Illawarra Hawks vs Sydney Kings NBL Round 9 Game Preview

Tip off is at 8:00 pm AEDT on Saturday 16th November

Illawarra Hawks vs Sydney Kings Expert Analysis

The high-scoring Illawarra Hawks take on the league-leading defense of the Sydney Kings in what promises to be a compelling clash of styles. Illawarra’s home-court advantage and impressive scoring form have them primed to push the Kings, who have shown recent struggles on the road. Here’s how the matchup could unfold and why the Hawks might just pull off the upset.

Team Matchups and Analysis

• Illawarra’s Offense vs. Sydney’s Defense: Illawarra ranks 1st in points per game (96.6) and field goal percentage (49.1%)—they’re efficient and quick to find the basket. At home, they’ve scored over 100 points in three of their four games, often covering the line when favored.

  
  

  Tyler Harvey, Trey Kell, and Darius Days have been instrumental in pushing their offense, with their bench providing valuable depth. In their previous meeting with Sydney, they managed to control the tempo, shooting efficiently and securing a win.

  
  

  On the other hand, Sydney’s top-ranked defense has been its hallmark this season, limiting opponents to just 82.3 points per game and restricting their field goal and three-point shooting percentages to league lows. However, they’ve recently faltered on the road, dropping three of their last four away games, where their scoring average dips to 81.5 points per game.

  
  

• Inside Game and Second Unit Contributions: Sydney's strong interior play, led by Jaylen Adams and Xavier Cooks, should allow them to get high-percentage looks near the rim, an area where they thrived in their last loss to Illawarra.

  
  

  But Illawarra’s three-point prowess and depth from the bench could swing the momentum, especially if Will Hickey and other reserves step up. Hickey’s recent scoring pattern suggests he’s due for a double-digit outing, which could boost Illawarra’s rotation and help them keep up with Sydney’s physical play.

  
  

Key Stats Illawarra Hawks vs Sydney Kings

• Sydney Kings: First in team rebounds (44.1) and defensive rankings across shooting categories. However, they have been inconsistent on offense, averaging 87.2 points per game and often struggling to reach the 90-point mark.

  
  

• Illawarra Hawks: Second in bench points (29.2 per game) and top-ranked in offense with the fewest turnovers (9.2 per game). Despite recent losses, their scoring efficiency and shot selection give them an advantage when playing in front of a home crowd.

  
  

Why Illawarra Wins

The Hawks have proven they can score against Sydney’s defense, as seen in their Round 2 win. With Sydney’s road woes continuing, Illawarra’s offensive depth and efficiency could give them the edge, particularly if their bench players step up. The home crowd and familiarity with WIN Entertainment Centre could also provide a boost, as the Hawks look to hit triple digits once again.

Why Sydney Wins

Sydney’s defensive depth and the offensive leadership of Adams and Cooks make them a tough matchup for anyone. If they control the boards and lock down Illawarra’s perimeter shooters, they could limit the Hawks' high-powered offense. Their road issues aside, Sydney has one of the most talented rosters in the NBL, and a win here would be a statement.

Conclusion

In a battle of the NBL’s best offense against its best defense, Illawarra’s firepower and Sydney’s defensive tenacity will go head-to-head. Given the Kings’ recent struggles on the road and Illawarra’s high-scoring tendencies at home, the Hawks could have the edge. Look for Illawarra to pull off the win in a close one, with Hickey contributing at least 10 points.