The NBL25 Finals continue on Friday night with Game 1 of the semi-final’s matchup between the Illawarra Hawks and the South East Melbourne Phoenix. It should be a fast-paced, highly competitive, and extremely entertaining game in the ‘Gong! We bring you our full game preview and best bet below.
Season record: 92-64 +33.5U
NBL25 Semi-Finals Preview & Betting Tips
Illawarra Hawks vs South East Melbourne Phoenix (Game 1)
Friday 7:30pm AEDT (Feb 28), WIN Entertainment Centre
Illawarra and South East Melbourne face off on Friday night in the first game of their best-of-three semi-final series. The Hawks finished the regular season on top of the ladder with a 20-9 record, earning them a direct passage to the semi-finals. They were the best team in the league all season and will have homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs. They come into this matchup in strong form, winning their last three games of the regular season and seven of their last nine. The Hawks have also been dominant at the WIN Entertainment Centre, winning their last five games at the venue. Their offence was the best in the league, averaging 101.4 points per game, while their defence ranked third, conceding just 91.2 points per game. With a rested squad and the benefit of home support, the Hawks will be looking to assert themselves early in the series.
The Phoenix had a rollercoaster season, starting with five consecutive losses before turning things around after a coaching change. Under Josh King, they became one of the best teams in the competition, finishing fourth with a 16-13 record. They had to go through the Play-In Tournament, where they lost their first game against Perth before bouncing back with a huge comeback win over Sydney. Their offence was the third-best in the league, averaging 96.1 points per game, and they had the sixth-ranked defence, allowing 91.6 points per contest. Despite their inconsistency at times, the Phoenix have proven they can compete with the league’s best, particularly in the second half of the season.
Injury-wise, both teams will welcome back key players for this clash. The Hawks are expected to have Darius Days back after he missed the end of the regular season with a hamstring injury, while Trey Kell, who has dealt with minor injuries, is also set to play. For the Phoenix, Derrick Walton Jr will return after missing the last part of the season and both Play-In games with a hamstring issue. His presence will be crucial in leading their offence against a disciplined Hawks defence. These teams met three times in the regular season, with the Hawks winning the first meeting before the Phoenix claimed the next two, including a victory at the WIN Entertainment Centre. All three games were tightly contested, with the margin never exceeding six points.
With the stakes raised in the playoffs, this game is expected to be another close battle. The Hawks’ consistency throughout the season, combined with their strong home form, gives them the edge. They have an extra level they can reach in the post-season and also hold an experience advantage in big games. The Phoenix, however, have shown resilience and the ability to respond to adversity, making them a dangerous opponent. Still, with their firepower and homecourt advantage, the Hawks are my pick to come out on top in a hard-fought contest.
Hawks Win By 1-10
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