DrinkWise Preview: NBL25 - Championship Series Game 2 v Illawarra Hawks

After picking up a crucial Game 1 victory on the road, we are set to return home for Game 2 of the Hungry Jack’s Championship Series against the Illawarra Hawks.

Following a sub-par first half, we were at our defensively dominant best in the second half- orchestrating an 18-point turn around in front of a loud Hawks crowd.

A win on Wednesday would put us in a commanding position, up 2-0 in the best-of-five series.

WHO’S HOT, WHO’S NOT

(Past five games)
United - W, W, L, W, W

Hawks - W, W, L, W, L

Across the course of the season, our success can be linked to our effort in the rebounding department.

When out-rebounding opponents in NBL25. We hold a 17-3 record, with a pair of those wins coming against the Hawks.

17 of our rebounds came on the offensive end, helping us score 22 second-chance points. When registering over 20 second-chance points, we are unbeaten this season.

For Illawarra, the constant attention they’re paying to Chris Goulding on the perimeter opened up opportunities in the paint for the sharpshooter’s teammates.

The Hawks allowed 44 points in the paint in the defeat. It was the eighth game this season that the Hawks have lost when allowing more than 40 points in the paint.

STARS COLLIDE

One of the players doing the most damage around the hoop for us was Marcus Lee, who came off the bench to register one of his best games of the season.

The American big man became the only player in NBL history to tally at least 14 points and 15 rebounds on perfect shooting from the field in a Championship Series game.

His counterpart, Illawarra star Sam Froling, had a strong outing of his own, registering a team-high 16 points and seven rebounds.

Which one of the two bigs can gain the upper hand on Wednesday will likely go a long way in determining who comes away with the pivotal win.

GAME INFO

Who: Melbourne United vs Illawarra Hawks

Tip-off: 7:30pm AEDT, Wednesday 12 March, 2025

Where: John Cain Arena, Melbourne

Tickets: Available via Ticketek

Watch: ESPN