Each time it looked like Illawarra would pull away, their fierce rivals made a run to stay in touch.

With two minutes to play they had cut the deficit to just one and looked set to storm over the top of the Hawks.

Read more: Churchill rewarded with big innings as Wests secure convincing victory

But like they had done all match, Brian Goorjian's side responded.

There was no lead change and Illawarra closed out the match after clutch plays from big men Duop Reath and Sam Froling, securing a 92-84 victory to move to 2-0 to start the year.

The Hawks now return home for their first game at WIN Entertainment Centre this season. The team will host the New Zealand Breakers on Friday night, before a date with the Bullets in Brisbane on Sunday.

Goorjian knows his side is still well below their best, however Saturday's performance was a sign of what they're capable of should they continue to grow throughout the coming months.

"We knew [the Kings would] come out and play their asses off," Goorjian said. "Which they did and we handled that.

"We've got a lot of new players too, a lot of change and it's our second game of the season.

"We're not polished yet but I like where we went to win the game and getting two on the road to start the season is really good."

Goorjian isn't getting carried away after Illawarra's unbeaten start to the season.

The Kings were without key men R.J. Hunter and Jaylen Adams, made 18 turnovers and shot just 10 of 30 from three.

The Hawks made the most of their chances, Duop Reath producing a monster performance with 27 points and seven rebounds, while Antonius Cleveland added 19 points and four steals.

The duo were hailed as key signings in the off-season and the early signs indicate they will play a key role in Illawarra's quest for an NBL championship.

"Antonius is a piece that makes us really good," Goorjian said. "If he bites on this and grows and gets into this, he's a piece that's just more offensive minded.

"He can shoot the three, he can get on the rim, he can guard multiple positions and tonight, if he hadn't gone there, we don't get that win.

"He's unique to our team on the perimeter. Being with the Boomers, it's kind of like Matisse Thybulle and Dante Exum. He's that type of guy who makes you different and he was key."

Saturday's match was a dog fight from the start, neither team willing to give an inch after a week of animosity and a public feud between the two owners.

Former Hawks Angus Glover and Xavier Cooks did everything they could to lead the Kings to victory, the pair helping their side pull within one late in the game.

The guard finished with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Cooks added 14 points and hauled in 11 boards.

Glover was ejected with 24 seconds remaining for his role in a scuffle that saw players running in from all directions.

Kings coach Chase Buford declined to comment on the incident but backed the Illawarra product to shine if he can remain healthy.

"That's been the only thing that's held him back the last few years is injuries," Buford said. "You guys would know him before better than I, but he's been terrific since I've gotten here."

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