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📻 IMPORTANT AUCKLAND UPDATE 📻
'I’m tipping a blowout win': Huge prediction for NBL Championship decider
Nicholas Quinlan • 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 SEN’s The Captain’s 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.
“You know what, yep, they choked,” Lowery said.
“You’ve got 10,000 people at John Cain Arena; you can’t change your mind in that joint.
“Them dudes have everything to play for, they had the champagne chilling backstage, and they came out there and couldn’t score more than 42 points in a half of basketball.
“They had their opportunities, and they squandered them.”
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.
“You’ve already gone there (and) won twice, you didn’t think you would ever have to go there and win three times,” Lowery explained.
“And I don’t want to use the word dread but whatever is a little bit lower than dread, is how I imagine that’s what they’re feeling.
“If I was on that team, I would be pissed off if I’ve 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.”
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 Illawarra’s only NBL title in 2001 thinks the Hawks have what it takes to win believing an offensive performance is due.
“I can see a defensive performance like that (in game five),” he said.
“But Illawarra Hawks, I’m waiting for that offensive explosion.
“Now Trey Kell is supposed to play, as long as Trey Kell doesn’t come back and try to do too much, I feel like the Hawks haven’t hit their straps offensively.
“So, I’m tipping a blowout win (for the Hawks) in game five, I’m thinking along the lines of 110 to 88.”
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.
