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The stage is set for an electrifying NBL25 Grand Final Series, with the two best teams ready to battle for the championship. Expect intensity, high-level execution, and a clash between elite talent as the Illawarra Hawks and Melbourne United go head-to-head for the title.
Game 1 tips off on Saturday, March 8, at the WIN Entertainment Centre, where the Hawks will look to capitalize on home-court advantage. They are coming off a dominant 126-96 victory over the Phoenix in Game 3, fuelled by lights-out shooting from Trey Kell and Todd Blanchfield. With momentum on their side and a deep, well-balanced squad, Illawarra will be tough to beat.
Melbourne United, however, proved their championship pedigree in their thrilling Game 3 win over Perth. Chris Goulding and Ian Clark combined for an unreal 68 points, knocking down 15 of 21 from beyond the arc at a scorching 71.4%. While that level of shooting may be tough to replicate, United’s defensive prowess under coach Dean Vickerman makes them a formidable challenge.
With both teams in top form, this Grand Final series is shaping up to be an absolute blockbuster!
Here is an Illawarra Hawks vs Melbourne United Prediction for Game 1 of the NBL25 Grand Final Series.
Be sure to check back before each NBL25 Match for NBL Previews, NBL Head to Head Predictions, NBL Tips, NBL Picks and NBL Predictions for matches of NBL Season 25.
Illawarra Hawks vs Melbourne United
Venue – WIN Entertainment Centre
Tip Off – 8pm EST
Season Record
| Team | W-L | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illawarra | 20-9 | 10-4 | 10-5 |
| Melbourne | 19-10 | 9-6 | 10-4 |
Season Scoring
| Team | PPG | Opp PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illawarra | 101.4 | 91.2 | 192.6 |
| Melbourne | 95.6 | 91.4 | 187 |
Quick Game Facts
- Home Court Advantage! The Illawarra Hawks have dominated at home in the finals, winning their last nine straight playoff games.
- Road Struggles! Melbourne United has dropped four of its last five away finals games—can they turn it around in the Grand Final?
- Three-Point Kings! Melbourne relies heavily on the deep ball, with 36.8% of their points this season coming from beyond the arc—the highest in the league!
- Todd Blanchfield caught fire in Game 3 vs. SEM, dropping 28 points—his highest total since 2021 (Round 18)!
- Trey Kelll has been a rebounding machine, grabbing 7 boards per game over his last four outings.
- Chris Goulding = Unlimited Range! He was 22/43 from three against the Wildcats—expect him to let it fly again!
Prediction
Melbourne survived a Game 3 thriller, but maintaining their red-hot three-point shooting isn’t sustainable. Chris Goulding will get his looks from deep, but United will need him to stay efficient to have a real shot in this one.
The Illawarra Hawks boast a well-rounded squad with strong defensive stoppers who can cause plenty of headaches for United. Expect a defensive battle and a potentially lower-scoring contest, with the Hawks likely coming out on top.