Two of the NBL’s hottest teams clash tonight, as the Illawarra Hawks travel south to take on Melbourne United for the season’s first game at the State Netball and Hockey Centre. Join The Roar from 7:25pm for live scores and updates.
Melbourne will look to avenge a Round 9 lost to Illawarra, where the Hawks smashed them to the tune of 15 points.
After a mini-form slump, United have started to regain the style of play that allowed them to fly out to a 9-0 start. They have now won two in a row, including a big home win over league leaders the Perth Wildcats.
The Hawks have overcome a slow start to the season to win four of their last five games and storm up to third on the NBL ladder, just two games behind United, with two games in hand.
The Hawks have the NBL’s best percentage, at 107.79 per cent, and theie overload of talent on the offensive end is beginning to show.
Illawarra, who posses the likes of AJ Ogilvy, Kevin Lisch and Kirk Penny on their roster, lead the league in offensive efficiency, as they score 118.7 points per 100 possessions, which is a higher rating then the defending NBA champions, the Golden State Warriors. Coach Rob Beveridge has the Hawks clicking on the offensive end of the ball, their ball and player movement has been excellent all season, and now that their shots are falling, their offensive attack is as dangerous as ever.
Despite the quality of the Hawks’ attack, Melbourne haven’t been far off – they rank second in the NBL in offensive rating, scoring 112.9 points per 100 possessions, which indicates tonight’s meeting will be a shootout.
United are mainly a jump-shooting team and are almost unstoppable when the likes of Chris Goulding, Daniel Kickert and Stephen Holt are hitting from all over the court. Goulding is the ultimate barometer of Melbourne’s success, as in wins he averages 19.54 points per game, while shooting 46.2 per cent from the field and 37.2 per cent from three-point range. In losses though, his shooting numbers dip, as he averaged 16 points per game on just 36.8 per cent from the field and 30 per cent from three-point land.
Tonight’s game will be the first for the season at United’s original home of ‘The Cage’ and after selling out multiple games at the 10,000-plus seat Hisense Arena, there should be a boisterous atmosphere at the 3500-seat venue.
“It’s a good venue and it’s going to be packed out,” United forward Kickert told Nick Smart of The Herald Sun. “One really good thing about it is, the atmosphere is probably one of the loudest, because of the smaller venue. Everyone feels like they are right on top of you, so it is a really good atmosphere and we’ll use that to our advantage to hopefully get a win.”
Kickert also referred to the Hawks as “the most in-form team at the moment”, which can be credited to the play of Ogilvy, as he is the NBL’s leader in player efficiency rating, with a PER of 30.9. With averages of 18.61 points and 8.56 rebounds per game, Ogilvy has been a star all season and will be key to the Hawks stealing a road win.
In terms of PER, some may be surprised that United forward Hakim Warrick is second in the league, with a rating of 26.4. Warrick brings energy, hustle, effort and a non-stop motor off United’s bench. When he is a making a positive impact on the court, it means good things for Melbourne.
Prediction
In what is set to be an absolute classic, United’s home advantage will just be enough for them to get redemption after that Round 9 embarrassment.
United by 4 points.
Luke Sicari
Roar Guru
Well that wraps up our coverage from Melbourne. What a game and be sure to check back with The Roar daily for all your NBL and sporting news and opinion!
Luke Sicari
Roar Guru
Final game stats: FG%: United 55%, Hawks 51% 3P FG%: United 37%, Hawks 47% FT%: United 88%, Hawks 80% Rebounds: United 24, Hawks 32 Turnovers: United 13, Hawks 11 Assists: United 14, Hawks 15 Steals: United 3, Hawks 6
Luke Sicari
Roar Guru
Melbourne stepped it up on the defensive end, mainly in the third quarter and that helped them grab the victory
Luke Sicari
Roar Guru
The combo of Lisch and Penny were deadly for the Hawks. Lisch finished with 21 points, Penny with 20
Luke Sicari
Roar Guru
Goulding, the man who hit the game winning free throws, finishes with 27 points, a game-high. Warrick provided some huge scoring off the bench and finishes with 20 points
Luke Sicari
Roar Guru
Woah, everyone take some breathes and regain themselves. What a game
Luke Sicari
Roar Guru
FINAL: Melbourne United- 97 Illawarra Hawks- 96
Luke Sicari
Roar Guru
ELLIS MISSES A DRIVING ATTEMPT AT THE BUZZER AND UNITED REMAIN TOP OF THE NBL LADDER
Luke Sicari
Roar Guru
Both teams take the court for the final possesison, here we go
Luke Sicari
Roar Guru
United CAN NOT foul here, switch everything. They're over the foul limit
Luke Sicari
Roar Guru
Everyone knew this was going to be a classic and it has lived up to that and more
Luke Sicari
Roar Guru
Okay Roarers, here is the scenario 97-96 United lead with 4.6 seconds left Illawarra have possession and call a timeout Surely Lisch gets a chance to win the game here?
Luke Sicari
Roar Guru
Goulding HITS the second
Luke Sicari
Roar Guru
Goulding MISSES the first
Luke Sicari
Roar Guru
OMG! Holt misses a 3, Hawks turn it over and now Goulding draws the foul and will head to the line with 4.6 seconds left!!!
Luke Sicari
Roar Guru
Lisch misses, United ball, tied game
Luke Sicari
Roar Guru
Q4 56.3 secs, 96-96 Goulding steps to the line and hits both Tie game
Luke Sicari
Roar Guru
Q4 56.3 secs, 96-94 Hawks Goulding gets fouled by Ogilvy, as he fouls out of the game!
Luke Sicari
Roar Guru
Illawarra have put on a full-court press in the closing moments, can United break it and create an open shot?
Luke Sicari
Roar Guru
Q4 1:16, 96-94 Hawks Blanchfield fouls Martin and he hits both free throws. Hawks back in the lead, as United take a timeout