How to watch & talking points: Illawarra v Melbourne

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

illawarra hawks

melbourne united

NBL25 Championship Series opponents Illawarra and Melbourne clash for the first time since last season's epic decider.

Illawarra Hawks v Melbourne United
Wednesday, November 5, 7.30pm AEDT
WIN Entertainment Centre

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Talking points

Melbourne's response
‍It was the first taste of defeat for the ladder-leaders on Monday, when the Sydney Kings came to town and came away with an impressive win.

Dean Vickerman and his team doesn’t get long to sit on that loss, as they now need to head into the defending champions home and get back on track.

With a big Throwdown set for Saturday as well, could mental fatigue play a factor here?‍

Illawarra's ideal game
You couldn’t ask for a more perfect scenario for the Hawks this week, as they would be hungrier than ever to get a win after what happened in Adelaide.

Combining that with the last performance they had in front of their home fans, and it would be enough reasons to expect a big result in this game.

However, they are welcoming in their championship series rival as well, who just experienced their first loss and this game looks primed for a Hawks boilover.

What they're saying

Hawks coach Justin Tatum on his team's looming response:
"The guys understand that they feel really embarrassed [about the performance against the Breakers], not just for the organisation, but for the fans in general and themselves.

"That's why you've seen a totally different team against Adelaide, where you know the ball could have gone any way, we could have had it, but now we just wanna build off that passion, that understanding to get back to Hawks basketball.

"We owe that to the fans."

United coach Dean Vickerman on his team's match-up with three-time NBA champion JaVale McGee:
“McGee’s a different animal, there’s not anything like him in the league.

“First time up against him, (it will be interesting to see) how we deal with a mobile seven-footer who’s super long. We’re looking forward to the challenge.”