Illawarra Hawks Face High-Stakes Showdown in NBL Semi-Final
The NBL semi-final series is reaching its climax, and all eyes are on the Illawarra Hawks as they prepare to defend their home court against the South East Melbourne Phoenix. The intensity is at an all-time high, with a grand final spot hanging in the balance. This Wednesday night at the WIN Entertainment Centre, the Hawks will need to bring their A-game to hold off a determined Phoenix squad that has already proven its resilience.
Phoenix head coach Josh King has made it clear that rebounding will be a crucial factor in this winner-takes-all battle. Despite their 101-94 victory in Game 2, Phoenix struggled on the boards, giving up 19 offensive rebounds. King knows they can’t afford to repeat that mistake. If they want to pull off another upset against the top-seeded Hawks, they need to dominate the glass. “That’s one thing we have to clean up,” King emphasized. “If we can do that, we’ll be in good shape.”
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Phoenix is riding high on momentum after bouncing back from a tough Game 1 loss. With less than 48 hours to regroup, they delivered a statement performance in Game 2, led by star forward Matt Hurt. The 24-year-old was unstoppable, racking up 30 points after struggling in the series opener. However, Hurt will have a target on his back in Game 3, and Phoenix will need more players to step up if they want to get past the Hawks.
King has stressed the importance of a balanced attack all season, and Game 2 was a perfect example. Guard Nathan Sobey provided strong secondary scoring, while Angus Glover, Owen Foxwell, and Joe Wieskamp all made key contributions off the bench. This level of depth will be essential in a hostile environment against a Hawks team eager to prove why they finished as the top seed.
Adding to the drama, Phoenix point guard Derrick Walton Jr. is battling soreness after playing back-to-back games following a hamstring injury. His ability to perform at a high level could be a game-changer.
With everything on the line, this semi-final decider promises to be a thriller. Can the Hawks hold their ground and secure a spot in the NBL Championship Series, or will Phoenix complete their underdog story with a historic win? One thing’s for sure—basketball fans won’t want to miss this epic showdown.
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