Starting 5: The key talking points leading into Round 14

Round 14 is here and it's a continuation of the 12 days of Christmas, bringing us non-stop basketball this holiday season.

It all begins in Adelaide with the 36ers hosting the Cairns Taipans in an exciting Ignite Cup matchup, which tips off seven blockbuster festive fixtures.

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

The full schedule

Adelaide 36ers v Cairns Taipans - Wednesday, December 24, 5.30pm AEDT - Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Sydney Kings v Illawarra Hawks- Thursday, December 25, 8.30pm AEDT - Qudos Bank Arena
Watch: ESPN and Channel 10 | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Tasmania JackJumpers v New Zealand Breakers - Friday, December 26, 7.30pm AEDT - MyState Bank Arena
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Brisbane Bullets v Melbourne United - Saturday, December 27 , 8pm AEDT - Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Adelaide 36ers v Perth Wildcats - Sunday, December 28, 2.30pm AEDT - Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Watch: ESPN and Channel 10 | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Tasmania JackJumpers v South East Melbourne Phoenix - Monday, December 29, 7.30pm AEDT - MyState Bank Arena
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Sydney Kings v Brisbane Bullets - Tuesday, December 30, 7.30pm AEDT - Qudos Bank Arena
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Talking points

1 – A Christmas Classic

You can forget recent form when it comes to the rivalry between Sydney and Illawarra, because it’s much more than your average regular season game. These two teams don’t like each other and because of that, they play with a different edge in these contests. It’s a Christmas day special and as poor as the Hawks have been this season, a win over a red-hot Sydney on their home floor would almost feel as good as a championship to them.

2 – Here comes Tasmania

Don’t look now, but we have seen this Tasmania story before. The JackJumpers have battled through a form slump, which is nothing new for them since entering the competition a few years ago. However, what we saw against United was the epitome of Tasmania basketball and that could be the turning point of the season. The JackJumpers stifled Melbourne defensively and were the most aggressive they’d been on the offensive end in some time. That combination is powerful in this culture and the JackJumpers mean business now.

3– A game of emotion

What once looked like it could be a rough game to watch, all of a sudden has significant meaning to it. The Brisbane Bullets are fresh off a big win in front of their home fans and now welcome a United team that has fallen to 1-5 since the FIBA Break. On one side you have a Bullets squad that will be coming in feeling positive, whereas United are struggling to find any consistent answers on their form.

4 – Bryce vs Perth, take three

The first two instalments of the Perth versus Adelaide show didn’t disappoint and who knows what the third chapter has in store. The last time they met, it was Adelaide who produced one of the best comebacks of the last few seasons and stunned Perth at RAC Arena. We are yet to see the Bryce Cotton clinic that many expected he would produce against his former side, so maybe that’s what we can expect in this one.

5 – An unstoppable force meets an immovable object

South East Melbourne and Tasmania will lock horns in what could be a defensive slog. The Phoenix have proven to be one of the best and most consistent defensive teams all season long and the JackJumpers have regained that same mindset in recent weeks, which gives us all the ingredients of an instant classic here. There are superstars all over the floor and two well coached outfits ready to solidify their respective places on the ladder.