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HOW massive is this penultimate round of the NBL regular season? The finals fates of Adelaide and Cairns, both on 15 losses, hang on away wins in Brisbane and Perth respectively. And this also could signal Sydney's official despatch from its historical second threepeat bid - and cut short coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah's two-year contract.

If the Kings miss out, and they are on 12-14 and face strident and striding "little brother" Illawarra, and with previous Sydney threepeat coach Brian Goorjian waiting in the wings, Abdelfattah's disastrous rotations and manic sideline presence is unlikely to be tolerated into a second year.

So yes, what are always desperate derby days against Illawarra now turns into a crisis contest for the Kings. And the Hawks won't be having it easy, either.

At 12-12, they start the round in New Zealand, which is 11-13. If the Breakers win, a task made considerably more challenging without Anthony Lamb (Achilles) - when was Justinian Jessup due back? - both clubs would be on 12-13 win-loss records.

It has substantial consequences, especially with the Breakers backing up against Melbourne and the Hawks in Sydney.

Meanwhile, desperately trying to keep their seasons alive, Adelaide is away to Brisbane and Cairns at Perth, both planning upsets which do seem unlikely.

The Taipans have steadily been self-destructing, Bul Kuol consistently in foul trouble - which won't change when he starts manhandling Bryce Cotton - Tahjere McCall and Pat Miller now playing among themselves.

Having lost at home last round, the Wildcats will be fired up and with the Taipans at 11-15, this loss would end their play-in hopes.

Similarly Adelaide is on 11-15 as it faces Brisbane on 12-14. A 36ers win puts both clubs on 12-15 and still in the hunt, albeit on life support. But a Bullets home win not only saves their season but ends the Sixers'. For the oldest live rivalry in the NBL, it would make for a fitting finale.

How New Zealand fares against Illawarra would colour its game in Melbourne. United is going through the motions, waiting for the post-season. 

But for the Breakers, this could be it. If they lost to the Hawks, at 11-14 a loss here would kill it. If they beat illawarra to be 12-13, even a loss here would still leave the door ajar.

It is a big round for New Zealand with so much at stake. Those other islanders, Tasmania, can wrap up third place by beating the plucky Phoenix  and on current form, that should be a given.   

ROUND 19 TIPS
A huge home game for NZ, now down Anthony Lamb, it must ground Hawks.
A Bullets loss here still keeps them and Adelaide alive. Tough one. Brisbane.
Phoenix have been phairly phenomenal but Tassie is taking no prisoners now.
Taipans are limping to the finish line and this must-win for Perth will be just that. 
Melbourne is under the radar but for NZ this is make-or-breakers. Upset time?
End of the road for Sydney to fail here against revitalised Hawks. Baby bro barks.

NBL RANKINGS – WEEK 18
This          Last
Week       Week   Club
  1               5       Tasmania (14-12) Back in efficient form and should tidy up SEM.
  2               4       Melbourne (18-7) In a bit of a holding pattern waiting for playoffs.
  3               3       Illawarra (12-12) Out of the red at last and can seal spot this week.
  4               1       Perth (16-9) Proving to be very vulnerable if Cotton is neutralised.
  5               7       New Zealand (11-13) Like the Monkees, "Here we come..." Look out.
  6               6       Brisbane (12-14) Back in the danger zone but 36ers are the way out.
  7               2       Adelaide (11-15) JJs loss really hurt, now there's no margin for error.
  8               9      Sydney (12-14) Stumbling along, waiting for "mercy" rule to end this.
  9               8      South East (10-16) Where was all this pluck when they needed it? Sad.
10              10     Cairns (11-15) Clinging to a miracle finish but just not firing as a unit.