- Monday 8
- Tuesday 9
- Wednesday 10
- Thursday 11
- Friday 12
- Saturday 13
- Sunday 14
- Monday 15
- Tuesday 16
- Wednesday 17
- Thursday 18
South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Illawarra Hawks NBL26 Round 5 Tips - Hawks finally rolling
The Illawarra Hawks are set to strengthen their position with a matchup against South East Melbourne Phoenix in NBL25 Round 5. After an emphatic win against the Bullets, the Hawks, driven by standout performances from Tyler Harvey and JaVale McGee, are poised to exploit Phoenix's current form and vulnerabilities, particularly in defence. The short turnaround for the Phoenix plays to the Hawks' advantage, as McGee targets overs on 22.5 points and 11.5 rebounds. This high-scoring game promises excitement with a likely Hawks win.
- South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Illawarra Hawks expert predictions for Saturday’s Round 5 NBL matchup
- Tip-off is at 8:00 PM AEDT at John Cain Arena
- JaVale McGee and Tyler Harvey in key roles to secure win.
- Expect a high-scoring game with Hawks as 1.5-point favourites.
South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Illawarra Hawks NBL26 Round 5 Tips
South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Illawarra Hawks NBL25 Round 5 Expert Tips
The Hawks will add to their single victory this season getting another against the Phoenix in Melbourne on Saturday taking advantage of the short turnaround for South East Melbourne.
- South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Illawarra Hawks NBL25 Round 5 Expert Tips
- Head to Head
- South East Melbourne Phoenix Form & Team News
- Illawarra Hawks Form & Team News
- South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Illawarra Hawks Frequently Asked Questions
The Hawks need momentum and they are coming up against a deflated Phoenix team that were put to bed in the first half against Adelaide on Thursday night. The Hawks did the same to Brisbane in their last showing and will want to start fast again against S.E.M and put doubt in their minds again.
This is set to be a high scoring contest with the Hawks defensive chemistry not quite there to start the season, allowing the most points of any team this season. However, their offence is lit with Tyler Harvey playing some of his best basketball in NBL26 and feeding the monster that is JaVale McGee, who is set for a day out against Jordan Hunter and the bigs of the Phoenix.
S.E.M have given up a lot of stats to opposing forwards this season so I am all about the overs for McGee in Melbourne. His totals are high at 22.5 points and 11.5 rebounds but they are makeable figures for McGee against one of the smaller teams in the NBL.
- Illawarra has won 2 of their last 3 matches against South East Melbourne last season.
- The last 5 matches between the Phoenix and Hawks have gone over the 181.5 point game total.
- Javale McGee averages 22.5 points per game in NBL26.
- South East Melbourne gives up the most rebounds to their opponents (47.0/G).
Head to Head
NBL25 Match Results
| Date | Home Team | Score | Line | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/03/2025 | ILL | ILL 126-96 | ILL -6.5 | O 197.5 |
| 02/03/2025 | SEM | SEM 101-94 | SEM +2.5 | U 196.5 |
| 28/02/2025 | ILL | ILL 101-94 | ILL -6.5 | U 197.0 |
| 31/12/2024 | ILL | SEM 110-105 | SEM +7.5 | O 202.5 |
| 30/11/2024 | SEM | SEM 103-100 | SEM +3.0 | O 178.5 |
| 26/10/2024 | SEM | ILL 88-82 | ILL -4.0 | U 181.0 |
Offensive & Defensive Rankings
| SEM Off | Rank | Stat | Rank | ILL Def |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94.7 | 2 | PPG | 10 | 97.3 |
| 42.7 | 5 | RPG | 3 | 40.3 |
| 40.5% | 9 | FG% | 7 | 45.8% |
| 35.0% | 2 | 3P% | 9 | 33.4% |
| 9.7 | 2 | TOV | 5 | 13.3 |
| SEM Def | Rank | Stat | Rank | ILL Off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 87 | 5 | PPG | 3 | 93.5 |
| 44.3 | 9 | RPG | 7 | 42 |
| 44.4% | 6 | FG% | 2 | 48.6% |
| 39.9% | 10 | 3P% | 4 | 32.7% |
| 19.3 | 1 | TOV | 8 | 14.5 |
South East Melbourne Phoenix Form & Team News
To be honest, I am not sure yet what South East Melbourne are in 2025 opening their season with a 2-2 record, so maybe they don’t know either.
Besides going big against the Taipans their offence has struggled and their figures are skewed because of the 114 points they put up in the opener. They average 88.5 points per game which is 5th-best in the NBL, however they haven’t reached that number in the last 3 games and only put up 71 against the 36ers in their 17-point loss last time they were out on the court.
Despite the Phoenix being ranked third in the NBL with a 32.8 3P% they rank last in the league in field goal percentage dropping just 38.6% of their shots.
Illawarra Hawks Form & Team News
The Champs sit on the bottom of the ladder heading into this matchup against the Phoenix after snagging their first win of the season just last game versus the Bullets taking them to 1-3 to start the year.
The Hawks certainly did it in emphatic fashion though scoring 68 points in the first half, leading by 21 points, showing no signs of being winless prior to their trip to Brisbane. The question remains if that performance was a page turned or if it had more to do with the state of the Bullets at that time.
One thing the Hawks can count on though is their leader Tyler Harvey doing all he can to lift them out of their rut. Harvey has started the year as good as I have seen, averaging 20.5 points, 6 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 2 steals. JaVale McGee has also balled out in his first year in the NBL with 22.5 points and 10.5 rebounds.
South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Illawarra Hawks Frequently Asked Questions
What time does South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Illawarra Hawks start?
Tip-off between South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Illawarra Hawks is at 8:00 PM AEDT, Saturday, October 18
What channel is South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Illawarra Hawks on?
You can watch South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Illawarra Hawks on ESPN via Kayo and Foxtel.
Verdict
A huge game from JaVale McGee going over his 22.5-points total and 11.5 rebound total will aid in the Hawks covering as 1.5-point favourites and push this over the game total of 181.5.
Illawarra -1.5
Handicap/Line
$1.91 - 3 Units
Pandabet
It's Black & White
The Pandabet.com.au code is BETSAUS. 18+. T&Cs apply.
Over 181.5
Game Total
$1.91 - 2 Units
Same Game & Race Multis
Use affiliate code BETSAU
Exciting new betting app now live. Use code BETSAU on sign-up. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. Imagine what you could be buying instead.
J. McGee Over 22.5
Player Points
$1.92 - 2 Units
The GOAT.
Ahead of the Game.
Join Australia's newest online bookmaker with code BETSAU and enjoy exciting new ways to bet. The app is among the fastest in the market. What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit.
J.McGee Over 11.5
Player Rebounds
$1.91 - 2 Units
Download the dabble app
with referral code BETSAU
Download the dabble app, enter referral code BETSAU to enjoy Dabble, the betting app with a difference! Bet as normal with & also be part of Australia's betting community where you can follow punters and sports stars, copy their bets, have banter with your mates & watch Sky Racing channels. 18+. T&Cs apply. What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit.
Related
Top Betting Sites
Betting offers
Upcoming Events
08 June 2026
- Canterbury - June 8 -
- Horse Racing
- Collingwood Magpies vs Melbourne Demons -
- AFL
- Canterbury Bulldogs vs Parramatta Eels -
- Rugby League
11 June 2026
- FIFA World Cup 2026 -
- Soccer
- France World Cup 2026 Preview & Predictions - Tips, Starting XI & Best Bets
- Brazil World Cup 2026 Preview & Predictions - Tips, Starting XI & Best Bets
- England World Cup 2026 Preview & Predictions: Tips, Starting XI & Best Bets
- Spain World Cup 2026 Preview & Predictions: Tips, Starting XI & Best Bets
- FIFA World Cup 2026 Promos - Special Offers & Markets
- FIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Glove Tips & Predictions - Simon & Maignon leading contenders; Galindez dark horse
- Socceroos World Cup 2026 Futures Tips & Predictions - Best Bets for Australia's World Cup campaign
- FIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Boot Winner Tips & Predictions - Best bets for top goalscorer
- FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Winner Odds - Who will win each group?
- FIFA World Cup 2026 Winner Odds - Who will win the World Cup?
- FIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Boot Odds - Who will win the Golden Boot at the World Cup?
13 June 2026
- Stradbroke Handicap -
- Horse Racing
- JJ Atkins -
- Horse Racing
Load More
