Illawarra Hawks vs Cairns Taipans prediction
NBL · 3 January 2026
Game preview
Illawarra Hawks hosted Cairns Taipans in the NBL on Saturday, 3 January 2026. Final score: Illawarra Hawks 96–78 Cairns Taipans. Illawarra Hawks were 7-13 this season and Cairns Taipans 5-16. Over their last five games Illawarra Hawks went 2-3, averaging 85.8 points for and 92.8 against. Cairns Taipans had won one of their last five (L-L-L-W-L, newest first), scoring 82.6 and allowing 99.8 points a game. In their last five meetings Illawarra Hawks won two and Cairns Taipans three; the most recent ended Illawarra Hawks 76–93 Cairns Taipans. Illawarra Hawks had 3 days of rest and Cairns Taipans 2. See SportLikely's prediction for this game.
Season: Illawarra Hawks 7-13 · Cairns Taipans 5-16
Recent form
Illawarra Hawks: last 5
W L L L W
- Illawarra Hawks 92–90 Tasmania JackJumpers · 31 Dec
- Sydney 108–84 Illawarra Hawks · 25 Dec
- Illawarra Hawks 78–84 Adelaide · 20 Dec
- Melbourne United 97–75 Illawarra Hawks · 18 Dec
- Illawarra Hawks 100–85 Brisbane Bullets · 11 Dec
Cairns Taipans: last 5
L L L W L
- Cairns Taipans 96–111 South East Melbourne · 31 Dec
- Adelaide 93–73 Cairns Taipans · 24 Dec
- Sydney 119–77 Cairns Taipans · 21 Dec
- Cairns Taipans 99–95 New Zealand Breakers · 19 Dec
- Cairns Taipans 68–81 Tasmania JackJumpers · 13 Dec