Arena for the first month of the year as the Australian Open takes hold.
“Those are the sometimes unique challenges that we face, given there are lots of concerts and other entertainment opportunities in our venues – in Auckland we have a similar challenge with venue availability,” Stevenson said.
“But being able to be flexible, to get away a lot of games in places like Melbourne, takes the pressure off, while not having to frontload too much.
“December’s an important period for Melbourne basketball fans, given we can’t play in John Cain Arena through all of January.”
United ploughs through 12 of its 14 JCA games before January 1. Its next home game will be played with the roof open against Tasmania on December 23.
Then the club doesn’t return home until February 1 and 8 – the last two rounds of the regular season.
The Phoenix, who share JCA as a home, shift three games to the State Basketball Centre in Wantirna and play one regional contest in the country Victorian town of Traralgon.
Both United and the Phoenix, ideally, would prefer to play all their home games at JCA – and spread them out more over the full season.
It’s an issue Stevenson is well aware of.
“We have a lot of conversations with both the Victorian government and Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust about that because it is a challenge we have to work through,” he said.
“They’re understanding of the challenges that we face and we’re certainly trying to find solutions but it is a challenge and that’s what we’ve got to work through, season-by-season, because school holidays are such an important period for families and we want to be able to have top NBL games in that period in Melbourne.”
The NBL has worked hard to make inroads into a summer period traditionally dominated by cricket and, in recent years, the Big Bash, but Stevenson is adamant it’s more admiration than competition when it comes to the bat and ball.
“We never really focus in on cricket as competitors, we listen to our fans and the fans are the ones that are saying ‘this is the time of year I’ve got an appetite to watch games every night’ and so that’s really what we’re tailoring to,” he said.
12 DAYS OF NBL CHRISTMAS
15 games in 12 days
ROUND 13
Fri, Dec 20
NZ v SYD, 5.30pm
On the back of six straight double-digit losses, it’d take a Christmas miracle for New Zealand to get within 20 of Sydney, especially with the ultra-mobile Kings ready to take advantage of the lumbering Tacko Fall. Sydney by lots as they continue to rise up the ladder.
BNE v CNS, 7.30pm
The Sunshine Stoush is looking very gloomy for Cairns, staring down the barrel of 13 straight losses. The Bullets are vastly improved and, after nine straight losses to the Taipans, they’ve emerged victorious in three of the last four. The Snakes will try to play Scrooge but Casey Prather and company have won three of their last four and must win if they want to avoid a sixth straight season without playoff action.
Sat, Dec 21
ADE v SEM, 8pm
The only way the NBL could have scripted this Christmas treat better is if it was against Melbourne United in Adelaide’s first return since the November 17 crowd blow up that rocked the league. The flying Phoenix have won three of their last four but must find a way to stop the NBL’s highest scoring duo in Montrezl Harrell and Kendric Davis, as Santa’s sleigh flies over them (probably) with the roof open at John Cain Arena.
Sun, Dec 22
ILL v PER, 2.30pm
A blockbuster in the ‘Gong. Only two weeks ago, the Hawks withstood a 40-piece from an other-worldly Bryce Cotton and have since smacked Melbourne United on their home deck to claim top spot. Expect Cotton to enjoy another Christmas feast but the Hawks to get the crackling in a duel between the two best offensive teams in the NBL.
Mon, Dec 23
MEL v TAS, 7.30pm
A rematch of the champions under the night sky couldn’t come at a worse time for Melbourne United. But the expected return of captain Chris Goulding from a calf injury is the early Christmas present they’ll be praying for. The Jackies will unveil their own present for fans with new signing Ian Hummer set for his first game as an Ant. Tassie is the form team of the competition and will hope to deliver a lump of coal in the form of four consecutive United losses for the first time since Christmas 2022.
Tues, Dec 24
ADE v BNE, 5.30pm
With Santa set to deliver a ninth-straight sellout on Christmas Eve, the fired up Adelaide Entertainment Centre crowd won’t be singing pleasant carols. Montrezl Harrell v Tyrell Harrison will be box office viewing as this looms as a mystical match up between the potent Bullets, led by explosive imports James Batemon and Keandre Cook, and the equally dynamic 36ers – who might get Aussie sharpshooter Dejan Vasiljevic back from a hamstring injury. Up to St Nick whose been naughty and nice in this one.
Wed, Dec 25
TAS v NZ, 6pm
New Zealand, in Tasmania, on Christmas Day. It’s not a question of how, but by how much the JackJumpers will win by. On December 12, the Breakers allowed Tasmania to reach 100 points in a game for the first time in 22 tries. There’s not a whole lot else you need to know. The two teams have met twice this season for JackJumpers’ wins of 19 and 24 points. Short of a 50-piece from Parker Jackson Cartwright, Tassie will feast on a Christmas spread with all the trimmings.
SYD v ILL, 8.30pm
By the time we’ve opened up all our presents, stuffed our face with roast chicken, turkey, ham and Christmas pudding, and cracked a nice shiraz after a few juicy IPAs, the Freeway Series blockbuster between Sydney and Illawarra might be a top-two clash. Don’t expect any gift cards to be exchanged between these two bitter enemies, with the No. 1 offence in the league going against the No. 1 defence. Illawarra won the last meeting between these two teams but Goorj’s merry men are ready to sleigh the Hawks with some festive season revenge.
ROUND 14
Thu, Dec 26
CNS v MEL, 7.30pm
Melbourne United will head into to the clash between the NBL’s haves and have-nots as strong favourites, but watch for Cairns guard Taran Armstrong to put on a Boxing Day show.
Armstrong is one of the NBL’s brightest youngest talents and a post-Christmas triple double would be the perfect present for the Taipans’ faithful.
Fri, Dec 27
BRIS v ILL, 7.30pm
The Illawarra region is pumping at the prospect of winning a championship in NBL25 and their high-flying Hawks are every chance of delivering.
Watch for Hawks big man Sam Froling to dominate in the paint as sharpshooters Tyler Harvey and Trey Kell feast on the Bullets to ruin any Christmas celebrations in the Sunshine State.
Sat, Dec 28
ADE v PER, 8pm
The NBL’s best will arrive in the City of Churches determined to play the role of Christmas Grinch with another explosion.
The last time Cotton took on the 36ers he dropped 49 points, including a remarkable half-court buzzer beater prior to the long break.
Adelaide has its own fearsome threat in former NBA star Montrezl Harrell, who will be out to keep the 36ers’ finals hopes alive.
Sun, Dec 29
TAS v BRIS, 2.30pm
The Christmas feast is done and dusted and the defending NBL champions will be out to farewell 2024 with another momentum-building win.
Expect JackJumpers big man Will Magnay to lead from the front in the physical stakes, leaving the Bullets with an empty clip.
Mon, Dec 30
SYD v ADE, 7.30pm
Watch for Brian Goorjian’s Sydney Kings to make a big statement at home against the talent-laden Adelaide 36ers.
The 36ers are as dangerous as any team in the league, especially when stars Montrezl Harrell and Kendric Davis fire.
Sydney will be up for the fight, though, with Xavier Cooks, Jaylen Adams and Cam Oliver to step up and get the job done on their home court.
Tues, Dec 31
ILL v SEM, 5.30pm
If you’re an Illawarra fan, your New Years’ resolution will be putting aside all other plans to watch an NBL championship in 2025.
Your Hawks will get the party started early with a revenge victory over South East Melbourne.
Expect beloved Hawks’ sharpshooter Tyler Harvey to drop multiple three-point bombs on the Phoenix.
CNS v NZ, 7.30pm
Cairns will be happy to see the back of 2024, but before the clock strikes midnight the Taipans will finish the year on a high with a win.
The home fans in North Queensland can expect to see a party led by guards Taran Armstrong and Rob Edwards, who will light up the Breakers before the countdown to 2025 ends.
Bullets’ rise continues as Prather leads charge over struggling 36ers
Another star showing from Casey Prather has led Brisbane into the top six, as the Bullets get the better of a strong Kendric Davis and the 36ers.
Whose league? Coach takes aim at NBL owner, Loe charged
JackJumpers coach Scott Roth is in hot water for comments about NBL boss Larry Kestelman after battling with referees in Melbourne, while Rob Lowe is also being looked at after being ejected.