How Round 18 shook up the NBL24 run home

While the NBL24 Finals picture has become slightly clearer in the aftermath of Round 18, the status of exactly which teams occupy a spot in the top six come season's end still remains incredibly murky.

Melbourne United has likely sewn up top position on the ladder courtesy of their win over South East Melbourne and Perth’s defeat to New Zealand.

Given Melbourne’s vastly superior percentage, anything but three wins for the Wildcats and three losses for United would likely not be enough for Perth to register its first top-placed finish since NBL19.

However, the Wildcats need just one more win to lock in second spot and a path straight through to the Playoffs.

Losses from the Phoenix, 36ers and Taipans went some way to separating the logjam in the middle of the ladder, however every team in the competition is still a mathematical chance of making the post-season.

Unfortunately for South East Melbourne though, the writing seems to be on the wall. There are three teams currently sitting on 12 wins for the season to occupy ladder positions fourth, fifth and sixth, while the Phoenix languish in tenth with 10 victories for the campaign.

Once the team in sixth reaches 13 wins, it’s game over for the Heartland side.

The Taipans and 36ers both suffered losses that could prove utterly detrimental to their seasons in Round 18, and while they’re still in with a solid opportunity of reaching the Finals, their destinies are out of their hands.

Both sides will be searching for victories to keep their Finals hopes alive, but once sixth place reaches 14 wins for the season, the curtains will close on both their campaigns.

Round 19 will commence with a Friday night double-header. First the Breakers and Hawks will battle at 5:30pm AEDT, before Brisbane and Adelaide lock horns at 7:30pm AEDT.