FOLLOWING an exciting start to the National Basketball League (NBL) postseason on Wednesday night, the stage is set for the final play-in match to take place tonight, with the Illawarra Hawks and New Zealand Breakers set to lock horns.

Wednesday’s double-header saw the playoff picture become much clearer, with the Tasmania JackJumpers defeating the Hawks to book a spot against the Perth Wildcats in the semi-final, while the Sydney Kings had their three-peat hopes dashed after being eliminated by the Breakers.

Now, Illawarra will play host to New Zealand in another do-or-die match for these clubs, in what is shaping as an exciting encounter.

Play-in Game Three

Illawarra Hawks (4th) vs. New Zealand Breakers (6th)
WIN Entertainment Centre, 7:30pm, AEDT

The final game of the play-in tournament takes place tonight, proving the last piece that determines how the semi-finals will look later in the week. With both sides looking unlikely at making the top six at stages throughout the season, it will be a remarkable feat for whichever side makes it through.

THE TEAMS

The Hawks have been the fairytale side of the 2023/24 fixture, turning things around from a 2-7 start to the season into a fourth placed finish and a solid shot of keeping that rolling into the playoffs. However, Illawarra was comfortably bested by Tasmania on Wednesday, and will be eager to get back to its best with the season on the line.

The Hawks were brought undone by the JackJumpers’ ability to get their big men open inside the paint, and Illawarra has publicly claimed that will be a point of focus against the Breakers. Having turned things around and responded to adversity earlier in the season, expect a fired up Illawarra side tonight.

The Breakers looked down and out for all money against the two-time reigning champions on Wednesday night, before overturning a double-digit deficit to produce a remarkable victory. New Zealand kept its season alive with a tremendous showing of resilience, and will be hoping to keep that momentum rolling against Illawarra.

The Breakers have shown plenty of heart despite losing some key players to season-ending injuries, and others playing through niggles. Although they face an offensively talented Hawks side and will need to silence the WIN Entertainment Centre crowd, New Zealand will consider itself a red-hot chance to book a spot against United.

LAST TIME THEY MET

You do not have to look too far back to find the most recent encounter between these sides, and in that Round 19 clash, the Breakers beat the Hawks by three points in a thriller. Overcoming the loss of superstar Anthony Lamb and a six-point deficit in the fourth term, New Zealand rallied late to snag an 88-85 victory that helped get the team from across the Tasman into the play-in tournament, and prevent Illawarra from moving up to third.

KEY PLAYERS

For the Hawks, a lot of pressure will be on the shoulders of Justin Robinson, who will have a big responsibility in limiting the impact of star guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright. Robinson is Illawarra’s best defender and has shown capabilities of being one of the best in his position on that side of the ball, but faces a tough task here.

If Robinson can keep his opponent quiet, it will be a massive factor in the match and go a long way towards the Hawks booking a spot in the next stage.

Conversely, New Zealand’s chances rest largely on the performance of ‘PJC’, as demonstrated above by the importance of the opposition’s ability to curb his influence. Jackson-Cartwright was a genuine matchwinner against Sydney last week with his shotmaking prowess.

Expect the ball to be in his hands as much as possible, and with the ability to score himself or set up his taller teammates, he looms as vital to the Breakers’ hopes.

PREDICTION

Illawarra Hawks by 8.