A HUGE performance from Brisbane Bullets in front of home fans is what it will take for the fifth placed side to topple the NBL ladder leaders as Round 14 continues in the Sunshine State tonight. After the Hawks’ biggest threat Melbourne United got back on the winners’ list last night, Illawarra will look to return serve and ensure the Hawks remain three games clear of Melbourne in the run home.

Brisbane Bullets vs. Illawarra Hawks

Brisbane Entertainment Centre, 7:30pm AEDT

There is no doubt that the test is a huge one for the Bullets, but they do come in with some great form. The Bullets have won four of its past five games and have a great record against Illawarra in Brisbane, winning five of their past six games at the venue. The title-contending Hawks have won their past four games and are cruising at the top of the table, having played four less games than United but only have one less win.

What makes the Hawks so strong is the fact that they can get to the basket, dominate the boards and then pile on the scoring pressure with plenty of outlets. The biggest battle will be in the rebounds, with Illawarra ranked number one for rebounds, but Brisbane concedes the eighth least boards per game.

In Brisbane’s most recent win – a 21-point victory over the 36ers – Tyrell Harrison (14 rebounds) and Josh Bannan (nine) picked off 16 defensive boards combined, while seven players had three or more rebounds for the match. The Bullets have the bigs to defend, but they concede too many points, with 96.2 per game, compared to Illawarra’s 91.2.

The Bullets can score themselves, with Casey Prather (20.1 points per game) and Keandre Cook (18.0) both capable scorers, but the evenness of Illawarra’s attack is what stands out. Trey Kell III (18.6), Tyler Harvey (17.6), Sam Froling (14.4) and Darius Days (11.4) can all step up on their day, which has helped the Hawks become the number one scoring team in the competition.

If there is a weakness to the Hawks’ lineup it would be conceding open looks which can hurt them, but as both teams have shown, neither is afraid of a shoot out. Illawarra is ranked first in field goal percentage – Brisbane is second – while the Bullets rank first in three-point percentage compared to the Hawks’ third.

All signs point to plenty of baskets at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. Given the Bullets have scored 80-plus points in each of their last 11 games, Illawarra will likely need to put up triple-digits to ensure victory. That back court duo of Harvey and Kell III is one of the strongest in the competition, and while the Bullets bigs look set to have an impact, it will come down to which team can get the game on their terms.

TIP = Illawarra Hawks by 4 points