2012–13 NBL season

The 2012–13 NBL season was the 35th season of competition since its establishment in 1979. A total of eight teams contested the league. The regular season was played between 5 October 2012 and 24 March 2013, followed by a post-season which involved the top four in April 2013. The schedule was announced on 4 June 2012. The New Zealand Breakers successfully defended their 2011–12 title for a third consecutive championship.

Broadcast rights were held by free-to-air network Channel Ten and its digital sports sister station One, in the third year of a five-year deal, through to the 2014–15 season. In New Zealand, Sky Sport were the official league broadcaster, with a three-year exclusive deal being signed.

Sponsorship included iiNet entering its third season as league naming rights sponsor and Spalding providing equipment including the official game ball.

The NBL All-Star Game was reintroduced to the fixture list after a four-year absence and was played on 22 December 2012 at the Adelaide Arena.

The league reverted to an eight-team competition when Gold Coast Blaze withdrew on 18 July 2012. A new schedule was released on 25 July 2012.

2012 Longgang International Men’s Basketball Challenge
Adelaide 36ers win 2012 Longgang International Men’s Basketball Challenge.

Finals
Perth Wildcats are pre-season champions.

Ladder
The NBL tie-breaker system as outlined in the NBL Rules and Regulations states that in the case of an identical win–loss record, the results in games played between the teams will determine order of seeding.

''1Head-to-Head between Sydney Kings and Melbourne Tigers (2-2). Sydney Kings won For and Against (+2). ''

Finals
The 2012–13 National Basketball League Finals will be played in March and April 2013, consisting of two best-of-three semi-final and final series, where the higher seed hosts the first and third games.

Playoff Seedings

 * 1) New Zealand Breakers
 * 2) Perth Wildcats
 * 3) Wollongong Hawks
 * 4) Sydney Kings

The NBL tie-breaker system as outlined in the NBL Rules and Regulations states that in the case of an identical win–loss record, the results in games played between the teams will determine order of seeding.

Under this system, Melbourne did not qualify for the playoffs by equalling Sydney's win–loss record, as the latter held advantage in the tiebreaker (2-2, +2 points).

Statistics leaders
Note: regular season only (minimum 14 games)

Attendances
Note: regular season only

Season
The end-of-season awards ceremony was held in the Palladium Room at Crown Casino, Melbourne on Sunday, 24 March 2013.


 * Most Valuable Player (Andrew Gaze Trophy): Cedric Jackson, New Zealand Breakers
 * Rookie of the Year: Cameron Gliddon, Cairns Taipans
 * Best Defensive Player: Damian Martin, Perth Wildcats
 * Best Sixth Man: Adris Deleon, Wollongong Hawks
 * Most Improved Player: Ben Madgen, Sydney Kings
 * Coach of the Year (Lindsay Gaze Trophy): Andrej Lemanis, New Zealand Breakers
 * Referee of the Year: Michael Aylen
 * All-NBL First Team:
 * Cedric Jackson - New Zealand Breakers
 * Kevin Lisch - Perth Wildcats
 * Ben Madgen - Sydney Kings
 * Seth Scott - Melbourne Tigers
 * Matthew Knight - Perth Wildcats
 * All-NBL Second Team:
 * Gary Ervin - Townsville Crocodiles
 * Jonny Flynn - Melbourne Tigers
 * Damian Martin - Perth Wildcats
 * Mika Vukona - New Zealand Breakers
 * Daniel Johnson - Adelaide 36ers
 * All-NBL Third Team:
 * Jamar Wilson - Cairns Taipans
 * Adam Gibson - Adelaide 36ers
 * Thomas Abercrombie - New Zealand Breakers
 * Shawn Redhage - Perth Wildcats
 * Ian Crosswhite - Sydney Kings

Finals

 * Grand Final Series MVP (Larry Sengstock Medal): Cedric Jackson, New Zealand Breakers