DrinkWise game preview - Round 20: Perth Wildcats v Illawarra Hawks

The Hawks are the only team in the competition Perth haven’t beaten in NBL24, losing both at home and away to the Justin Tatum-coached side.

It will be the first game in a tough road double-header to finish the regular season, with the team travelling to Hobart on Friday to take on Tasmania the following day.

With a top-two spot already secured after last week’s victory over Cairns at RAC Arena, Rillie wants to keep that positive momentum going heading into playoffs.

“We’re 0-2 against them. They’re the only team we haven’t beaten this year,” he said.

“So that would just be a small feather in our cap to go through a season without being swept by a team. But the more important thing is us feeling good about ourselves moving towards the playoffs in case we do play them at that stage of the season as well.

“We don’t change much up from game to game. We’re pretty vanilla in staying with what we do on a daily basis. But they probably exposed us a little bit with the way they they defend us. And it’s gonna be a great challenge to go on the road and figure out a way to defeat them.”

Three-time MVP Bryce Cotton scored seven and 13 points respectively in his two games against the Hawks this season.

Rillie felt Cotton’s teammates needed to capitalise on their superstar’s extra attention.

“The gravity and the purpose of Bryce plays with, our other players have to really capitalise on that,” he said.

“And I thought we saw that in the fourth quarter the other night against Cairns. There’s some similarities with the way Cairns defends off the ball and the attention they give Bryce. So getting ourselves in those situations more often, I think will be advantageous for us.”

Game details

Who: Perth Wildcats vs Illawarra Hawks

When: 4.30pm WST Thursday 15 February

Where: WIN Entertainment Centre

Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo or Foxtel

Opposition watch

Illawarra have transformed from cellar dwellers midway through the season to championship contenders under interim coach Justin Tatum.

The fourth-placed Hawks knocked off cross-town rivals Sydney Kings 106-95 last round - their fourth win in five games - to strengthen their finals chances.

Imports Gary Clark, Tyler Harvey and skipper Sam Froling have been outstanding in the team's stunning turnaround.

Last time they met

The Wildcats lost both of their previous encounters against the Hawks in NBL24 – one away and the latter at home.

Illawarra prevailed 95-77 last time the two sides met at RAC Arena on January 25.

Former Wildcat Todd Blanchfield dropped 16 points in an important performance, while Gary Clark had a team-high 17.

Kristian Doolittle (11 points and 10 rebounds) posted another double-double for the Wildcats, while Tai Webster was the top-scorer with 16 points.