NBL Preview: New Zealand Breakers vs Illawarra Hawks

Tip-off: 5:00pm NZST, 3:00pm AEDT

Venue: Vector Arena

Last meeting: Breakers 69-87 Hawks

Last 5 Meetings: Hawks 3-2 Breakers

Betting: Breakers $1.65, Hawks $2.20

The New Zealand Breakers will be looking for redemption against the Illawarra Hawks in the last game of the NBL Heritage Round this week at The Vector Centre. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3:00pm (AEDT).

The Hawks are fresh off a comfortable 87-69 victory over the Breakers on Thursday night and were once again lead by Kevin Lisch and Kirk Penney. Lisch flirted with a double-double, scoring 16 points and grabbing 8 rebounds but it was Penney who once again stole the show for the Hawks. He scored 28 points including five three pointers from only ten attempts. In just the past three games, Penney has made 14 of his 23 attempted three's, good for a 61% from deep.

The Breakers meanwhile will be relying on league leading scorer Corey Webster, who has been averaging 24.4 points over the past five games, including a huge 38 point effort against the Sydney Kings in round 12.

They will also be looking for Cedric Jackson to continue attacking the basket and drawing fouls, ranking fourth in total free throws attempted this season. This will be key to which team takes away the win with Andrew Ogilvy and Oscar Forman both inside the top six for total fouls for the season. If the Breakers can take Ogilvy out of the game, they take away one of the most dangerous pick and roll combinations in the NBL.

Last time out, the Hawks bench outscored the Breakers' 26-14 with Rhys Martin contributing 13 points. While Ogilvy had an uncharacteristically low scoring game, it was a well-rounded team performance by the Hawks who had four players score in double figures.

The Breakers have only lost two games at the Vector Centre this season and will have the advantage playing on their home court but if Kirk Penney and Kevin Lisch continue their scoring form then the Hawks could be the third team to win across the Tasman.

Following the dominant performance on Thursday night, it is hard to argue that the Hawks will suffer a significant drop off in their production simply playing away from home. While both teams will be coming off a three day turnaround, the Breakers will need their bench to help Corey Webster in scoring if they're to have a fighting chance.

The Hawks can expect Andrew Ogilvy to return to his normal production and, while they won't win comfortably, it can be expected they'll take away the victory from the Vector Centre.

Will the Breakers cause an upset to end NBL Heritage Round or will the Hawks prove to be too strong?

Join The Roar Sunday afternoon at 3:00pm for live scores and debate in our live blog.