Should be an entertaining game, but one would think United would win as they have a lot to lose.

United by 3.

Preview: Melbourne commence playoff push with trip to Wollongong

Hawks have been due all season, they will get the upset at home tonight. United are a roster of great players, but when things don't go their way, they aren't a great team. Hawks grind it out, and if it get to the 4th and its close they will tip this week. Poor bastards are so due its criminal!

Hawks are well and truly due. Some bottom ranked teams are woeful and deserve to be there. The Hawks have had one shocker this season, but have been around the mark most games.

Kobe24 is right about United. They seem soft mentally. If the Hawks can put the pressure on a couple of United players and interrupt their rhythm, then I think the drought will break.

Everytime I tip a winner the other team wins so I am going to tip United. ;-)

United to win by 15

regret, unable to watch carson...i just get bored

The question is are the Hawks UNITED in the crusade against the Wildcats? :P

Wow ! Hawks are cranking it. United possibly playing worse offense then the Cats

The 36ers now have their destiny for the title in their own hands!!!! GO YOU GOOD THING!

I hope Hawks keep the core of this team together for next season. Maybe drop Neville and Carson and go for an import big like Dunnigan.

Is Kickert injured? How has he only played 7 minutes half way into the 4th?

Go you Hawks !!!

Yeah id say he is. Was playing when Hawks were pulling away, subbed out after committing a foul I think, hasn't come back. Im only going off live stats though.

Go you Hawkers!!!!

Kickert had issues with his back, he was subbed off early on then came back only to be taken off again later with the same issue

Yeah on Untied twitter had back issues. Not a great time of year to have that sort of thing. Hawks came out swinging either way, were so over due.

Yeah very bad for United especially with Walker out. Agreed on the Hawks. They have played well most the season and have been unlucky IMO. Good result for both the 36ers and Cats also

Woud have to be pretty bad back issue for him to not be able to go in such a huge game results wise for the season. If he misses the game in Melbourne and Hawks cruise again, thats just about the top 4 sorted.

Good when other results help the SIXERS, but control what you can control......we still have to keep winning! Go SIXERS!!!!!

Those crazy basketball gods are at it again. What an exciting season this has become. Much more fun than usual.

I'd be pretty worried if I was NZ and 36ers finish 4th

United without 2 key players wildcats fans just shows it's not just your own team that had injuries.

Wow - Hawks finally get the win they were overdue for!

Hot Hawks blitz woeful United

Well it's time for melbourne to blow up the roster

Perth lose to NZ

Check.

Melbourne lose to the Hawks

Check.

Adelaide defeats Townsville?

Tune in Sunday. Our destiny is in our own hands.

You know, but for a little more luck Wollongong could very well have been fighting for a playoff spot this season. They haven't been as bad as their record suggests.

Good game by Oscar tonight, 22 points @ 75% (9/12) and 3 rebounds. There seems to be life left in his old legs, its good to see. But speaking of old legs, does anyone else get the feeling that this might be Balls' last season? 10:27 on court tonight with 0 points (0/3) and only 1 rebound.

Yeah I think so, the last couple of games we played against them he also saw small minutes.

Hawks doing the Sixers a favour.

Get the impression out of Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne two limping to the line and one flying. Long way to go yet though!

HoldenV8, Balls needs to call it. Grab a fork and poke him. He's gone from medium-rare to well done very quickly

Yeah I think you're right Jack. Balls has had a good career but he just hasn't been the same since the night he did his ankle against the Tigers in 2010-11. He'll be 36 in June and going on this years form I wouldn't mind betting that this is his last year.

Wollongong would do well to get a decent centre next year (with Nevill as a back up if they keep him) and let Davidson play at PF. Personally I think Davidson plays out of position at centre, though he does ok.

Thanks Hawks!!!
:D

They looked like the Hawks of last season, impressive performance.

The Unitards truly suck. Terrible performance.

Doubt Hawks would keep Nevill.

+/- for those interested:

HOME TEAM
G. Ervin: 14
O. Forman: 12
L. Davidson: 19
R. Martin: 21
T. Coenraad: 17
L. Nevill: -4
J. Carson: -13
A. Ballinger: -1
B. Hill: -1
T. Demos: -5
K. Adnam: -4

ROAD TEAM
S. Dennis: -24
D. Kickert: -12
D. Barlow: -13
M. Worthington: -23
J. McRae: -9
A. MacMillan: 4
N. Tomlinson: 14
D. Corletto: 2
O. Odigie: 0
G. Page: 6

Yeah I doubt they will keep Nevill. And I can't see Balls being part of their 2015-16 squad so they will probably be in the market for a big man.

Melbourne had everything to play for last night and played like we did under Marty Clarke when trying to avoid the wooden spoon...i.e. crap.

The way things are looking right now, Adelaide actually might end up 3rd and it'll be a struggle between Perth and Melbourne for 4th.