Hawks coach Rob Beveridge remains confident Illawarra will come good despite suffering three straight NBL losses heading into Monday’s stoush with the Sydney Kings.
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After rocketing out of the blocks with a record breaking performance against Adelaide 36ers, the Hawks have slumped to 1-3 to start the 2016-17 campaign.
Their latest defeat came at the hands of Perth Wildcats on Friday night.
In the absence of Beveridge, who was attending his son’s high school graduation, Illawarra stuck with the Wildcats but ultimately fell 80-73.
It followed losses against the Kings and Melbourne, but Beveridge isn’t panicking about his side’s form slump.
“We aren’t far off the pace,” Beveridge said.
“It was disappointing to lose the other night but we fought hard and we put ourselves in a position to win the game.
“We are close and that’s what we keep talking about as a group.
“There is a lot of positives and we have faith in our system.
“Last year didn’t start that great either then we strung a heap of games together.
“It’s just about getting everyone on the same page.”
Beveridge believes the absence of Mitch Norton has also played its part in the Hawks’ stuttering start.
The former Townsville Crocodiles skipper has missed the better part of the past three games after injuring his hamstring in the first quarter against the Kings in round two.
“Losing Mitch has hurt us because we have had to put people in different positions that they aren’t usually in,” Beveridge said.
“Rhys Martin and Rotnei [Clarke] have had to play a bit more defense that Mitch would have otherwise been doing which then takes away from their strengths.”
Norton is in a race against time to be fit for Illawarra’s rematch with Sydney on Monday night.
Meanwhile, Sydney welcomed former NBA guard Steve Blake to their roster over the weekend.
After dropping American import Michael Bryson late last week, the Kings were quick to bring in the 36-year-old.
However, he won’t be ready in time to play against Illawarra.
Instead Sydney coach Andrew Gaze will rely on an in-form line-up which has secured three straight NBL victories and a spot at the top of the competition.
“Sydney are playing with a lot of confidence and swagger,” Beveridge said.
“Kevin Lisch and Jason Cadee have been outstanding and Greg Whittington has been good as well.
“They are really hitting their straps.
“They deserved to win the game when they beat us down here.
“We know it is going to be challenge.”
The Hawks have won their past three matches away in Sydney and five of their past six in the state’s capital.
Sydney, who won away from home against New Zealand on Thursday, hold bragging rights this season after beating Illawarra 88-84 to start round two.