Tip-off: Sunday, November 20, 2011, 7.30pm (local), WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong

TV: ONE, 10.30pm (all markets)

Last time they met: Perth 87 (Lisch 17, Robbins 16, Nevill 13) d Wollongong 71 (Campbell 13, Glover 13, Martin 13), Round 5 2011/12, Challenge Stadium, Perth

Testing times
The Wildcats knew times would be tough without Damian Martin, and they are now in the middle of a crucial stretch. After a Queensland road-double last week they play Melbourne and Wollongong in Round 7, knowing home-court advantage in the playoffs could slip away quickly if their form slips.

While it wasn’t pretty last Sunday night, Perth scraped out an important win over Cairns to stay equal first. They will be looking to dish out the same medicine in Wollongong, which has not been a happy hunting ground in recent years.

Wollongong revived their season with an inspirational 81-63 win in New Zealand, Rhys Martin again leading the way. A win over Perth will have the Hawks knocking on the door of the top four.

Inside or out?
It was no coincidence  Wollongong’s turnaround came with Larry Davidson back in the line-up. While he hasn’t put up big numbers this year, his versatility at both ends makes him an integral part of the Hawks’ system.

Davidson must be at his best against the two-headed monster of Luke Nevill and Matt Knight, who have averaged a combined 24.3 points and 11.7 rebounds in the past three outings. With the Hawks being out-rebounding by almost four a game, Davidson’s efforts will be crucial.

Oscar Forman and Joevan Catron nailed 4-of-5 three-pointers against New Zealand, and coach Gordie McLeod will be hoping for more of the same to spread the active Perth defence.

Showtime
Since Damian Martin was injured, opposition point guards have averaged 16.4 points at 53 per cent from the field against Perth.

In his first significant minutes in the iiNet NBL, new Hawks import Showron “Showtime” Glover showed the Wildcats a clean pair of heels, scoring 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting in just 21 minutes.

No question Perth coach Rob Beveridge will have been working on stopping guard penetration. With Wollongong leading the NBL in three-point shooting at 39 per cent, it takes on added importance at “The Sandpit”.

While Brad Robbins has found it hard to consistently apply his trademark defensive pressure with extended minutes, offensively he has stepped up to the plate.

After averaging just 5.4 points a game last season, the “Angry Ant” has contributed 12.3 points at 62 per cent, along with three assists a game in the past four outings. Coach Beveridge has craftily used him to post up lighter point guards, expect to see plenty of that again.

Turnovers
Wollongong’s 22 turnovers were a major factor in their Round 5 loss in Perth. Importantly, point guard Rhys Martin gave up just one, with Tyson Demos, Dave Gruber, Glen Saville and Catron the major culprits.

If the Hawks can limit these miscues it will allow their accurate shooting to pick the Wildcats apart. If not, things could get out of hand quickly. Perth have also had problems looking after the ball, coughing up 42 turnovers in two games last weekend.

A pressure team, the Wildcats won’t mind a few mistakes if the game is played at a fast tempo the Hawks aren’t comfortable with.

Should the Hawks successfully slow the game down, then Perth must efficiently create good shots through their half-court offence, something they haven’t done consistently since Damian Martin’s injury.

Prediction: Wildcats by 4