DREWITT’S BULBS MATCH PREVIEW: Do-or-die game three as Championship Series beckons for rising Phoenix

Key Details

ILLAWARRA HAWKS v. SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX
Where: Win Entertainment Centre
When: Wednesday, March 5 at 7:30pm AEDT
Watch: ESPN 

Josh King’s side came home with vengeance in front of an 8,000-strong Phoenix crowd to take the Playoff series to a Game 3 back in Wollongong.

The Phoenix kept close to the top-of-the-ladder Hawks, minimising the impact of the All-NBL First team backcourt of Trey Kell III and Tyler Harvey.

After a disappointing Game 1 by his loft standards, Phoenix import Matt Hurt came out on a mission, dropping 30 points, the most a Phoenix player has ever had in a post-season clash.

MATT HURT! 🔥

📺 ESPN | 10 & 10 Play pic.twitter.com/7h1C9aFQIH

— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) March 2, 2025

Both sides travel back to Wollongong in the decider tonight and see who will advance to the Championship series, and who will end their NBL25 season.

TEAMS

Phoenix

The Phoenix will go in unchanged. 

Hawks

The Hawks will also go in unchanged.

KEEP AN EYE ON

Owen Foxwell vs Tyler Harvey

After a 24-point game in Game 1 for Hawks captain Tyler Harvey, defence was high on coach Josh King’s agenda and young gun Owen Foxwell was given the task of trying to quell the playmaker. The 21-year-old Foxwell was a thorn in Harvey’s side, keeping to star to just 10 points and fouling him out of the game in the fourth. Foxwell and the fellow guards will have a task as Harvey returns to the Snake Pit with a point to prove.

Foxy sneak and bucket! 🔥

📺 ESPN | 10 & 10 Play pic.twitter.com/FBnOGdQkk7

— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) March 2, 2025

HISTORY

Finals Season Head-to-Head
Phoenix 1-1 Hawks

Last time out – Playoffs Game 2, NBL25
Phoenix 101-94 Hawks

Phoenix
Hurt 30p
Sobey 25p
Glover 16p

Hawks
Hickey 19p
Froling 11p
Harvey 10p