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Illawarra Hawks vs Brisbane Bullets NBL26 Round 4 Tips - Champs dodge a bullet for their first win

jeremy-darke
Jeremy Darke
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Last updated: Fri 10 Oct 2025 12:30

The Illawarra Hawks are set to face the Brisbane Bullets in Round 4 of NBL25. Both teams have been struggling with multiple losses. However, the Hawks are anticipated to secure their first win of the season, capitalizing on recent changes in the Bullets lineup due to Javon Freeman-Liberty’s departure. Both teams have offensive hurdles, yet the Hawks look promising, provided they can stabilize their lineup and rise above recent performance issues. The game is expected to remain under 180.5 total points, with key challenges for Tyrell Harrison against Javale McGee.

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Jeremy Darke 10 Oct 2025
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  • Illawarra Hawks vs Brisbane Bullets expert predictions for Saturday’s Round 4 NBL matchup
  • Tip-off is at 5:30 PM AEDT at WIN Entertainment Centre
  • Both teams are struggling with offensive issues; game likely under 180.5 points.
  • Key players missing for Bullets; Tyrell Harrison may struggle against Javale McGee.
Illawarra Hawks vs Brisbane Bullets NBL26 Round 4 Tips

Illawarra Hawks vs Brisbane Bullets NBL25 Round 4 Expert Tips


It has to come right? The reigning NBL Champs have to get their first win of the season against the Bullets otherwise it is crisis time. 

The Hawks have lost their first 3 games of the year and the Bullets have lost their last three as well, so something has to give. Look, Illawarra will settle, Justin Tatum has had his rant and now it is time to get it right on the court. 

The Bullets have lost a big piece of their puzzle in Javon Freeman-Liberty and that will hurt them until they can find someone to back up the scoring of Casey Prather and also help dictate their offence. Tyrell Harrison started the year well but dropped off against the JackJumpers failing to have the same impact against the Tasmanian bigs.

With the lineup hurdle in Brisbane and Harrison’s performance last time out I have warmed to the first win for the Illawarra Hawks. Both teams haven’t found their offence yet so I will be taking the under here.

Harrison will have literally his biggest challenge yet coming up against Javale Mcgee so also taking the under on his 10.5 rebound line. 

  • The Hawks won all three matches against Brisbane last season.  
  • The last 3 Brisbane Bullets games have gone under the 180.5 game total.
  • The Hawks have failed to score over 88 points in all three of their matches. 
  • Javale McGee averages 10 rebounds per game.

Head to Head 


NBL25 Match Results
DateHome TeamScoreLineTotal Points
20/01/2025ILLILL 121-87ILL -18.0O 199.5
27/12/2024BRIILL 102-84ILL -6.0U 207.5
27/09/2024ILLILL 113-101ILL -7.0O 183.5

Offensive & Defensive Stats
ILL OffRankStatRankBRI Def
856PPG687.3
44.54RPG341.5
43.6%5FG%948.1%
31.3%43P%125.3%
10.54TOV413.5

ILL DefRankStatRankBRI Off
91.58PPG487
436RPG936.5
44.7%6FG%346.6%
32.8%83P%630.0%
127TOV611.8

Illawarra Hawks Form & Team News


Classic Championship hangover or are the Hawks in real trouble after starting the season 0-3 and getting beaten bad by the winless NZ Breakers on Wednesday night in the Ignite Cup?

Illawarra were expected to notch their first win of the year against a New Zealand team that have also struggled to start the year, but it wasn’t the case with the Hawks offence, which was best in the NBL last season, failing to over 90 points once again, losing to the Breakers 117-88.

Beside Tyler Harvey and JaVale Mcgee the Hawks look flat and are really suffering without a true point guard with the departure of Trey Kell lll and Will Hickey out with an eye injury. Import Jaquori McLaughlin hasn’t sparked in the NBL and the Hawks need him to lift if they are going to get a different outcome.

Brisbane Bullets Form & Team News


After a win in the opener the Bullets have now suffered three straight losses, including blowing their home opener against Tasmania after heading into the fourth quarter with an 8-point lead. 

With no Casey Prather (late withdrawal) and Javon Freeman-Liberty in the lineup, the firing offence of the Bullets slowed dramatically in the final quarter and were unable to compete with fast finishing JackJumpers.

Freeman-Liberty has also played his last game for Brisbane with the exciting guard needing to return back home to the U.S for mental health reasons. This leaves a huge hole in the Brisbane backcourt with JFL starting the season as one of the most exciting players in the league averaging 19 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5 assists in his opening two games of the season.

Illawarra Hawks vs Brisbane Bullets Frequently Asked Questions

What time does Illawarra Hawks vs Brisbane Bullets start?

Tip-off between Illawarra Hawks vs Brisbane Bullets is at 5:30 PM AEDT, Saturday, October 11

What channel is Illawarra Hawks vs Brisbane Bullets on?

You can watch Illawarra Hawks vs Brisbane Bullets on ESPN via Kayo and Foxtel.

Verdict

The Hawks will get their first win and cover the 4.5 points as the home favourite. The game total is expected to stay under 180.5 and Tyrell Harrison will have his hands full with McGee and fail to collect over 10 rebounds in the match.
Best Bet1: Illawarra -4.5 Handicap/Line $1.92 at Elitebet - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Under 180.5 Game Total $1.91 at betr - 2 Units
Best Bet3: T. Harrison Under 10.5 Player Rebounds $1.75 at dabble - 2 Units
Illawarra -4.5
Handicap/Line
$1.92 - 3 Units
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Under 180.5
Game Total
$1.91 - 2 Units
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Player Rebounds
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Illawarra Hawks v Brisbane Bullets

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