A dominant second half from the Perth Wildcats has given them an important road win in the NBL grand final series to move ahead 2-0 against the Illawarra Hawks, giving them a chance to wrap it up in straight sets at home on Sunday.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Illawarra Hawks 77
Perth Wildcats 89
It might as well be a must-win game for the Illawarra Hawks when they host the all-conquering Perth Wildcats in Game 2 of the NBL grand final series. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the match from 7:30pm (AEDT).
After the closest season in history, where the Wildcats went down to the last seconds of the season to qualify for their 31st finals series in a row, they were the first team through to the grand finals with a thumping straight sets win over the Cairns Taipans in the semis.
The Hawks had to do things the hard way though, losing the first game against minor premiers the Adelaide 36ers before bouncing back to win both Game 2 and 3.
A third versus fourth grand final series just about sums up the season perfectly, and the Wildcats were dominant in the first game to hole home court advantage.
While the series against the Taipans saw the Wildcats return to form, their drubbing of the Hawks in Game 1 was probably their best basketball for a couple of months.
They locked it down on defence, built a lead early in the game and never looked back before running away down the stretch. After struggling through the back end of the season, Casey Prather and Matty Knight are back to their best, with Bryce Cotton still firing away from behind the arc.
The Hawks were powerless to stop them in Game 1, but more worryingly was that Rotnei Clarke looked out of sorts both shooting and trying to run the offence. Simply put, if he doesn’t fire the Wildcats juggernaut rolls over them.
Illawarra do need more than just Clarke though – Mitch Norton has been pivotal to the club becoming the second best offence in the league this year, while AJ Ogilvy is key in the paint, but has had an up and down season.
Rob Beveridge also has his work cut out at the defensive end, with the zone defence they used in Game 1 doing little to slow down the Prather and Cotton duo. If they can’t adjust, this game will be over before it begins.
Prediction
Despite the obvious problems the Hawks have in this series, at home, not on the toughest road trip in the league, they should do what they have done earlier in the season and pick up the win against Perth to ensure the series will at least go to four games.
Hawks by 3.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of Game 2 in the NBL grand final series from 7:30pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to drop a comment below.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yeah can't see them pulling a Golden State from here. Should get it done on Sunday really.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Full match report and stats will follow in a separate article shortly - there will be a link here when it's live. Thanks for joining me this evening on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2017 NBL grand final series as the Perth Wildcats went up 2-0 against the Illawarra Hawks. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. Perth will return home on Sunday at 3pm (AEDT) with the chance to wrap up the series in straight sets. Sam Walker will be live for that one so be sure to check it out. Bye for now.
Haydos
Guest
Wooo! Perth roll on as the definiton of NBL heavyweights 31 years and counting. They have it in the bag now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the game Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Damian Martin is man of the match. Hard to disagree with that.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, it's an uphill battle for the Hawks now. They have to win three straight including two on the road. Rob Beveridge still reckons they can get it done, telling his team I believe in you. You can get this done.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME That'll do it. Bryce Cotton finishes with a party trick three on the shot clock from halfcourt, but we have the exact same score from Game 1 because of it. Perth can claim their eighth championship on Sunday at home. Illawarra Hawks - 77 Perth Wildcats - 89
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Brandt misses both, but it doesn't matter. Fans streaming out of the building. Hawks - 77 Wildcats - 86
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' White misses a transition three and then there is a quick foul. Brandt to the line and we have just 31 seconds left. Hawks - 77 Wildcats - 86
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Cotton misses, but the Hawks have turned it over trying to rush back up the floor. A defensive breakdown now allows Brandt to slam it home and surely that'll be that. Hawks - 77 Wildcats - 86
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Ogilvy makes one. Hawks - 77 Wildcats - 84
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Good play from Forman now as he fakes for a shot, passes in to Ogilvy and is fouled on the shot. Hawks - 76 Wildcats - 84
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Prather makes one. Hawks - 76 Wildcats - 84
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Great defensive play from the Hawks, but White has committed the foul scrambling to a ball, getting to it after Prather. Into the bonus so to the free throw line. Hawks - 76 Wildcats - 83
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Ogilvy with a miss from mid range, but they get the rebound and then it's Clarke making a massive three! That's an absolute bomb! Hawks - 76 Wildcats - 83
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Wagstaff finds himself at the strike now and makes both. 10 point game. Hawks - 73 Wildcats - 83
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Ogilvy makes one. Hawks - 73 Wildcats - 81
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Ogilvy with a shot over Brandt now and he draws the foul. Will go to the line Hawks - 72 Wildcats - 81
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' Timeout called. Hawks - 72 Wildcats - 81
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' Oscar Forman fires a bomb straight back at them from the wing and that falls, before Cotton finds some space and makes a floater. The Hawks down plenty and running out of time. Hawks - 72 Wildcats - 81