R12 Game Preview: Phoenix v Hawks

Opponent: Illawarra Hawks

Where: WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong

When: Thursday April 1 – 7:30pm AEDT

Broadcast: ESPN, SBS On Demand, Twitch, NBL TV

Phoenix NBL21 Record: 10-8 (fourth on the NBL ladder)

South East Melbourne Phoenix have never lost to the Illawarra Hawks and will look to keep their perfect record intact on the road Thursday night.

Both sides enter the contest with 10-8 records and trying to consolidate their place in the top four.

It’s the Phoenix’s first road trip since before the NBL Cup, presenting a big opportunity to show their mettle by winning in enemy territory against a quality team.

In both wins over the Hawks this year, South East Melbourne shot the ball more efficiently from the field and the line than their opposition, had more assists and turned the ball over less.

Another tidy performance will be required to come away with a win in Illawarra.

(Ben Moore leads the league in field-goal shooting at 64%)

SQUAD

Keifer Sykes (foot), Dane Pineau (knee jar) and Kendall Stephens (achilles) will miss.

Mitch Creek will return.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Cam Gliddon has been the catalyst for the two wins over Illawarra this year.

The shooting guard averages 17 points and 4.5 triples per game on the Hawks in NBL21, including that incredible third quarter in the Heartland when he poured in five three-balls to blow the game wide open.

His defensive efforts will also be important against the Hawks’ dangerous backcourt.

(Gliddon's breakout performance against the Hawks in Round 4 set up what's been a great first season in Phoenix colours)

OPPOSITION REPORT

Illawarra sit third on the NBL table with the same record as the Phoenix, 10-8.

Their most recent fixture was on Monday when they returned home for the first time in over a month and comfortably beat finals aspirant Brisbane by 24-points.

The Hawks’ backcourt duo of Tyler Harvey and Justinian Jessup is one of the most potent in the NBL. Harvey is averaging over 20 points per game while Jessup shoots the three at an impressive 43 per cent clip.

Local guns Deng Adel and Cam Bairstow have been coming off the bench in recent games and providing great depth for the talented team.

Lengthy import Justin Simon leads the league in steals with 1.9 per game.

HISTORY VS. OPPOSITION

Head-to-Head Record:

Phoenix 5 Hawks 0

NBL21:

Phoenix def Hawks 98-82

Phoenix def Hawks 93-76

NBL20:

Phoenix def Hawks 106-102

Phoenix def Hawks 112-102

Phoenix def Hawks 90-82

Sam Bunn for Phoenix Media (31/03/2021)