New Zealand Breakers vs Illawarra Hawks Verdict
The New Zealand Breakers can kick off the new NBL season by recording a fifth straight win over Illawarra Hawks. Kouat Noi is also backed for 3+ three-pointers.
Key Stats
- New Zealand have won their past four games against Illawarra.
- The Breakers enter Round 1 on a three-game pre-season winning streak.
- New Zealand have scored 80+ points in each of their past 10 games.
- Kouat Noi made two threes in just four minutes in his only NBL Blitz appearance.
- New Zealand Breakers vs Illawarra Hawks Head to Head
Head to Head
Illawarra hold a narrow 42-41 advantage across 83 meetings since 2003/04, but New Zealand have dominated the recent matchup.
The Breakers won all four meetings last season, including a 106-95 victory in their most recent clash in February.
New Zealand Breakers Form
New Zealand recovered from a 95-74 Blitz loss to Sydney by beating Tasmania 96-86, before recording consecutive pre-season victories over South East Melbourne (103-100) and Melbourne United (90-86).
Sam Mennenga scored 26 points in the win over United, but the Breakers will be without import Josiah-Jordan James for Round 1 after he suffered a torn hamstring in that game. He is expected to miss at least four to six weeks.
Illawarra Hawks Form
Illawarra split their two games at the NBL Blitz, edging Adelaide 100-99 before falling 103-98 to Melbourne United.
The Hawks retain Tyler Harvey, Will Hickey and Sam Froling while adding Milton Doyle, Darius Days and Kelan Martin to Justin Tatum's roster. Harvey also showed encouraging pre-season form, hitting six three-pointers in Illawarra's 95-78 win over Saint Mary's in August.