DrinkWise game preview: Round 11 - Wildcats v Hawks

The Wildcats will be boosted by the return of speedy guard Tai Webster (hamstring) for the blockbuster battle, but centre Keanu Pinder (illness) remains sidelined.

Webster missed both of Perth’s impressive Round 10 victories over Brisbane and New Zealand respectively, with Pinder a late out for the Breakers game.

Wildcats coach John Rillie felt there was plenty of depth in the big man department, with Next Star Izan Almansa making the most of his two recent starting opportunities.

Almansa replaced Pinder in the starting five against the Breakers, amassing 17 points and eight rebounds.

“Izan’s (Next Star Izan Almansa) progress over the last few month has been tremendous and David Okwera's minutes have been very productive,” Rillie said.

Rillie expects the Hawks to be aggressive in keeping last week’s 59-point hero Bryce Cotton quiet after restricting him to an average of 13 points per game last season.

“Illawarra last year did a great job of putting two on the ball with him and being disruptive so that’s what we’re expecting,” he said.

“Just because a player outbursts for that amount of points, I don’t think anyone changes their philosophy if they think they’ve been successful.”

After back-to-back wins last week, Rillie believes Friday night’s game is a chance to build some momentum ahead of a long seven-game stretch on the road.

“We’re starting to round out and feel comfortable with how our offence is rolling,” Rillie said.

“But it has to be a good flow to the game. You can play frantic and turn it over and take bad shots and you can say you’re playing with great pace but you have to play efficient basketball.

“I want to play a nice tempo. Illawarra plays at a good tempo as well. So it’s really going to be who can make shots and who can put their stamp on it at the defensive end.”

Game details

Who: Perth Wildcats vs Illawarra Hawks

When: 6.30pm WST Friday 6 December

Where: RAC Arena

Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo or Foxtel

Opposition watch

After a semi-final berth last season, the Hawks are sitting pretty once again in second spot on the NBL ladder with an 8-5 record.

Sharpshooter Tyler Harvey and journeyman Trey Kell are averaging 17.2 and 16.7 points respectively this season to be in the top-10 in the competition.

Last time they met

The Wildcats finally ended their losing streak against the Hawks, a little over a month ago at RAC Arena.

Six players reached double figures for Perth, who were missing Bryce Cotton due to a rib injury.

Ben Henshall top-scored with 26 points, to go with six assists, in the 113-105 result, while import Dylan Windler (17 points and five rebounds) was also important and Tai Webster (15 points, four rebounds and three assists) provided some firepower off the bench.