“I’m expecting this to go the distance” : Hooley gives tip for NBL Championship series

The NBL Championship series is upon us with the Illawarra Hawks and Melbourne United set to face off in a best of five series for NBL supremacy.

It will be a 1st vs 2nd clash in the championship for the second time within the space of three years with the Hawks having home advantage in the series.

Speaking on SEN Sportsday, NBL expert commentator Pete Hooley gave his tip for the championship series believing that Illawarra will win.

“I’m expecting this to go the distance,” Hooley said

“I’ve always said all year long, especially in basketball, your superstars will get you to this point and get you to a championship series but it’s your role players and your bench who are going to get you these wins in the five-game series.

“I think the Hawks bench just has this depth and character to it.”

However, Hooley believes that United will force the Hawks all the way to a deciding fifth game.

“It probably carries you a bit further than Melbourne’s in terms of scoring the ball and being able to provide those sparks but what Melbourne has is got veteran presence, they’ve got guys that have done it on the biggest stage numerous times," he said.

“So, it’s that experience vs inexperience and youth but then you’ve got this vibe of the Hawks and this culture that’s just been running deep all year verses a Melbourne team that get up there and get up and in.”

In their previous three games they have played this season, Illawarra has the head-to-head record with 2-1.

But each side has beaten each other on their home court which means both sides will be confident they can win away from home.

If Illawarra are to win the best of five series, it will be their first NBL championship since 2001 and their second title in history.

For United, this would be their third title since they changed their name from the Tigers back in 2014 and would be their seventh in the team’s history.

Game One will take place on Saturday when The Illawarra Hawks will host Melbourne United at the WIN Sports and Entertainment Centre in Wollongong at 8pm.