Round 6 in the NBL27 season continues on Thursday night with a Freeway Series clash between the Illawarra Hawks and the Sydney Kings. Both clubs are coming off strong last start wins, although it's the Kings who have been the much more consistent team so far this campaign and who will start as clear favourites.
Check out our free preview for the Hawks vs Kings and our NBL best bets below!
Illawarra Hawks vs Sydney Kings Prediction and Betting Tips: NBL27 Round 6
NBL27 – Round 6
Illawarra Hawks vs Sydney Kings
Thursday, October 22 | 7:30pm AEDT
WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
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Hawks Win
$2.80
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Line
+6.0
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Kings Win
$1.44
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Total Points Line: 196.5
Illawarra Hawks Searching for Consistency
Illawarra gave themselves something to build on with Sunday's 91-89 win over Melbourne. Makur Maker scored an NBL career-high 23 points, including the crucial late three-pointer, while Milton Doyle added 16 points and seven assists. The Hawks also forced 18 turnovers, showing the defensive effort needed to improve on their 2-6 record.
The challenge is backing it up. Justin Tatum still appears to be working out his best combinations, with Maker's arrival giving him another option inside. There is enough individual talent, but finding the right balance between shooting, size and defensive pressure remains a work in progress.
Even Sunday's win exposed familiar problems. Melbourne grabbed 19 offensive rebounds and erased a 16-point deficit, briefly taking the lead late in the fourth quarter. Illawarra cannot keep giving opponents extra possessions, particularly against a Sydney side that dominated the boards in their first meeting.
Sydney Kings Finding Support Around Davis
Sydney responded to consecutive defeats with a 102-81 win over Perth, lifting their record to 4-2. Kendric Davis finished with 23 points and eight assists, while Torrey Craig added 26 points and 12 rebounds. The Wildcats were missing Kristian Doolittle and Jo Lual-Acuil Jr, but it was still an important response.
Just as encouraging is the contribution around them. Makuach Maluach scored 16 against Perth and has hit 15 of his 24 three-point attempts this season. Will Johnston added 17 points, providing valuable support while Matthew Dellavedova remains sidelined with a calf injury.
Thursday brings their first away fixture after six designated home games, including Canberra. They beat Illawarra 121-100 in the first meeting, collecting 16 offensive rebounds as Davis scored 31. Maker gives the Hawks more size inside this time, but Xavier Cooks, Andrew Carr and Craig should still make rebounding a demanding assignment.
Hawks vs Kings Betting Tips
The matchup gives Sydney a few advantages that I'm happy to back at -6.0. Illawarra's rebounding remains vulnerable, while Maluach's shooting and Craig's form make it difficult to send extra defenders at Davis without leaving someone dangerous open.
At the other end, the Hawks' spacing is a concern when their combinations lack enough shooting. I expect Sydney to make them work for baskets in the half-court, although the Kings must protect the ball to avoid feeding the transition opportunities Illawarra created against Melbourne.
The Hawks should be more competitive than they were in September, particularly at home with Maker contributing. However, one good win does not resolve their issues with balance and rebounding. Sydney have more dependable scoring options, and I'm backing them to win by more than six points.
Our NBL Best Bet
Sydney Kings -6.0
$1.87 (1 unit)
Hawks vs Kings Dabble Pick'Em
We've put together a 3-Leg Dabble Pick'Em for the Hawks vs Kings clash that you can follow via the link below! You can also learn more about Dabble's Pick'Em feature here.
Dabble Pick'Em
Hawks vs Kings – 3 Leg Pick'Em
| Player |
Selection |
| Torrey Craig |
Over 15.5 Points |
| Makur Maker |
Over 14.5 Points |
| Xavier Cooks |
Over 7.5 Rebounds |
Odds and markets quoted at time of writing and subject to change. 18+ Gamble Responsibly.
