“Don’t know who to trust”: Pressure peaks in the ’Gong

Thursday night's clash between the Illawarra Hawks and Brisbane Bullets looms as a crucial one for both teams.

Both have five wins to their names during the Hungry Jack's NBL26 season, seeing them sit eighth and ninth on the ladder, respectively.

With each defeat, both side's finals hopes gradually slip away.

But with a win, either team could move into within just one victory of a spot in the all important top six.

One former star who knows how important the Round 12 clash is, 2020 Sixth Man of the Year, Jason Cadee.

"They're two groups who haven't figured themselves out yet, I don't know who to trust," Cadee said on Thursday's NBL Now.

"It's a big game, because one team can get back on the winners' list which is something they both desperately need to do.

"Honestly, Justin Tatum will have that group fired up and they're going to come out ready to go ... if Illawarra do, I think they'll take care of it.

"But if they mess around in the first quarter, we could see Brisbane take over."

Thursday's fixture tips off at 7.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.