DrinkWise Preview: NBL25 - Round 17, Game 1 v Illawarra Hawks

With top spot on the NBL ladder up for grabs, all eyes are set to be on our clash with the Illawarra Hawks on Saturday evening.

Having split the season series 1-1 so far, the matchup will provide one team with some bragging rights across the back end of NBL25.

When the two sides met earlier in the season in Wollongong, the road team took home the win without both Matthew Dellavedova and Shea Ili on the back of Chris Goulding’s 25 points and Jack White’s 19 rebounds.

WHO’S HOT, WHO’S NOT

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

Hawks - L, L, W, W, L

In both of the previous meetings between the two teams, whoever won the rebounding battle came away with the victory.

We have won 12 of 15 games when winning the rebound count, while the Hawks have won 11 of 14.

It should then surprise no one that Illawarra and Melbourne rank first and second respectively in rebounds per game this season.

STARS COLLIDE

The league’s two most prolific three-point shooters are set to duel come Saturday evening, As Chris Goulding takes the court after his 42-point performance across from Illawarra’s Tyler Harvey.

Goulding has been unstoppable of late, averaging 24.9 points per game in his last nine outings, seven of which have been victories.

Harvey on the other hand will be looking to repeat his season-high 31-point effort from his Round 12 matchup in Melbourne.

GAME INFO

Who: Melbourne United vs Illawarra Hawks

Tip-off: 8pm AEDT, Saturday 18 January, 2025

Where: WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong

Watch: ESPN