DrinkWise Preview: Round 19 Game 1 v Illawarra Hawks

Melbourne United has locked away a spot in the 2021 NBL Finals, but the race for top spot is heating up and every game is crucial in the run home.

United’s next assignment is a trip to Wollongong to face the Hawks on Tuesday night, and with Illawarra holding onto fourth position, they will be a hungry team looking to build towards the Finals.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Jock Landale was on fire in Round 18, highlighted by his impressive performance over in the west against the Wildcats. Leading United home, Landale finished with 19 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists in one of the best wins for Melbourne this season.

Despite falling to South East Melbourne on Sunday, Landale backed up that performance with a team-high 19 points and he was a key focal point for Melbourne’s offence throughout the game.

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Landale is the type of player that when the offence is faltering, you can throw him the ball in the paint and let him go to work. He’s such a skilled big man and with his ability to play inside or outside, Illawarra will be forced to guard him tightly on offence.

Landale enjoyed playing the Hawks last time around, back on 18 April, finishing with a double-double of 13 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Look for him to assert his dominance once again.

KEY MATCH UP

Mitch McCarron led United in rebounds (7) and assists (6) against the Phoenix on Sunday afternoon and despite the loss, he was a man on a mission. He’s been doing a bit of everything all season and with an in-form Tyler Harvey waiting for him on Tuesday night, McCarron will have his hands full.

McCarron’s ability to stuff the stat-sheet is impressive and extremely valuable to Melbourne, but when he’s matched up against the likes of Harvey, he more often than not rises to the challenge defensively.

He will make Harvey’s night as difficult as possible and there’s no doubt that with so much on the line for both teams the heat will be on from the opening tip.

Harvey has been the leader of the Hawks all season and over the last three games – all of which Illawarra has won – he’s averaged 25.3 points, 3.3 assists, 3 rebounds and 3 steals.

THE OTHER GUYS

The Hawks are in strong form, winning their last three games; two against the Breakers and one against the 36ers. They’ve shown an ability over that stretch to come away winners in close games, highlighting how dangerous they are in clutch situations.

Justin Simon delivered the game-winning moment last outing for Illawarra, swiping the ball from New Zealand’s Tai Webster with two just seconds on the clock as the Kiwi was setting up to take the potential game-winning shot.

It’s plays like those that make such a difference for a team fighting for its post-season life and Simon has displayed that type of defensive nous all season for the Hawks.

Justinian Jessup is a knock-down shooter of the highest quality and it only takes one shot for him to get hot and then stay hot. With Jessup and Chris Goulding going head-to-head, this one could very well be a shoot-out.

Sam Froling was massive in Illawarra’s win over New Zealand on Saturday night, recording a double-double of 12 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks. He’s become a vital piece of the Hawks puzzle and is one of the young rising big men in the league.

With a 15-14 record, Illawarra currently owns fourth position, but the chasing pack isn’t going away with Sydney (15-15) and Brisbane (13-15) right there. The Hawks can’t afford a slip up and that’s why United will need to be ready come 7:30pm on Tuesday.

GAME INFO

Who: Melbourne United v Illawarra Hawks.
Tip off: 7:30pm (AEST), Tuesday 18 May.
Where: WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong.
Watch: ESPN and SBS On Demand.