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Melbourne United vs Illawarra Hawks NBL26 Round 13 Tips - Points on Offer in Melbourne
The NBL25 Round 13 game between Melbourne United and Illawarra Hawks is highly anticipated due to their head-to-head history and recent performance trends. Melbourne United, historically strong but currently on a losing streak, faces a Hawks team that's erratic yet capable of high scoring. Despite Melbourne's defensive struggles, experts predict they will win at home. It's expected to be a high-scoring match, with Javale McGee poised to secure 25+ points and Chris Goulding likely to hit 3+ three-pointers.
- Melbourne United vs Illawarra Hawks expert predictions for Thursday’s Round 13 NBL matchup
- Tip-off is at 7:30 PM AEDT at John Cain Arena
- Melbourne United expected to win at home despite recent form.
- Game predicted to be high-scoring; look out for Javale McGee and Chris Goulding.
- Key matchup highlights Melbourne's defensive struggles against Hawks' varied scoring.
Melbourne United vs Illawarra Hawks NBL26 Round 13 Tips
Melbourne United vs Illawarra Hawks NBL25 Round 13 Expert Tips
This is a very difficult game to handicap and I'll tell you why.
- Melbourne United vs Illawarra Hawks NBL25 Round 13 Expert Tips
- Head to Head
- Last 5 Match Results
- Offensive & Defensive Rankings
- Melbourne United Form & Team News
- Illawarra Hawks Form & Team News
- Melbourne United vs Illawarra Hawks Frequently Asked Questions
Up until the international break, Melbourne were the benchmark of the league. They had a 13-2 record and were rarely phased by opponents even when productivity wavered. Following the break though, it is a completely different story. They have the league’s worst defence and are scoring at the 6th highest rate.
Illawarra have been inconsistent all season long. If their shooting is on, there is every chance they score 100+ points and can beat any team in the league. If they are cold, good luck reaching 80 and they probably are blown out by 20.
Now add in that this is the 3rd rematch from last year’s Grand Final Series. The ledger stands at 1-1 with United picking up the most recent victory back in November.
So the question is, where does that leave us here? Do we ignore Melbourne’s run of poor form and put it down to temporary troubles and count on their coaching staff and veteran squad to turn it around, like they have always done?
Or do we think that the defensive problems persist and allow the Hawks open shooting options. They are last in the league over the last 4 games in opposition points and opposition 3pt%.
Despite being a loyal Hawks fan, I have to side with Melbourne in this one. Even if their perimeter defence is lacking, Illawarra attempt the fewest 3 pointers of any team in the league.
Take Melbourne to win and cover at home with the Game Total going Over. Javale McGee to grab 25+ pts and Chris Goulding to hit 3+ three pointers.
- Despite Melbourne’s run of poor form they are still the 2nd best team on home court.
- Illawarra are the 10th ranked defence on the season, Melbourne are the 10th ranked defence over the past 4 games. Expect points.
- Javale McGee has scored 37 and 28 in his two matchups against Melbourne.
- Chris Goulding has hit 4+ three pointers in 7 of his last 8 matchups against Illawarra at John Cain Arena.
Head to Head
Last 5 Match Results
| Date | Home Team | Score | Line | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21/11/2025 | ILL | MEL 105-102 | ILL +5.0 | O 187.0 |
| 05/11/2025 | ILL | ILL 107-93 | ILL +5.5 | O 186.0 |
| 23/03/2025 | ILL | ILL 114-104 | ILL -3.0 | O 181.5 |
| 19/03/2025 | MEL | ILL 80-71 | ILL +4.0 | U 188.0 |
| 16/03/2025 | ILL | MEL 83-77 | MEL +6.5 | U 195.0 |
Offensive & Defensive Rankings
| MEL Off | Rank | Stat | Rank | ILL Def |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95.8 | 2 | PPG | 10 | 96.9 |
| 43.6 | 4 | RPG | 7 | 42.5 |
| 45.2% | 4 | FG% | 2 | 43.3% |
| 31.4% | 7 | 3P% | 9 | 33.6% |
| 12.4 | 6 | TOV | 7 | 10.7 |
| MEL Def | Rank | Stat | Rank | ILL Off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 89.5 | 7 | PPG | 5 | 90.3 |
| 40.4 | 1 | RPG | 1 | 45.1 |
| 44.4% | 5 | FG% | 1 | 46.4% |
| 38.1% | 10 | 3P% | 5 | 31.5% |
| 14.1 | 2 | TOV | 10 | 15.3 |
Melbourne United Form & Team News
Melbourne are on a 4 game skid in one of their most intensive parts of the schedule. United were a league leading 13-2 heading into the international break, coming off a good win at home against the Wildcats.
Losses then racked up against Perth, Phoenix and 36ers in 3 straight road games before their last start loss to the Kings back on home court 92-86. They are 6th in scoring over that 4 game stretch with the 8th ranked 3pt% while giving up 103.3 pts per game to opponents, the worst in the league.
They have another double game matchup this week before a brief reprieve of single game weeks in Rounds 13 and 14.
Illawarra Hawks Form & Team News
What is there to say about Illawarra, come out of the International break and beat the Phoenix, scoring 113 points. Then go out and get bashed by Cairns 2 days later reaching only 76 pts. Then they back it up last week with a 100-85 victory over the Bullets.
The epitome of inconsistency and now they will play their first road game since 19th November, hopeful that the event of a Grand Final Series rematch will awaken the spirits.
The Hawks are still top 4 in scoring since the break despite the poor showing to Cairns but their defence stinks. They are allowing 95.7 per game to opponents, only one team worse during the stretch - Melbourne United.
Melbourne United vs Illawarra Hawks Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Melbourne United vs Illawarra Hawks start?
Tip-off between Melbourne United vs Illawarra Hawks is at 7:30 PM AEDT, Thursday, December 18
What channel is Melbourne United vs Illawarra Hawks on?
You can watch Melbourne United vs Illawarra Hawks on ESPN via Kayo and Foxtel.
Verdict
Take Melbourne to win and cover at home with the Game Total going Over. Javale McGee to grab 25+ pts and Chris Goulding to hit 3+ three pointers.
Melbourne -5.5
Line
$1.90 - 2 Units
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Over 189.5
Game Total
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J McGee 25+
Points
$2.10 - 1 Unit
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C Goulding 3+
Threes made
$1.74 - 1 Unit
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