“It’s going to be fireworks”

With just three wins separating first from sixth on the NBL standings, every game is vital. 

But when New South Wales rivals Illawarra and Sydney face off, it holds extra significance. 

Just ask Damon Lowery, who knows first-hand how much this matchup means. 

“We don’t like the Kings, as a former Hawks player,” Lowery said on NBL Now. 

“That rivalry is so real.”

Will Hickey ignited the spark when the teams last met, calling out the Kings’ “sulking” and “excuses”, following Illawarra's seven-point win. 

“When these two teams lock horns, it is going to be fireworks,” Lowery said. 

The former champion said one particular matchup would go a long way towards deciding the latest Freeway Series encounter. 

“The big matchup is Sam Froling and Xavier Cooks,” he said. 

“The Kings are too small, Cameron Oliver we don’t know what mood him and Brian Goorjian are in ... Xavier Cooks is going to be playing a bunch of five minutes.

“He (Cooks) weighs about 85 kilos. He’s going to have to guard Sam Froling for stretches during the game.

“That’s the matchup there that’s going to decide this game.”

Lowery is a little biased, of course, as a former Hawks star, but says the home team can salute at WIN Entertainment Centre.  

“Kings, you’re going to have to hold another L, sorry,” he added. 

“I’ve still got the Hawks as my pre-season pick to win the whole thing. 

“Every team’s going to go through some peaks and valleys ... right now the Hawks are going through theirs, the Kings have been bobbing and weaving, but I think the Hawks get this in front of a sold-out Sandpit crowd.”

Illawarra and Sydney face off at 8pm AEDT on Saturday night, live on ESPN.