The best-of-five NBL25 Championship series gets underway on Saturday night with the Illawarra Hawks set to host Melbourne United in Game 1. It’s sure to be a packed house at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong, as the Hawks faithful aim to lift their club to a 1-0 lead in the series. As always, we bring you a full game preview and best bet for the clash below!
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NBL25 Championship Series Preview & Betting Tips
Illawarra Hawks vs Melbourne United (Game 1)
Saturday 8:00pm AEDT (March 8), WIN Entertainment Centre
The Illawarra Hawks and Melbourne United face off in Game 1 of the NBL Championship Series at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong on Saturday night. The Hawks are aiming to secure their second-ever championship and their first since 2001, while United are looking to claim their third title in the last eight years. Melbourne will also be eager to make amends after falling short in last season’s Championship Series against the Tasmania JackJumpers. Both teams come into this clash full of confidence after securing hard-fought 2-1 series wins in their respective semi-finals.
The Hawks booked their place in the Grand Final with a dominant showing in their decisive Game 3 against South East Melbourne Phoenix. After splitting the first two games of the series, Illawarra delivered a season-best performance at home, scoring 126 points and storming to a 30-point victory. The win showcased the Hawks’ offensive firepower and their ability to turn up the intensity when needed. Justin Tatum’s side has been excellent at home all season, finishing with a 10-4 regular season record at the WIN Entertainment Centre, and they remain undefeated in Wollongong during the finals.
United, on the other hand, had a much tenser path to the Championship Series, overcoming Perth in a thrilling Game 3. Their decider came down to the wire, with Chris Goulding holding his nerve to sink a late free throw and secure a dramatic one-point win. It was a game widely regarded as one of the best of the season, and United showed their ability to perform under pressure. Dean Vickerman’s squad has significant big-game experience, and he is now aiming to win his fourth NBL championship and third with Melbourne United.
These two sides met three times in the regular season, with Illawarra winning two of the encounters. United took the first matchup by five points, but the Hawks responded emphatically with back-to-back wins, first by 13 points and then by 22 in their most recent clash. That recent head-to-head dominance could be a significant factor, especially with the Hawks holding home-court advantage in this best-of-five series. Despite United’s experience, the Hawks have shown they can handle Melbourne’s style of play and will be confident heading into Game 1.
Both teams enter the Championship Series at full strength, with no injury concerns. The Hawks will rely on their home crowd to set the tone early in the series, while United will be hoping their experience in big games can give them an edge. However, given Illawarra’s strong home record, dominant performance in the semi-finals, and their recent success against Melbourne, they deserve to be considered favourites. Expect the Hawks to start the series strongly with a win in Game 1.
Hawks -5.5
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