Larry Davidson trains with the Hawks yesterday. Picture: GREG TOTMAN
Saturday's vital round 22 battle between Wollongong and Townsville could be decided at the three-point line.
The Hawks are the NBL's most accurate team from three-point territory and third in threes attempted, while the Crocodiles are second in threes attempted.
Wollongong made 13/32 threes in their 88-82 defeat of Melbourne on Saturday, as Adris Deleon (5/8) and Larry Davidson (3/4) took advantage of the Tigers' inability to defend the on-ball screen. The "Double D" duo is keen to keep the Crocs guessing by using the same play this weekend, especially if it helps draw 218-centimetre Townsville centre Luke Nevill out of the paint.
"I guess it gives the other team something else they have to worry about," Davidson said.
"If they trap Adris and we move the ball, it just opens up everything so much more. If we don't get a shot, we can get the ball back to Adris when the defence is rotating and on the back foot.
"That gives him a lot more options, rather than allowing the defence to get set and key in on him."
Complete coverage of the Wollongong Hawks
Deleon was focused from start to finish against the Tigers, playing all but one minute of the game and almost chalking up a triple-double (31 points, eight assists, seven rebounds).
"He was pretty timely with some of those big shots he hit," Davidson said.
"Some of those shots are 'no, no, no ... yes'.
"He was massive for us. When we needed big buckets, he came through for us.
"He was aggressive the whole night. He had them on the back foot, he hit threes, he was attacking and getting into the key, forcing the defence to collapse and then kicking it out to shooters.
"He really mixed it up nicely and, when we've got that going, that's when our team looks good. That's when it's the funnest.
"Now there's three games left and we just have to do the same thing three more times."
The Hawks (11-14) are sharing third spot with arch rivals Sydney (11-14).
The Kings are on the road against Perth this week before they head to Wollongong on March 15 for a highly anticipated round 23 duel with the Hawks.
