NBL 22: Illawarra Hawks defeat South East Melbourne Phoenix

South East Melbourne’s run in the NBL’s top four spanned more than 100 days, but that is over after another lacklustre effort put a dent in their finals hopes.

Lacklustre South East Melbourne has been KO’d by a fired up Illawarra Hawks in a battle of two teams fighting to be NBL finals heavyweights.

In front of Aussie MMA star and Hawks fan Alexander Volkanovski, bronze-medal big Duop Reath produced a goliath first half, scoring machine Tyler Harvey landed a flurry of haymakers and then Xavier Rathan-Mayes delivered the knockout blow as they were threatened, nailing a three-pointer with 20 seconds left to boot the Phoenix out of the top four. It’s the first time the Phoenix have not been in the four in over 100 days.

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Xavier Rathan-Mayes’ late three dropped the hammer on the Phoenix. Picture: Getty Images

The Phoenix lacked the intensity required of an NBL team at the defensive end, allowing the Hawks to waltz into the lane and make them look like bystanders as they did whatever they wanted around the hoop. Put simply, the Phoenix defenders were torn to shreds.

At the other end, star Mitch Creek could not buy a bucket with just two field goals through the first three quarters. Down 19 in the last — and looking defeated — the game completely changed as Creek awoke from his slumber with 12 fourth-quarter points and Chinese tower Zhou Qi continued his impressive attack on the hoop as they reduced the margin to one possession.

Zhou Qi tried his hardest, but the Hawks were too good. Picture: Getty Images

The Hawks looked like they’d put the cue in the rack, but required Rathan-Mayes’ clutch three to put the result beyond doubt as the Phoenix left their run too late.

The Phoenix allowed the Hawks to rattle up their highest score of the season, something coach Simon Mitchell said was “unacceptable”.

“Way too many buckets for them, we really struggled to put together groups of stops,” Mitchell said.

“We had some moments but, defensively, I thought we were poor.

“It’s just not good enough.”

Phoenix coach Simon Mitchell said his side’s defensive effort was unacceptable. Picture: Getty Images

Without injured leading rebounder Ryan Broekhoff, the Phoenix gave up 17 offensive boards that the Hawks turned into 23 second chance points.

“You set yourself up for a result like that when you give up (that many) O boards,” Mitchell said.

“People are going to say Rowdy not being out there tonight (contributed).

“He’s our premier defensive rebounder and I’m sure there’s a factor there, but I feel like technique and desire was also lacking a bit on those boards tonight and that’s really disappointing, especially for a game that was so important.”

Duop Reath was unstoppable. Picture: Getty Images

Reath deserved to roar during his stunning performance. Picture: Getty Images

Reath was simply unstoppable in the first half, making all seven of his shots on the way to 18 points to go with nine rebounds — five offensive.

When engaged, the uniquely-skilled 211cm Boomer can pick apart any team. He puts it on the floor, hits from deep, finishes at the hoop strong, is a load on the block and eats glass like Cornflakes. He finished with a 22-point, 12-rebound double-double.

The last time these two teams met, Harvey failed to make a field goal and did not score a point until the final minute of the game.

This time, he made the first bucket of the game — a trademark flare out for a three — then annihilated the Phoenix with 13 points in the third quarter on his way to 22 for the game.

His finish over the outstretched arm of Qi was ludicrous, burrowing into the lane past Izayah Le’Afa and kissing it off the glass as he fell out of bounds. His off-balance bucket in the third as Le’Afa bumped him was even more absurd.

Qi, who was a constant threat all night, using his superior reach and strength to finish in the post and at the hoop in traffic, had one of his best games in a Phoenix jersey with a game-high 25 points, but it wasn’t enough as his side lost its third game on the bounce and faces an uphill battle to recapture a spot in the top four.

Tyler Harvey’s circus tricks were a thing of beauty for the Hawks. Picture: Getty Images

Heat on in the run home

The battle for finals spots is intriguing. Melbourne United and Perth are the prohibitive one-two in some order, given both have the bulk (in the Wildcats case, all) of their remaining games on their home court. Then it gets murky. The Phoenix, Hawks, Sydney Kings and Tasmania remain realistic finalists, but four doesn’t fit into two. The Phoenix back up Saturday against a Kings side that is on a seven-game winning streak in what is set to be an enthralling contest. Ditto the Hawks when they face the JackJumpers, who have beaten them twice in the past seven games. Every game’s important, these doubly so with less than 10 left in the season.

Antonius Cleveland in full flight is a sight to see. Picture: Getty Images

Caught a plane out to Cleveland late last evenin’

Reath might have been the star, but Cleveland is the Hawks’ talisman. He’s a rabid defender who loves to harass ballhandlers and get in the passing lanes. When he gets out and runs, it’s like a thoroughbred down the Flemington straight on Cup Day — he ignites the Hawks and they follow him. He finished with 16 points and perhaps the only knock is his three-point shooting — he doesn’t need it in the role he plays and he should just put it away and move the ball on when he even contemplates shooting it.

SCOREBOARD

Illawarra Hawks 103-97 South East Melbourne Phoenix

Hawks

Reath: 22 points, 12 rebounds

Harvey: 22 points

Phoenix

Qi: 25 points, 8 rebounds

Creek: 15 points

Originally published as NBL 22: Illawarra Hawks defeat South East Melbourne Phoenix