Sunday brings NBL action in Round 1 of the NBL27 season, with the New Zealand Breakers hosting the Illawarra Hawks at Spark Arena.
The Breakers head into NBL27 with a new coach in Gordon Herbert, who brings plenty of international experience to New Zealand. Herbert coached Germany to the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup gold medal and now takes over a Breakers team that still features star guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright, along with a host of talented local players.
The Illawarra Hawks, meanwhile, will be looking to build on their recent success under coach Justin Tatum. The Hawks have added experienced NBL campaigner Milton Doyle to their roster this season, giving them another proven player who can contribute at both ends of the court.
With both teams entering the new season with some interesting changes, Round 1 at Spark Arena should provide an early indication of how the Breakers and Hawks are shaping up for NBL27.
New Zealand Breakers vs Illawarra Hawks
Venue – Spark Arena
Tip Off – 3pm EST
Pre-Season Blitz Record
| Team | W-L | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZ | 1-1 | ||
| Illawarra | 1-1 |
Pre-Season Blitz Scoring
| Team | PPG | Opp PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZ | 85 | 90.5 | 175.5 |
| Illawarra | 99 | 101 | 200 |
Quick Game Facts
- New Zealand have won their last 4 games vs the Hawks
Prediction
Bes sure to check back on gameday for a prediction of this match.