Starting 5: The key talking points leading into Round 13

Round 13 is here and it's the 12 days of Christmas, which brings us non-stop basketball this holiday season.

It all begins with two of the hottest teams in the league going at it in Sydney and Adelaide, and then it is a big week for teams needing to show their very best, in Perth and Melbourne.

Pete Hooley takes a look at some of those key moments to watch out for.

The full schedule

Sydney Kings v Adelaide 36ers - Wednesday, December 17, 7.30pm AEDT - AIS Arena
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Melbourne United v Illawarra Hawks - Thursday, December 18, 7.30pm AEDT - John Cain Arena
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Perth Wildcats v South East Melbourne Phoenix - Thursday, December 18, 9.30pm AEDT - RAC Arena
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Cairns Taipans v New Zealand Breakers - Friday, December 19, 7.30pm AEDT - Cairns Convention Centre
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Illawarra Hawks v Adelaide 36ers - Saturday, December 20, 5.30pm AEDT - WIN Entertainment Centre
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

South East Melbourne Phoenix v Brisbane Bullets - Saturday, December 20, 8pm AEDT - John Cain Arena
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Tasmania JackJumpers v Perth Wildcats - Sunday, December 21, 2.30pm AEDT - MyState Bank Arena
Watch: ESPN and Channel 10 | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Sydney Kings v Cairns Taipans - Sunday, December 21, 4.30pm AEDT - Qudos Bank Arena
Watch: ESPN and Channel 10 | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Brisbane Bullets v New Zealand Breakers - Monday, December 22, 7.30pm AEDT - Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Melbourne United v Tasmania JackJumpers - Tuesday, December 23, 8pm AEDT - John Cain Arena
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Talking points

1 – Different motivations for Ignite Cup

Wednesday night’s game between Sydney and Adelaide is momentous for many reasons, but the Ignite Cup aspect of it only matters for the 36ers. The Kings are eliminated from Ignite Cup contention, which adds some more motivation to Adelaide who are still in the hunt to play for the $400,000. The game itself is spoiled with incredible individual matchups across the board, highlighted by Kendric Davis and Bryce Cotton locking horns. The two leading MVP contenders this season and two players who have enormous respect for one another.

2 – United’s response

Melbourne United are starring down the barrel of losing five straight games for the first time since NBL23, after two tough losses in Round 12. After their record-tying start to the season, Dean Vickerman’s team faces a big week ahead as they try to get back on track. The positive out of the losses to Adelaide and Sydney is that they had a chance to win both of them, but failed to execute in the clutch.

3- Perth’s true identity to be revealed

The Wildcats did what they had to do in Brisbane and came away with a big win to help solidify their place in the top portion of the ladder, but now the true tests begin. Perth will welcome the defensive juggernaut that is the South East Melbourne Phoenix to town on Thursday night, before they head on the road for five straight games. The very best of this team is more than capable of being a legitimate contender, yet the flip side of that has been far less convincing.

4 – Open air spectaculars

They are the highlight of the season for many fans and they’re back this holiday season to provide more incredible moments. Both South East Melbourne and Melbourne United will host their open games in this round, as we get to witness basketball under the stars once more. Combe that with the holiday season and the fact that both of these teams are in the championship hunt and we could be in store for a real treat.

5- New Zealand’s ideal round

History has told us time and time again that there is no such thing as an easy game in the NBL, however the New Zealand Breakers have the closest thing for this next round. After a tough loss to the Phoenix, the Breakers will travel to Queensland to play both Cairns and then Brisbane before Christmas. Those two opponents are bottom of the standings and are two teams that the Breakers have had success playing against.