LADDER leaders Illawarra Hawks will look to see out 2024 on a high when they face mid-table side South East Melbourne Phoenix in a New Year’s Eve contest. The two teams have had contrasting years, with the Phoenix sacking coach Mike Kelly mid-season but turning around their form to put themselves back into the Play-In Tournament position, while the Hawks have remained a contender throughout.

Illawarra Hawks vs. South East Melbourne Phoenix

WIN Entertainment Centre, 5:30pm AEDT

Illawarra enters the match off the back of a five-game winning streak and boast a 5-2 record at home. The Hawks return from an 18-point win over Brisbane Bullets on the road last Friday, which came off a two-day break from a three-point Christmas Day thriller over Sydney Kings. By comparison, the Phoenix have not played in 10 days, having an extended break since defeating Adelaide 36ers 106-86 on December 21.

The Hawks are a genuine title threat this season and deserving of their ladder-leading position. Ranking first for points, points per possession, rebounds and field goal percentage, Illawarra continues to tick along nicely across every facet. Most of the Phoenix’s stats will be skewed given the poor start to teh year, but having won four of their past five games – including a 103-100 victory over teh Hawks to kick-start that run on November 30 – the visitors will go into the game with belief.

Illawarra has now won seven of the past eight, but that loss to the Phoenix still sticks out, so retribution will be a key for the ladder-leading Hawks. In that match, Phoenix tyoung gun Owen Foxwell had career-best numbers of 22 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two steals – shooting four of six from long-range – to support Jordan Hunter‘s 23 points en route to an upset win. Tyler Harvey (19 points, five assists and four rebounds) and Darius Days (18 points, nine rebounds) were the best from the losing side.

Phoenix shooter Matt Hurt holds the key, shooting 20.2 points per game this season including 2.0 makes from beyond the arc each match. If Illawarra does not guard him properly he will punish them, shooting at an accurate 37.5 per cent from that range, and ridiculous 65.2 per cent from inside the arc. Nathan Sobey is always a threat across the board and will be one to watch, though he has his work cut out for him against the best back court duo in the NBA.

Harvey and Trey Kell III combine for 36.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game, providing consistent scoring and sharing the rock around. Sam Froling ranks third overall in offensive rebounds, able to grab 2.7 boards per game to put up second chance opportunities. Jordan Hunter is a similar story up the other end for the Phoenix, and while not a massive scorer (11.3 points per game), can impact with his second chance baskets. He is also the second most accurate field goal shooter in teh league, making 65.8 per cent of the shots he attempts.

Illawarra deserve favouritism in this one and will be able to remain at home to welcome in the new year, but it is fascinating to see how much the schedule – heavy for the Hawks, light for the Phoenix – plays into the match.

TIP = Illawarra Hawks by 9