Facing off against their grand final foes from last season might have been all the Illawarra Hawks needed to jump-start their NBL title defence.
Shrugging off a struggling start to their campaign, led by a stunning performance by three-time NBA champion JaVale McGee (37 points,14 rebounds), Illawarra stunned league leaders Melbourne United 107-93 at WIN Entertainment Centre on Wednesday night.
Five nights earlier, Illawarra suffered the worst home-court loss in their history – 102-60 at the hands of New Zealand Breakers – but they led from start to finish against United in easily their most impressive showing this season.
They showed signs of life in a 90-88 loss in Adelaide on Sunday but nothing to suggest the spectacular return to their championship-winning form against Melbourne, the team they defeated in the 2024-25 grand final series, for just their third win from nine games.
Unbeaten after last weekend, Melbourne (9-2) have now dropped two on the trot after falling 95-92 at home to Sydney Kings on Monday night.
McGee was virtually unstoppable inside, and he even hit a three-pointer for good measure.
The 213cm centre combined well with point guard Davo Hickey (18 points, seven assists, six rebounds). Four other Hawks – Tyler Harvey (17), Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (14), QJ Peterson (11) and Mason Peatling (10) – scored in double figures.
JUMP START
Quick scores by Davo Hickey and Tyler Harvey gave the Hawks a 5-0 lead in the opening minute and they stretched that to 32-22 by quarter-time, courtesy of JaVale McGee’s dominance inside.
Illawarra led by as many as 16 during the second quarter on their way to a 57-43 advantage at half-time. Five nights earlier, the Breakers held them to 60 points for the entire game but they passed that mark early in the third quarter.
BATTLE OF THE BIG MEN
It was a knock-out victory for McGee in the battle of the giants but Melbourne big man Jesse Edwards (19 points, six rebounds), gave as good as he got despite foul trouble.
McGee and Edwards went dunk for dunk during the second quarter, playing out their own game within the game in the paint.
McGee fired up the home crowd early on with a trademark tomahawk and continued to play above the rim, racking up 20 points by half-time and an NBL-high 37 by the end.
After picking up two early fouls and sitting out much of the first quarter, Edwards returned in the second period and, despite picking up his third foul, slammed in eight points from four throw-down dunks.
Edwards opened the third term with another dunk and a free throw but picked up his fourth foul at the 8:55 mark and had to take another seat. By the time he returned in the fourth quarter, the game was as good as over.
SETTLING IN
Hawks guard QJ Peterson hardly set the world on fire in his first two appearances as an import replacement for JaQuori McLaughlin.
Shooting a combined two of 15 (13%) from the field, Peterson scored a total of just seven points in losses to the Breakers (102-60) and 36ers (90-88) last Wednesday and Sunday.
But he hit his first shot against Melbourne, a three-pointer, then went six from six from the free-throw line to have nine by half-time, adding five rebounds, four assists and a steal.
Even after he air-balled from close range late in the second quarter, Peterson hustled back on defence and forced a jump-ball from a rebound contest with Melbourne centre Jesse Edwards.
Peterson finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
DOYLE DROUGHT BROKEN
Melbourne import Milton Doyle has had his scoring struggles in Wollongong of late.
Playing for Tasmania JackJumpers, Doyle had been held to single figures in his three previous games on the Hawks’ home court, including just one point on none-of-nine shooting on his most recent trip.
But the Chicago-born guard hit back with 16 points and 11 assists in his first game on the Hawks’ home court wearing Melbourne colours.
Originally published as McGee goes off as Hawks claim monster Melbourne Utd scalp
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