Hawks out to fight the flames of the Phoenix

Justin Tatum controlled the home sidelines for the first time against the Perth Wildcats, and the Hawks delivered their best performance of the season, running out 18-point winners behind the stellar play of Sam Froling, Gary Clark and co.

The Hawks have hung their hat on the defensive end of the ball since Tatum's promotion, but it was the offensive output against Perth that had the WIN Entertainment Centre crowd in raptures on Friday night.

With the starters setting the foundation in recent weeks, the Hawks bench of Lee, Johnson, Hickey, and Peatling have all played their part and will need to continue their impact if the Hawks are to register two wins in a row later today.

Saturday afternoon's match pit two of the league's best offensive rebounding teams against each other, with the Hawks bigs of Froling and Clark to battle Alan Williams, Mitch Creek and co on the glass in Gippsland.

The Hawks were victorious in the first meeting between the two sides back in Round Two but expect the Phoenix to be smarting from a throwdown loss to United earlier in the week.

Opposition Watch

Mike Kelly’s team sits 5th on the NBL standings with an 8-7 record.

The Phoenix recorded one of the more impressive wins of the season on the road in Sydney in Round 10 before returning home on Thursday night to be beaten convincingly by cross-town rivals Melbourne United.

New import Abdel Nadar is expected to suit up for the Phoenix for the first time and will provide much-needed support in the frontcourt following the loss of wing Craig Moller to injury.

Mitch Creek and Alan Williams will be ones to watch for the home side, while the perimeter play of Gary Browne will be a focus for a deep and talented Hawks backcourt led by Harvey, Robinson, Johnson, and Hickey.

Where to Watch

Catch all the action Live from 5:30pm AEDT on ESPN via Kayo Freebies.