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Illawarra Hawks vs South East Melbourne PhoenixWednesday March 05, 7:30pm |
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If Illawarra prove victorious then they’ll advance through to their first Grand Final series since 2016-17. Whilst for South East Melbourne it would represent a first-ever for one of the NBL’s newer franchises. If the Hawks win you can’t be angry no matter whom you support, given that just two seasons ago they were in the rubble in 10th place. The same goes for the Phoenix given that they started this current season 0-5 before they finally found their footing. The hosts have also won six consecutive matches at the ‘Gong’. Meanwhile the visitors have 11 wins from their last 17 games overall. The latest of which was a 101-94 victory in Game Two, which included a 35-26 effort in Q4. This series will undoubtedly draw to a close in the most scintillating way possible!
You can watch it via Kayo Sports or for those outside of Australia, on the NBL’s official YouTube.
Last time out it was the Phoenix who were just a little bit better at John Cain Arena, as they edged out the Hawks to push it to a Game Three. Q1 ended at 24-all. Then headed into half-time the hosts were up by just four-points. Illawarra led by three-points at the start of Q4, before South East Melbourne decisively won the final period by nine-points to get up and about. Matt Hurt was massive with 30PTS, whilst Nathan Sobey led him closely with a 25-piece meal. And off the bench Angus Glover had 16PTS and Owen Foxwell 10PTS. Hurt also shot 4/7 from beyond the arc, in addition to 1REB, 1AST, 1STL and 2BLK. And for Illawarra it was PG Will Hickey who stood up massively off the pine in 19:35 minutes of playing time. As he locked down 19PTS, 6REB and 4AST. Meanwhile Sam Froling conjured up 11PTS and five-boards.
The staple of the Hawks campaign has been their tenacious defence. They have suffocated their opposition teams on the ‘grittier’ side of the floor and as a result that’s why they finished in 1st place. Sam Froling close to the rim is a massive part of that, as is Will Hickey guarding his opposing Guard. However neither were particularly flash in that department during the defeat and nor were their teammates. South East Melbourne exposed them massively. One prime example was Illawarra conceded 27FTS in Game Two. In stark comparison Game One saw them leak just 18 shots from the line. If Justin Tatum’s troops can go back to what’s worked so well for them the majority of this season then at a packed out WIN Entertainment Centre they’ll be difficult to get past. However if the Phoenix continue to shoot with a hot-hand then anything is possible. Wednesday night simply cannot come fast enough.
Betting tips: Pick a monumental upset Phoenix dub at $2.65 (BetFair)
Also pick Q1 to be theirs as well at $2.15 (Bet365)
Outside of that you can look for the first half total to be 95+ PTS at $1.50 (Bet365)
And back Matt Hurt to score 15+ PTS for the visitors at $1.18 and for Sam Froling to collect 5+ REB at $1.20 (Bet365)