DrinkWise Preview: NBL25 - Championship Series Game 5 v Illawarra Hawks

For the second straight year, everything will come down to the final game of the NBL25 season.

We are set to head to Wollongong for Game 5 of the Hungry Jack’s Championship Series against the Illawarra Hawks, hoping to secure the club’s third title as Melbourne United.

We have enjoyed success in Wollongong over the years, having won 10 of our last 13 games in the ‘Sandpit’, dating back to 2019.

This includes this season, which has seen us beat the Hawks in three of our four trips to the WIN Entertainment Centre.

For Illawarra, a win would give the club its first Championship victory since 2001.

WHO’S HOT, WHO’S NOT

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

Hawks - W, L, W, L, W

In order to secure the win on Sunday, we will have to do what we have done best all season; dominate on the road.

Across NBL25, we have won over 70% of our road games. In these games, we have outrebounded opponents by 4.9 rebounds per game.

Controlling the glass has been a major factor in determining the victor in each of the series’ four games, so if we can play to the level we have all season, we are well placed to bring a Championship back to Melbourne.

Having enjoyed a high level of success at home against every other team, the Hawks will be hoping to force the visitors into bulk turnovers.

This season, Illawarra have a 18-6 record when forcing their opponents into double-digit turnovers.

STARS COLLIDE

Across the course of the series, so many different players have stood up in big moments.

Ian Clark has led the way scoring wise for us, averaging a series-high 19 points per game through the previous four games.

Clark will be hoping to start the game how he finished Game 4, which saw him register eight quick points in the final period.

On the other side, the Hawks will be hoping Game 4 hero Will Hickey can stand tall once again.

The energetic guard finished with a career-high 22 points and leads his team in scoring across the entire series.

GAME INFO

Who: Melbourne United vs Illawarra Hawks

Tip-off: 2:30pm AEDT, Sunday 23 March, 2025

Where: WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong

Watch: ESPN and Channel 10