The Perth Wildcats have won their eighth NBL title and second in a row, downing the Illawarra Hawks by nine points on Sunday afternoon.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Perth Wildcats 95
Illawarra Hawks 86
It’s do-or-die for the Illawarra Hawks as they travel to face the Perth Wildcats in Game 3 of the NBL finals series. Join The Roar for all the action from 3pm (AEDT).
Having won both games 89-77, Perth lead the series 2-0, have all the momentum and are at home, so the possibility of going back-to-back in front of that home crowd will add to their advantage.
However, the Wildcats may have injury problems, with Matt Knight leaving Game 2 early after suffering a head knock in the third quarter. He clearly had symptoms of concussion, which leaves his status for this game in doubt.
Illawarra saw the return of Marvelle Harris in Game 2, however he was clearly underdone, after arriving back in Illawarra from the USA Wednesday morning.
For the Hawks to get back into the series they need Rotnei Clarke to get some more support from big men Nick Kay and AJ Ogilvy, especially if Matt Knight is out.
The break may help the Hawks regroup and analyse what they did wrong in the first two games, however it may also assist Knight get over his injury concerns
Prediction
The Wildcats go into this game looking to close out the series and start celebrating, while the Hawks need to survive another day and force a fourth match, to be played in Illawarra. The Hawks overcame this situation against Adelaide in the semi-finals, however this Wildcats team at home is a completely different beast to the 36ers.
Wildcats to clinch the series 3-0 with a four-point win.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Thank you to all of The Roar live game bloggers who covered the games this season. Thank you to the fans who checked in for the score updates and joined us for a few quick conversations throughout the season. Bring on 2017/2018 season. Go Wildcats for Back to Back to Back.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Championship number 8 for the Cats, and back to back titles for them. Perth jumped out to a quick 12-0 run in the first quarter and they never looked back. The Hawks were left stunned by the start from the Cats and were playing catch up all day long. Bryce Cotton was an absolute star in game 3 with 45 points including 7 3's. Rotnei Clarke was impressive for the Hawks scoring 30 but it was not enough for his team. The Cats kept pushing hard but the Hawks were trying their hardest to spoil the game for them by cutting the lead a number of times. Unfortunately for Illawarra though they were never able to get close enough to take the lead during the game. A 17 point lead got to as low as three but that was as close as it would get. Illawarra can fly back home with their heads high for their performance this season but the sting of not getting a win in the series will hurt them in the offseason. For the Wildcats it is party time in Perth after winning the title at home and going back to back they will celebrate it for a while. Shawn Redhage bows out for the Wildcats after playing in over 350 NBL games. Bryce Cotton was named Player of the Finals series. With this victory we bid farewell to one of the greatest NBL seasons we have seen in the history of the competition. Congratulations again Perth. Stats. Leading scorers Perth 45 B. Cotton 17 C. Prather 10 J. Wagstaff Illawarra 30 R. Clarke 11 A. Ogilvy 8 R. Martin Rebounds Perth 7 J. McKay 7 A. Brandt 5 D. Martin Illawarra 7 A. Ogilvy 5 N. Kay 4 M. Harris Assists Assists 4 A. Brandt 4 C. Prather 3 B. Cotton Illawarra 3 M. Norton 3 R. Clarke 3 N. Kay PER-------------|----------- Illawarra 29/62 (46%) FG 28/65 (43%) 17/33 (51%) 2P 17/36 (47%) 12/29 (41%) 3P 11/29 (37%) 25/34 (73%) FT 19/21 (90%) 35 REB 40 19 AS 19 8 ST 4 2 BS 3 11 TO 13
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Your 2016/2017 NBL Champions are the Perth Wildcats. Perth Wildcats defeat the Illawarra Hawks 95-86.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Holyfield gets a 2 which will likely be the final score of the game.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Cotton hit his 7th 3 and he now has 45 (!) points for the game. Martin hits a 3 and it is party time in Perth, Clarke gets 3 of his own. 11 point lead to the Wildcats. Perth 95 Illawarra 84. 20 seconds left.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Wagstaff fouls Rotnei Clarke and he is now fouled out. Clarke gets both free throws. 8 point game 1:23 remains. 89 plays 81 Perth favour.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Prather at the line for 2 free throws. Makes 1 and it is out to a double digit lead late in the 4th, Perth 89 Illawarra 79
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Cotton has 41 for the game can he get 50? 2:32 left on the clock it is possible. He makes 1 free throw and now has 42 for the game. Perth 88 Illawarra 79. 2:27 remains.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Cotton takes a shot with the clock expiring, he misses but is fouled. Timeout on the court.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Rhys Martin slips over but the ball stays with the Hawks, Martin gets the ball from the inbound and nails a 3. Perth 87 Illawarra 76. 2:32 remains.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Prather with a big 3 for the Wildcats, Timeout Illawarra. Wildcats 87 Hawks 76 3:15 remains.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Cotton is at the line to shoot 2 and he makes them both. Cotton now has 41 points. Wildcats 84 Hawks 76 3:36 left.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Ogilvy gets his first points for the quarter. Wagstaff answers back quickly with a 3. Brandt gets a rebound and then gives it to Cotton who runs the court for layup and foul. he made the free throw. this game has kicked into a new gear after the time out. Perth 82 Illawarra 73.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
5:21 left in the game. Perth by 5 can the Hawks over run them in this quarter.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Timeout called. Perth Wildcats 76 Illawarra Hawks 71.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Cotton with the nice little crossover gets to the lane and passes off to Brandt for a 2 he was fouled but missed the shot. Hawks get a quick reply, Perth 76 Illawarra 71 5:45 left.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Clarke with a tough shot to get his 6th of the quarter. 5 point game. Wildcats 74 Hawks 69. 7 minutes remain.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Clarke has been impressive in this game as he drops another 2. Perth 74 Illawarra 67 8:00 left.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Clarke gets 2 to start the scoring for the Hawks. Perth 74 Illawarra 65 8:33 left.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Cotton starts the fourth the way he started the third with a 3 p. This one he was draped in Hawks defenders. Wildcats 74 Hawks 63. 9:04 left in the game.