The NBL run home and we predict the final six, no stopping Illawarra Hawks, Melbourne United's stagnant offence, unpredictable Adelaide 36ers, decimated Tasmania JackJumpers/Brisbane Bullets, could be brutal Cairns Taipans finish, on fire Perth Wildcats/South East Melbourne Phoenix.

Cody Ellis is back for Hoops Heaven's Basketball Hustle and we start off with a follow up on the passing of Darryl Pearce with Mike Ellis passing on a tribute and his shock at the passing of his long-time rival.

We open up this week's show wrapping up all the happenings in the last week of the NBL including the hot Hawks, struggling United, Phoenix continuing their charge, Kouat Noi sparking the Sydney Kings, the Wildcats enjoying their home coming, not knowing what to get from the 36ers, injuries hitting the Bullets and JackJumpers, and the fun race to come in the run home.

We get an update on our awards with Bryce Cotton still leading Simon Mitchell's Sports Card World Player of the Year but Kendric Davis still in contention while Wani Swaka Lo Buluk still leading #TheDamo Best Defensive Player despite Dylan Windler's three votes.

This week's dissection begins at the Taipans who put in a fifth straight poor home performance against Adelaide with Adam Forde letting his players know about it afterwards. Cody's not sure if he will stay in Cairns beyond this season and sees Sam Waardenburg as being a hot target.

The Bullets are dealing with a brutal injury run and trying to win without their best two players, Casey Prather and Tyrell Harrison, was a bridge too far in Illawarra and it might have been enough to put them out of genuine top six contention.

The 36ers lost in Perth and won big in Cairns after another dramatic week but they do appear to be a playing group enjoying playing together and who are dangerous even if their defence still needs some work.

The JackJumpers have been struck with three season-ending injuries they could least afford and while it's hard to still see them holding onto sixth spot, you never want to write them off.

South East Melbourne are fun to watch, they are playing well at both ends of the floor and covering well without Derrick Walton Jr with captain Nathan Sobey playing some of the best team basketball of his career.

Melbourne is struggling offensively and they need to find another genuine offensive weapon to take the pressure off Chris Goulding, and Ian Clark does need to be that person but he needs help to get some better shots.

With three rounds to go, we take a look at the run home for all the teams left in contention to make the top six with Cody settling on Illawarra, Perth, South East Melbourne, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

We then preview a monster Wednesday night double-header with the Phoenix hosting the Kings, and then the Wildcats at home to United before the TABtouch Round 18 Preview highlighted by Sydney playing Adelaide on Friday in a must-watch affair.

All made possible thanks to the support of Hoops Heaven (www.hoopsheaven.com.au) and TABtouch (www.tabtouch.com.au).