HOOPSFEST continues into the weekend tonight, as the Perth Wildcats play in front of their home crowd for the first time in the round, hosting the Illawarra Hawks in a blockbuster Friday night encounter in the National Basketball League (NBL).

Round 17 began last night with the Sydney Kings defeating the Brisbane Bullets by 15 points to kick off HoopsFest, with all games over the weekend set to take place in Perth as all of Australian basketball descends on W.A.’s capital city.

The action will continue tonight, with the main attraction being the Wildcats playing on their home court of RAC Arena against the reigning champions. Although the Hawks will enter the match as underdogs, the occasion could bring out the best from last year’s winners and deliver a Friday night blockbuster.

The Wildcats are still locked in an engaging battle for a top four spot, currently sitting in fifth place with a record of 14 wins and 10 losses, two wins ahead of the Tasmania JackJumpers who are next up in the standings.

A win tonight could see Perth leapfrog the out-of-form Melbourne United into the top four in a dramatic turnaround from the start of the season, where the latter won their first nine games. Given the even state of platy in the NBL, getting a top four spot would be crucial in the championship race, and the Wildcats have the best chance to place themselves nicely with a win tonight.

It will be a big battle in the frontcourt tonight, with the paint performers set to define the game. The Wildcats duo of Jo Lual-Acuil and Kristian Doolittle have been a big part of the team’s success, but tonight face off against Sam Froling and JaVale McGee in a star-studded clash in the low-block. If the Perth pair can get on top, it will be massive within the context of the match.

The reigning champions have not found the same level of success this season, currently sitting in the bottom four and losing their chances of making a late charge into the play in. It has been a disappointing drop off from last year’s victors, who will be looking to cause an upset out west tonight.

The key to success for the Hawks tonight will be whether or not they can tidy up their play and hold onto the ball. Illawarra is the worst side in the NBL when it comes to turnovers, and it has cost the team plenty of chances in recent weeks and allowed the opposition to score heavily in transition.

If the Hawks can hold onto the ball and complete their possessions at a higher rate, it will be massive for their chances of pulling off the upset win in enemy territory. They showed the ability to win on the big stage last year, and will need that trait tonight.