Game Preview - Hawks v Brisbane Bullets

It's 5th vs 6th on the standings, with one game separating the two teams.

The Bullets enter Round 18 with a 12-win, 13-loss record from their 25 games and have defeated the Hawks on both occasions the teams have met this season.

The Hawks sit just one win behind the Bullets at 11-12, having played two fewer games, and yet to play Brisbane at WIN Entertainment Centre in NBL24.

With so much at stake, Justin Tatum's men need no further motivation than to jump the Bullets on the competition standings and cement themselves in the league's top six with just two rounds to play.

In front of close to 4,300 home fans, the Hawks came from behind to defeat the New Zealand Breakers last Sunday afternoon, and another bumper crowd is expected to see the Hawks continue their winning ways.

Tatum used his new starting line-up of Harvey, Lee, Swaka Lo Buluk, Clark and Froling to great effect in Round 17 and will hope the second unit of Robinson, Blanchfield, Peatling, Johnson, Olbrich and Hickey replicate their impressive cameos against the Bullets.

These two sides match up well against each other with explosive scorers in the backcourt, complementing wing depth and physicality on the inside.

Marquee matchups include Tyler Harvey and Nathan Sobey, Gary Clark and Josh Bannan, and Sam Froling against the three-headed monster of Baynes, Harrison, and Zikarsky.

The age-old cliche rings true for your Hawks: it's one game at a time, but don't doubt the importance of this one. It's game on tonight.

Opposition Watch

The Bullets find themselves within striking distance of the finals for the first time since the 2018-19 season.

First-year head coach Justin Schuller has his team believing the drought is nearing an end in what has been an impressive campaign for the rookie coach.

Nathan Sobey is the marketable name on the Bullets roster, and his 20 points per game puts him fourth in the competition. For as dominant as Sobey has been, a string of Australian content has propelled the Bullets charge back up the ladder.

Sam McDaniel is the Bullets' first-choice defender, and expect him to see time on multiple Hawks tonight. Josh Bannan is as impressive as any first-year player in the NBL, and Tyler Harrison has established himself as one of the game's best rim protectors and rebounders.

Norton, Simth, and former Hawk Issac White and all perimeter threats have stepped up in recent times for Coach Schuller.

Don't Miss the Action 

Tickets are available via Ticketmaster for today's match at www.hawks.com.au/tickets 

Be in your seats by 5.15 pm for lights out, with the action to tip-off at 5.30 pm.

Today’s match is presented by Wollongong Central - Home | Wollongong Central