New Zealand Breakers vs Illawarra Hawks Tips & Live Stream - Breakers to start NBL with Round 1 win
The New Zealand Breakers look to start the new NBL season strong, aiming for their fifth consecutive victory against the Illawarra Hawks. The Breakers are riding a three-game pre-season winning streak and historically score well, while Illawarra has strengthened its roster but struggled in recent head-to-heads. With the Breakers missing Josiah-Jordan James due to injury, players like Kouat Noi (tipped for 3+ three-pointers) will be key. Back New Zealand at home for another win.
- Breakers seek 5th straight win vs Illawarra Hawks
- Breakers have 3-game pre-season win streak; key player Josiah-Jordan James out
- Kouat Noi tipped for 3+ three-pointers; Hawks field new recruits
New Zealand Breakers v Illawarra Hawks Live StreamWatch live online at bet365 > Basketball > Australia NBL. T&Cs apply.
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- New Zealand Breakers vs Illawarra Hawks Verdict
- Key Stats
- Head to Head
- New Zealand Breakers Form
- Illawarra Hawks Form
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.
Verdict
Back New Zealand to continue their strong form with a home win, while Kouat Noi is tipped to make 3+ three-pointers.
Ryan is an Australian sports content writer, producing insights and analysis for NRL, AFL and Basketball. He is also our YouTube host and presenter, can be found on Bets.com.au and is also a co-founder of The Sport Cap and The Basketball Fix.
From humble beginnings in Western Sydney growing up playing and refereeing Rugby League to running European wide Australian Rules Football tournaments there is a mountain of experience in between.
Multiple trips to North America has also deepened the love for the four major US sports and a continuing dream to catch as much live action as possible.
Stats and data analysis has now outgrown the hobby tag and the countless models and simulations are now being put to good use writing previews and predictions for NRL.
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