This preview has expired.

See all our latest betting tips or suggested betting sites

Melbourne United vs Illawarra Hawks Game 3 Live Stream & Tips - Hawks to take United to the limit

Jeremy Darke

Editor

Last updated: 12 Mar 2024

Jeremy Darke 12 Mar 2024

Share this article

Melbourne United at Illawarra Hawks Tips
Third game of the series to continue trend of overtime in the first two
Lean towards the Hawks to cover the 7.5-point line

Expired

Unlikely hero William Hickey made the game tying lay-up to send game 2 to overtime. (Getty Images)

Melbourne United vs Illawarra Hawks Game 3 Preview

A 7.5-point line in favour of Melbourne for the third and deciding game against Illawarra is too appealing to knock back after two overtime games opening the series.

Melbourne United vs Illawarra Hawks Game 3 Preview
Head to Head
Melbourne United Form & Team News
Illawarra Hawks Form & Team News

Illawarra have put in two huge performances in the first couple of games in this series and there is nothing to say that they are not going to do it again in game 3.

Considering they had a 16-point lead in game one at John Cain Arena, I am quite surprised that the line is all the way out to 7.5 for game 3.

Melbourne are under fire and all the pressure is on them to win this game after being runaway minor premiers this season. Pushing United to game 3 would be a huge success already for the Hawks, who were on the bottom of the ladder halfway through the season, but they will certainly not be satisfied themselves knowing they have what it takes to beat the favourites for the NBL24 title.

Gary Clark and Sam Froling have the combination to at least keep this game close for Illawarra so I see them at least covering the 7.5 points as the dog. Both of these games have finished regulation well above the 18+.5 game total set, so it is simple to expect another Over hitting in game 3.

Head to Head

2023/24 Match Results

Mar 10, 2024: (F) Illawarra 113-108 Melbourne (OT)

Mar 07, 2024: (F) Melbourne 115-106 Illawarra (OT)

Feb 18, 2024: Melbourne 92-87 Illawarra

Oct 29, 2023: Melbourne 96-84 Illawarra

Oct 20, 2023: Illawarra 91-101 Melbourne

2022/23 Season Series

Melbourne won the series 2-1.

Melbourne United Form & Team News

Melbourne got out to the exact start that they wanted in game 2, leading 25.19 after the first quarter and had the Hawks on the ropes. However, they allowed Illawarra back into the game as they began to stretch Melbourne’s defence with all of their starters finding their range from all over the court.

Matt Dellavedova had another huge game for United in their loss, scoring a team-high 20-points and 8 assists. Jo Lual-Acuil Jr was also big for United with 18 points and a team 7 rebounds, with Luke Travers also tallying 7 boards.

Dellavedova now has 50 points, 18 assists and 10 rebounds in the series.

Illawarra Hawks Form & Team News

The Hawks found their composure and put in a season-saving performance in the second quarter of game two, overcoming a 6-point deficit in the first to lead by one at the half.

The match the sway heavily in the third and fourth quarters and it was a last-second rebound and lay-up from Will Hickey that tied the game at 98-a-piece to send it to the second overtime period in as many games.

The Hawks then took control in the extra term outsourcing Melbourne 16-11 to get their revenge on their game one OT loss.

Hero Hickey had his best game for the Hawks hitting 7-11 from the field and 4-4 from the line. Gary Clark and Sam Froling where the damage doers again for the Hawks with Clark top-scoring with 31 points and a massive 16 rebounds while Froling dropped 19 points and 13 boards.

Verdict

Melbourne United v Illawarra Hawks

Illawarra will put up a fight against Melbourne and cover the 7.5-point line as underdogs. This series has been all about offence so the Over will hit for the third-straight game.

Illawarra +7.5

Handicap/Line

@10/11 - 2 Units

£30 Free Bet

Use promo code NEWBONUS

Claim £30 free bet & 20 Free Spins. Use the promo code NEWBONUS. New Hollywoodbets account holders. 18 years or older. United Kingdom residents only. T&Cs apply.

Bet at Hollywood bets

Over 180.5

Team Total

@10/11 - 3 Units

Bet £10 Get £30

with bonus code NEWBONUS

Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

Bet at bet365