'Beware the starving dog'

The Illawarra Hawks have been the hottest side in the competition all year, but just how will a three-week break between games affect their preparation?

There’s not a whole lot of science behind it, but history shows sporting teams can come back a little flat after an extended break, something the Hawks will be desperate to avoid against the Phoenix.

Ponder the fact South East Melbourne is one of just two teams Illawarra has a losing head-to-head record against in NBL25, and a slow start could be absolutely costly.

But not according to former Hawks champion Damon Lowery.

“Would you be scared of a starving dog that hasn’t eaten in 21 days?,” he pondered on NBL Overtime.

“The more they haven’t played, the more they want to play. It is not a disadvantage … it’s no big deal.

“The longer they wait, the more you’re going to get it when they show up.”

Illawarra has won seven of its nine games and goes into Friday night’s Playoff Series against the Phoenix as the overwhelming favourite.

But Josh King’s side will take plenty of confidence from their incredible second half comeback against Adelaide.

“I would rather not be away from the game for three weeks, but you can also say it gives you time if players are injured, it gives your guys some rest, they should be super fresh,” he said of the Hawks.

“You can look at it a bunch of different ways ... hopefully having to play at Perth, getting the Adelaide game under our belt will help us.”

King says the Phoenix’s victory at the WIN Entertainment Centre in November will mean little come tip-off.

“It means we that can we can beat them ... but in terms of what does it mean? It doesn’t mean anything,” he continued.

“The Playoffs is a whole different animal, we know that.

“We know going up to Wollongong will be an extreme challenge and we’re really looking forward to it.”

King declared Derrick Walton Jr. a certain starter earlier in the week, as he returns from a hamstring injury, but just how significant a role he’ll play remains to be seen.

“Derrick has trained the last three or four sessions, he’s looking good on the floor,” he added.

“He’s also a human being and not a robot, who hasn’t played in six or seven weeks.

“We’re really looking forward to hopefully getting him out on the floor and playing in this Illawarra series, but we just have to take it day by day.

“He trained today. He looked good, and hopefully if he gets through tomorrow and Thursday, he’ll play on Friday.”