For the second season in a row, the NBL minor premiers have been knocked out in the semi-finals as the Illawarra Hawks defeated the Adelaide 36ers on the road in Game 3 by eight points.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Adelaide 36ers 98
Illawarra Hawks 106
It all comes down to this. The winner goes to the grand final, the loser is eliminated as the Adelaide 36ers head back home to host Game 3 in their NBL semi-final series against the Illawarra Hawks. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:30pm (AEDT).
The 36ers might have had a brilliant second half of the season, but four straight losses leading into the playoffs left us unsure of what to expect.
They did turn it around during Game 1 on home court and as expected, the series has so far gone the way of the home team with the Hawks pinching Game 2 back in Wollongong.
It hasn’t been surprising to see the best two offensive teams in the competition putting on a show, with plenty of points scores and some stunning individual performances throughout the series, but in a series between two very evenly matched sides, the home court advantage has had the final say at the moment.
The 36ers were dominant during Game 1, with Jerome Randle leading the way as he has done all season. They picked up the victory by 15 points and were good enough at the defensive end to stop the Hawks every time they looked like getting a run.
What has been pleasing for the 36ers right throughout the series is the form of captain Mitch Creek, who led the second half effort in Game 1.
Back in Wollongong for Game 2, the Hawks came away with a six-point win, proving they will need a high-scoring game to win. Their defence simply isn’t good enough as they took a 100-94 victory.
The Hawks have proven time and time again they can score 100 points, but doing it on the road against Adelaide has proven a little more difficult.
Tim Coenraad was the man to keep the first game close for the most part, and like the 36ers they had no other options stand up at the offensive end of the court.
Game 2 was much more impressive for Illawarra in the sense that they had multiple players in double figures, passed the ball well and genuinely had a good team display of offence.
The winner of this game will go on to play the Perth Wildcats who beat the Cairns Taipans 2-0 in their series during the grand final series, which tips off on Monday.
Prediction
There hasn’t been much to split the sides during the series, but the 36ers have more attacking weapons and should advance to the big dance on home court.
36ers by 7.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the final game in this semi-final series from 7:30pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
Nudge
Guest
Adelaide were just way off their game tonight. The offence was very ordinary (until the last 7 mins) but the first half defence was insipid. Illawarra are coached brilliantly and have a bunch that have a fair dinkum crack. I have heard that Harris is not going to be available for the first 2 games, so if that is the case and with Ogilvy in doubt the wildcats start favourites
Scott Pryde
Expert
Unbelieveable result. Cats should roll the Hawks now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
A full match report will follow in a separate article shortly, as well as the full grand final fixtures. Thanks for joining me this evening for an incredible semi-final at the Titanium Security Arena as the Illawarra Hawks booked their place in the decider. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. I'll back be back throughout the grand final series, which should be getting underway on Monday at 9:30pm (AEDT) - as I said, full confirmation of that will filter through shortly. Bye for now.
Damo
Guest
Cheers Scott. What a turn up. Might be bias but I can't see Cats giving Hawks that kind if leverage from the arc. See you Sunday!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Roarers, thoughts on the match?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Scott Pryde
Expert
What an incredible match that was. It'll be a Perth vs Illawarra grand final series and the minor premiers are out. They dominated tonight and deserve to be there.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME! The Hawks are off to the big dance. A three from Sobey I think it was to close us out, but the Hawks have gotten through an incredible fourth quarter push to make the decider. Adelaide 36ers - 98 Illawarra Hawks - 106
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Norton makes both. 36ers - 95 Hawks - 106
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' The Hawks work it around and Randle decides to foul Norton, who will go to the line. None of it matters now though. 36ers - 95 Hawks - 104
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' The 36ers turn it over and the Hawks draw a foul up the floor. Fans starting to filter out of the building with 13 seconds to go and the Hawks are off to the grand final. 9 point game. 36ers - 95 Hawks - 104
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' The Hawks roll through Martin and a great rejection from Ferguson. Long rebound and the shot clock runs down with MArtin making a three. That'll do it! 36ers - 95 Hawks - 104
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' The 36ers need a bucket right here and they get it through Ferguson who makes a nice move baseline. 36ers - 95 Hawks - 101
Damo
Guest
What a qtr! That Clarke 3 should do it. ...right?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Timeout Adelaide. Can they come back?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' The Hawks now with it around the arc and it's Clarke slowing things down, then firing from deep and it FALLS! ROTNEI CLARKE! 8 point game, 58 seconds on the clock. 36ers - 93 Hawks - 101
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' The Hawks go up the floor through Norton who works around the arc. They run the clock and Coenraad misses. Kay grabs the board and the foul goes against Johnson. Massive rebound there. 36ers - 93 Hawks - 98
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Wonderful defensive set from the 36ers and Coenraad has to fire, but it misses. Johnson gets an offensive rebound after a Sobey miss from deep at the other end, but in the scramble for it after the put back misses, it will be a Hawks ball. 36ers - 93 Hawks - 98
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' Johnson adds the extra. 36ers - 93 Hawks - 98
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' The Hawks have a ball poked away now and then there is a steal on the inbound! Randle takes off up the floor, finds Johnson and he draws the foul getting the layup as well! Three point play and oh my! We have a game right here. 36ers - 92 Hawks - 98