"Line in the sand": Reigning champs' moment of truth

Illawarra's title defence hasn't gone according to plan.

After seven rounds of the Hungry Jack's NBL26 season, the Hawks sit in last place with a 2-6 record.

But with championship star Will Hickey now back in the fold after an eye injury, 2020 NBL Sixth Man of the Year Jason Cadee has called Wednesday's game with Melbourne a "line in the sand moment" for the foundation club.

"Sunday's performance was far better, but what are we going to get tonight against the team who's coming off a loss and who is easily the best team in the competition?" Cadee said on Wednesday's episode of NBL Now.

"We are past the point with Illawarra where it can be ‘they played better and 'they tried hard’.

"You could even sense it in Justin Tatum and his emotions with the Adelaide game, he knows where it's at. It didn't equate to a win on Sunday, so this now feels like a line in the sand moment, but we'll really see tonight."

A big factor in who will prevail in the NBL25 Championship Series rematch will be who wins the duel between arguably the competition's top centres, JaVale McGee and Edwards.

To date, three-time NBA champion McGee is averaging 20.8 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2 blocks, while Dutch international Edwards is putting up 13.8 points, 8.3 boards and 1.4 blocks per contest.

"They're probably two of the bigs that have length and size, that is true NBA length," Cadee said.

"To see them go against each other, I think is going to be great."

Wednesday night's Ignite Cup game tips off at 7.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.