The Illawarra Hawks, who currently sit third on the NBL ladder, are out to add to their seven straight home wins when they face Melbourne United. Join The Roar for all the action from 7:30pm (AEDT).
Melbourne, coming off a thrilling overtime win over the Wildcats, are looking to solidify top spot at the Sandpit, where they are yet to win this season.
After a career-best performance against the league leaders, United will again be looking to talented guard Steven Holt to produce.
United are one game clear of the chasing pack, and have three games remaining this regular season. With a superior head-to-head record over second place, a win here will all but see them clinch top spot leading into the playoff series.
For the Hawks, Kirk Penney still hasn’t surfaced from a hamstring injury, which puts huge pressure on Keven Lisch. They are desperate for the talented scorer to return, having missed his 20-PPG production in recent fixtures.
If Illawarra are to cause the upset, they need someone to take some of the load off Lisch’s shoulders. AJ Ogilvy is the man most likely – he loves the big stage and will be keen to post massive numbers to help his team chase a home-ground advantage in the postseason.
The two hottest offensive teams this season will ensure a high-scoring, entertaining game, and I’m tipping a similar result to the last fixture between these sides, on January 7, where Melbourne fought hard for a 1-point victory.
Prediction
United to edge the Hawks by single digits. If Penney is included in the side, the gap will be smaller, but Melbourne will be too strong.
Melbourne by 6.
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
POST MATCH REPORT Melbourne are now in the box seat to secure the Minor Premiership with a scrappy win over Illawarra tonight. Both teams struggled to find the offensive productivity we've come to know but Melbourne proved too strong. They had consistent contributors all over tonight, which was the major difference. The Hawks, led by Kevin Lisch yet again, shot a woeful 7/32 from 3 point territory, which basically sums up why they only scored 73 points. Lisch had 21 points, with their next best Cody Ellis scoring 17 off the bench. Melbourne, led by their star guard pairing, were just too much to handle. Stephen Holt had 23, shooting 4/11 from deep to go with his 5/8 from the foul line. He demanded the ball all night and was in control for much of the 4th quarter. That puts a stop to the Hawks winning run at home. The streak stops at 7. Melbourne looked solid tonight, even though the game was rather scrappy. They'll be hard to beat with home court advantage in this final series. Thank you for being with me tonight, enjoy the rest of your evening and I'll see you next time!
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
Totally agree. A solid team win tonight, plenty of production off the bench too
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Hawks - 73 United - 80 Holt 23 points, man of the match in Wollongong tonight
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
Q4 4 seconds Hawks - 73 United - 80 - Weeks hits a late 3, but it's all too little too late
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
Q4 14 seconds Hawks - 70 United - 80 - Both free throws go in, Illawarra march down court and you guessed it, miss another 3! That's 6/30 now - Warrick fouled on the rebound, which sends him to the line. 1/2
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, this puts Melbourne in a dominant position with a two game advantage over the Wildcats. Granted, the Wildcats have a game up their sleeve, and an easy run home but United have the series over the Wildcats. Kind of difficult to see them not being minor premiers now.
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
Q4 26 seconds Hawks - 70 United - 77 - The Hawks just can't get their shooting going, Goulding advances down court and is fouled, he'll have 2 shots to add to this lead
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
Q4 45 seconds Hawks - 70 United - 77 - Lisch drives quickly and comes up trumps, laying up to close the gap to 7. A quick turnover, is there life in them yet?
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
Q4 50 seconds Hawks - 68 United - 77 - Hawks miss another 3 pointer, United advance the ball and a foul from Forman puts Blanchfield to the line. He hits 2/2
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
Q4 1' Hawks - 68 United - 75 - Holt is fouled by Ellis, the fans don't like it but Holt is sent to the line regardless - He steadies, hitting both free throws TIMOUT with 1:09 remaining
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
Q4 1' Hawks - 68 United - 73 - Martin rolls right and flips one in, 2 points to the Hawks, 90 seconds left
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
Q4 1' Hawks - 66 United - 73 - Another missed 3! But an offensive rebound back to Martin, who drives and is fouled
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
Q4 2' Hawks - 66 United - 73 - Another missed 3, that's 6/26 from 3 point land. Just not good enough - Holt drives and is rejected by Ogilvy. United ball with 2 minutes left
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
Q4 2' Hawks - 66 United - 73 - turnover, Hawks ball
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
Q4 3' Hawks - 66 United - 73 - Solid D from AJ Ogilvy but the ball is deflected out, United ball. - An air ball from Goulding leads to an opportunistic layup to United as the Hawks are caught ball watching. Blanchfield with the basket
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
Q4 3' Hawks - 66 United - 71 - Holt demands the ball, controlling the tempo late here - Martin drives with no one around for an easy 2
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
Q4 4' Hawks - 64 United - 71 - Illawarra rush their next offensive play, Lisch misses a deep deep 3 TIMEOUT
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
Q4 4' Hawks - 64 United - 71 - An inbounds steal leads to a short jumper from Lisch, he's looking to take over for the Hawks
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
Q4 5' Hawks - 62 United - 71 - Reach in foul from Ogilvy on Goulding, Melbourne starting to flex their muscle here in the 4th. They're looking the better side here
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
Q4 5' Hawks - 62 United - 71 - Zone defence here from the Hawks, but don't leave Stephen Holt open! He hits another 3! That's 21 for Holt, 10 alone in the opening 5 minutes of the 4th