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š» IMPORTANT AUCKLAND UPDATE š»
'Iām tipping a blowout win': Huge prediction for NBL Championship decider
Nicholas QuinlanĀ ā¢ Ā March 23rd, 2025 3:18 pm
The NBL will once again see a championship series go the distance with Illawarra Hawks beating Melbourne United 80-71 in game four in Melbourne.
The series has been neck a neck with the series tied at 2-2 to set up a final showdown between the two best teams in the NBL this season.
NBL legend Damon Lowery would speak on SENās The Captainās Run to preview Game 5 and give his tip for the championship.
When asked about game four, Lowery admitted he was surprised that Melbourne was not able to close out the series in game four citing their poor shooting as to why.
āYou know what, yep, they choked,ā Lowery said.
āYouāve got 10,000 people at John Cain Arena; you canāt change your mind in that joint.
āThem dudes have everything to play for, they had the champagne chilling backstage, and they came out there and couldnāt score more than 42 points in a half of basketball.
āThey had their opportunities, and they squandered them.ā
This series has been quite the rollercoaster as neither Melbourne nor Illawarra have won on their home court.
Lowery, however, expects this to help the home side in Illawarra believing that Melbourne will struggle with the pressure of playing in Wollongong for game five.
āYouāve already gone there (and) won twice, you didnāt think you would ever have to go there and win three times,ā Lowery explained.
āAnd I donāt want to use the word dread but whatever is a little bit lower than dread, is how I imagine thatās what theyāre feeling.
āIf I was on that team, I would be pissed off if Iāve got to go fly back to Sydney, hop on the bus, drive to Wollongong (and) do it all over again when like you say, we should be on day two of this celebration by now.ā
However, recent history suggests that being away actually benefits Melbourne.
According to NBL.com.au, the last seven championship games have been won by the away side.
But Lowery, who was part of Illawarraās only NBL title in 2001 thinks the Hawks have what it takes to win believing an offensive performance is due.
āI can see a defensive performance like that (in game five),ā he said.
āBut Illawarra Hawks, Iām waiting for that offensive explosion.
āNow Trey Kell is supposed to play, as long as Trey Kell doesnāt come back and try to do too much, I feel like the Hawks havenāt hit their straps offensively.
āSo, Iām tipping a blowout win (for the Hawks) in game five, Iām thinking along the lines of 110 to 88.ā
Game Five will be played on Sunday afternoon with Illawarra hosting Melbourne to decide the NBL25 champion.
Tip-off will take place at 4:30pm NZ time.
