NBL27 Round 7 Game Preview | Wildcats vs Hawks

The Perth Wildcats will chase their sixth win of the season when they host the Illawarra Hawks in The Jungle for Halloween, Saturday 31 October. Dress up in your spookiest fit!

The Wildcats currently sit third on the NBL ladder at 5-3, with another opportunity to build on five wins from seven appearances in front of the Red Army this season.

Wildcats guard Jaron Rillie said the Hawks’ 2-8 record wouldn't change the challenge facing Perth.

“Obviously they’re a very dangerous team and they haven’t put it together just yet,” Rillie said.

“It’s still early in the season, so they have plenty of time.”

Illawarra’s championship experience and offensive talent make it a team the Wildcats will need to contain from the opening possession.

“They have guys that have won championships,” Rillie said.

“It’s not like you can walk into any game against any team, let alone them, and think it’s an automatic win.”

A strong start will be a focus for Perth after a strong second-half response against Sydney on Wednesday night.

The Wildcats fought back from 25 points down to get within four in the final quarter, winning both quarters after halftime to collect two Ignite Cup ladder points in the 99-91 loss.

Rillie said the fight had given Perth chances, with the next step bringing that level from the outset.

“We were able to give ourselves some chances, but dug ourselves a hole and with that hole we kind of had to play perfect, which obviously is pretty hard to do against a pretty good team like that,” he said.

“All you can do at that point is fight. We fought, we made it a game.”

Brandon Knight was instrumental, backing up his 20-point outing and winning basket against Melbourne United with a 27-point performance against the Kings, continuing to build his influence in the Wildcats’ backcourt.

Knight gives Perth another attacking option alongside Elijah Pepper, Dylan Windler and Kristian Doolittle, while Rillie said Knight had also made a strong impression away from the floor.

“He’s been really good since he’s got here,” Rillie said.

“He’s fitting really well with the group off the court. And then obviously on the court he’s starting to figure it out a little bit, which no one had any doubts he would.”

Knight’s experience has also made him a valuable resource for his fellow guards.

“He’s a good mentor to have around. He’s seen a lot of high-level basketball, been a part of a lot of high-level basketball,” Rillie said.

Illawarra travels west following a 98-81 loss to Brisbane, with its third-quarter response providing a reminder of how quickly it can build momentum.

The Hawks trailed by 20 at halftime before opening the third term with a 21-4 burst to cut the deficit to three. Todd Blanchfield finished with 19 points off the bench.

Illawarra has also shown it can win on the road against strong opposition, defeating Melbourne United 91-89 on 18 October.

Perth’s ability to disrupt the visitors’ ball movement will be important against a side averaging 95.2 points per game.

The Hawks recorded 33 assists in their 114-92 win over Adelaide, but managed 15 against Brisbane, giving the Wildcats an opportunity to apply pressure and limit the visitors’ offensive flow.

The contest on the glass presents another area for Perth to attack. Brisbane outrebounded Illawarra 53-31 last start, while the Hawks have been conceding 43 rebounds per game and collecting 37.6 themselves.

Controlling those possessions would help the Wildcats limit second chances and create more opportunities at the other end.

Perth can also look to put pressure on Illawarra’s defence by attacking the basket. The Hawks have been committing 20.3 fouls per game, with opponents averaging 25 free-throw attempts compared with their own 17.

Saturday marks the teams’ first meeting of NBL27, with Perth looking to set the tone against an Illawarra side beginning a five-game road trip. Tip-off 6:30pm.