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. Pre-season Perth Wildcats pre-season 2012 Cable Beach Invitational Adelaide 36ers pre-season 2012 Longgang International Men’s Basketball Challenge Adelaide 36ers win 2012 Longgang International Men’s Basketball Challenge. Melbourne Tigers pre-season Wollongong Hawks pre-season Cairns Taipans pre-season Sydney Kings pre-season New Zealand Breakers pre-season Townsville Crocodiles pre-season 2012 NBL pre-season tournament Finals Perth Wildcats are pre-season champions. Regular season Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Round 7 Round 8 Round 9 Round 10 Round 11 All-Star Game Round 12 Round 13 Round 14 Round 15 Round 16 Round 17 Round 18 Round 19 Round 20 Round 21 Round 22 Round 23 Round 24 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 New Zealand Breakers Perth Wildcats Wollongong Hawks Sydney Kings The NBL tie-breaker system as outlined in the NBL Rules and