Ignite Cup: Run to the Final (Round 15, NBL26)

Two more teams have been eliminated from the Ignite Cup and with just five games remaining, the countdown to the Gold Coast heats up.

The Illawarra Hawks pulled out a big win over Tasmania on Wednesday night and it was a result that was enough to eliminate both from contention for the $400,000 prize pool.

Led by Tyler Harvey and JaVale McGee, the Hawks did enough to hold on and weather the storm from a JackJumpers comeback attempt and inch closer up the standings in the regular season.

In the second Ignite Cup game on Wednesday, the South East Melbourne Phoenix brushed off a slow start to win the last three quarters over Cairns and claim six of the seven maximum points.

The Phoenix now have a total of 7.5 points through two games and are still in the hunt to make it to the inaugural final on the Gold Coast, February 22.

Both Melbourne teams, as well as the Brisbane Bullets, will feature twice in the remaining Ignite Cup fixtures.

The New Zealand Breakers and Adelaide 36ers currently hold the top two spots on the standings and will play the Phoenix and Bullets respectively in an effort to book their place in the final.

Fans can now secure tickets for the Final that will be played at the Gold Coast Entertainment Centre on February 22, where one team will win $300,000 and the runner-up awarded $100,000.

It is the largest prize pool in NBL history.

Teams remaining: Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, New Zealand, Perth, South East Melbourne.
Teams eliminated: Cairns, Illawarra, Sydney, Tasmania.

Just five games remain during the inaugural NBL Ignite Cup, including:

Melbourne United v Cairns Taipans - Wednesday, January 7, 7.30pm AEDT - Red Energy Arena (Bendigo)
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Melbourne United v Brisbane Bullets - Wednesday, January 21, 5.30pm AEDT - Red Energy Arena (Bendigo)
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

South East Melbourne Phoenix v New Zealand Breakers - Wednesday, January 21, 7.30pm AEDT - State Basketball Centre
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Brisbane Bullets v Adelaide 36ers - Wednesday, January 28, 7.30pm AEDT - Gold Coast Sport and Leisure Centre
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Perth Wildcats v South East Melbourne Phoenix - Wednesday, January 28, 9.30pm AEDT - RAC Arena
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre