BASKETBALL
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Fresh from his best performance of the season, Hawks super sub Kevin Tiggs is keen for some payback against the Melbourne Tigers starting Thursday.
Tiggs top-scored for the Hawks with 18 points and pulled down five rebounds in their 69-63 last-start victory over the Sydney Kings.
He hopes to continue the run of good form in the Hawks' double-header with the Tigers in Melbourne on Friday ahead of a return clash at WIN Entertainment Centre on New Year's Eve.
The Tigers inflicted a close five-point defeat on the Hawks in their round-five clash and Tiggs sees back-to-back matches as a chance to square the ledger.
"We're taking it as a series and we're down one," Tiggs said.
"We're going down there to win one and come back and especially defend the home court and hopefully come out with two to put us at a better ranking in the season."
The 29-year-old swingman has shown important touches of class in crucial moments so far this year, reaching double figures in all four of the Hawks victories, and feels he's starting to grasp Gordie McLeod's highly structured offence.
"It was a bit tough because we've got a pretty complex offence which is pretty different to what I'm used to," Tiggs said.
"I'm getting into it, I'm learning thanks to the help of Rhys [Martin] and Gordie.
"It's my first year here so I'm just getting to learn about the team and learning everybody's game, what's their position, what's their role in the team."
The 2013/14 season has been set alight by star imports headed by James Ennis at Perth, Sam Young at Sydney and Tiggs' teammate Rotnei Clarke in Wollongong.
While the results show his performances are instrumental to the Hawks' week-to-week fortunes, Tiggs was adamant he doesn't feel any added pressure to match their performances.
"No, not at all, that kind of stuff doesn't affect me," he said.
"You can't let that kind of stuff get to you so I don't even worry about it, I just worry about me and my role in the team."
While Tiggs is fully focused on facing the Tigers, he admits he does pine for the colder climes of Michigan at this time of year.
"It's always very tough," Tiggs said.
"I've got a huge family and everybody misses me.
"They're always asking 'are you coming home for Christmas?' and I have to say 'no not this year' so it's a tough time but I'm kind of used to it now.
"This is only my second summer Christmas without any snow, so it'll be different.
"I'm going to spend it with some teammates and I'll see how it goes."