Play-In Qualifier Preview - Hawks v Breakers

After finishing fourth, the Hawks won the right to host the Play-In game, and the Illawarra faithful will ensure the home-court advantage is real come 7:30 this evening.

The Hawks overcame a slow start against Tasmania but eventually fell to the Jack Jumpers 92-76 in Wednesday night's finals opener.

The Breakers silenced Qudos Bank Arena en route to eliminating the Kings 83-76 and winning their way through to the Play-in decider.

Justin Tatum labelled the performance against Tasmania in Wednesday's Seeding Qualifier as not the Hawks "style" and emphasised the team's depth as a major advantage going into tonight's match.

The scout will centre around limiting the impact of Breakers point guard Parker Jackson Cartright. JPC was the difference maker against the Kings, and Tatum's men will be out to ensure no repeat of his match-winning performance.

"Once we show different bodies to PJC and use our depth in our bench, I feel we have the advantage in that aspect, "said Tatum. 

Co-captain Tyler Harvey, who averaged 21 points per game against the Breakers, has issued a rallying cry to Hawks Nation and said if there's one thing he's learned over this season, it's that his side always responds to adversity.

It will be a special night for one of the club's more popular team members, with Todd Blanchfield playing his 400th NBL game in front of a parochial home crowd.

The winner of this game will face the ladder-leading Melbourne United in a best-of-three Playoff Series, while the loser will have time called on their NBL24 campaign.

Opposition Watch

Star import Parker Jackson-Cartwright had a season-high 34 points in Sydney on Wednesday as the injury-hit Breakers came back from as many as 13 points down to stay alive in NBL24.

JPC is not the only threat to the Hawks this evening. Zylan Cheatham, Will McDowell-White, Finn Delaney, and Isaiah Le'afa can all be game-breakers on their night, and Next Star Mantas Rubstavicius has continued to show he is built for the big stage.

Mody Maor has his side adopting an underdog tag, but make no mistake, the Breakers are full of belief and would love nothing more than to bring a home final to New Zealand.

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.