Game Preview - Hawks v Taipans

The match pits sixth against seventh on the competition standings, with a win vital to both team's hopes in the fight for play-in positions.

The Hawks split last weekend's road double, victorious in one of the games of the season, a double overtime thriller against the JackJumpers.

Justin Tatum's men enter round 16 with a new level of expectation and a commitment to defending their home floor in the run home.

The Hawks boast three players in the top 20 in scoring, with Sam Froling [15.7], Gary Clark [15.4], and Tyler Harvey [14.7] leading the way on the offensive end.

The Taipans average 90 points a game, and the Hawks will need the scoring punch of the Big 3 and the hot form of Justin Robinson to continue if they are to put a winning score on the board.

Kyle Adnam will suit up for the Hawks for the first time since the 2014-15 NBL season, joining the side as a nominated replacement player while Dan Grida continues his rehabilitation from a left knee complaint.

Opposition Watch

The Taipans arrive in Wollongong fresh off a come-from-behind home victory over the Adelaide 36ers.

Patrick Miller continues to stay in the MVP discussion, while Buol Kol is one of the league's best three and d wings, making the Taipans a dangerous proposition for opposition sides.

Big man Sam Waardenburg and Next Star Bobbi Klintman will miss tonight's game with a concussion, leaving rookie Sam Mennenga and former Hawk Akoldah Gak to battle an in-form Hawks frontline.

The Taipans face the Hawks on Thursday night before returning home to take on the surging Brisbane Bullets on Sunday afternoon.

Don't Miss the Action 

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

Be in your seats by 7.15 pm for lights out, with the action to tip-off at 7.30 pm.