Wollongong is in line to host two massive NBL play-off games after the Hawks survived a last-round thriller by 87-84 against arch-rivals the Kings on Sunday.
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The equation was simple heading into the clash. Both teams had booked their finals ticket against each other, the winner sealing second spot and the chance to host game one of the finals - and potentially a second encounter - in the three-match finals series.
Illawarra had led by 13 points at halftime before the hosts surged back into the contest. However, in the end, the Hawks did enough to claim a three-point win, less than 48 hours after beating the Wildcats in Perth.
The first semi-final will take place on Friday night at WIN Entertainment Centre, before game two is held in Sydney next Sunday afternoon. If a deciding third game is needed, the match will be held the following Tuesday night.
If the Kings had won, game one was set to be held in Sydney on Wednesday night.
"I walked into the stadium knowing that we were playing the last game of the year for second place,'' Hawks coach Brian Goorjian said. ''The game wasn't perfect but it was two teams fighting for that spot. The last two times we've played each other, it's gone to the wire.
"For us, there was 30 some hours between being in Perth and coming in and coming here and playing a game like that.
''The idea of coming back on Wednesday and playing in front of 20,000 people - no thanks. To get this [win] by a whisker was huge for our chances.
"I'm really pleased for the organisation, proud of the guys and look forward to what's ahead. This was our vision, and winning games was a big part of it."
Sunday's victory was earned on the back of a standout performance from Justinian Jessup, who finished with 25 points, with 15 of them coming in the first quarter. Antonius Cleveland finished with 18 points and six rebounds, while Tyler Harvey scored 15 points.
For the Kings, Xavier Cooks (20 points, 14 boards) had a double-double, but the Illawarra product could be in doubt for the first final after suffering a suspected lower-leg injury.
Harvey and Jessup were red-hot early as the Hawks shot out to a 19-6 lead. The hosts were then able to settle, going on a 6-0 before a timeout was called.
However, Jessup was able to wrestle back the momentum quickly with successive threes, with the Hawks jumping out to a 29-14 lead.
Sydney's Wani Swaka Lo Buluk broke the run with a three, but Harry Froling quickly returned serve. Jarelle Martin's late free throw rounded out the scoring as Illawarra led 32-18 at the first break.
The Kings came flying out of the blocks through Dejan Vasiljevic and Ian Clark threes, before Duop Reath responded from long range. It sparked a great period for the Hawks, who went on a 9-2 run, with Reath tipping in a further four points.
However, the Kings responded, with Lo Buluk and Martin threes inspiring them to a 10-2 run to cut the margin to 46-36. Illawarra again rallied through Harvey and Rathan-Mayes (52-36), before the hosts went on a 7-1 run.
But Cleveland was able to draw a buzzer-beating foul. He took full toll from the charity stripe as the Hawks led 56-43 at the main break.
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Clark got the Kings rolling in the third with a three, before the game settled into an end-to-end pattern, with the visitors holding a 67-55 advantage.
Matur Maker's three then brought the deficit within single figures. Momentum continued to roll with the Kings, before ex-Hawk Angus Glover's three cut the margin to 67-65.
Illawarra responded through Cleveland and Jessup threes, but Sydney continued to battle to trail 73-71 at three-quarter time.
Jessup again opened the scoring with a three in the fourth, before Lo Buluk responded quickly from long range. Cooks then drained two free throws to draw level at 76-76.
The game continued to be an entertaining and tough affair, with the Hawks nudging out to an 85-83 lead with a minute left.
With 35 seconds left, Cooks drew a foul and drained one free throw to cut the deficit to 85-84.
The Hawks then moved the ball to the offensive end, with Rathan-Mayes missing his jump shot. There was then a mad scramble at the other end of the floor, with the visitors winning back possession and during a foul. During the passage, Reath accidentally landed awkwardly on Cooks, who appeared to injure his leg.
From the ensuing play, Harvey drew three straight fouls, allowing the star to go to charity stripe. He nailed one as the Hawks led 86-84, with the Kings calling a timeout.
The Kings found space from the throw in, however, Clark stepped out of bounds as he sunk a three, allowing the Hawks to get the ball back. Jessup was fouled immediately, and mustered one free throw to take an 87-84 lead.
Sydney had a last-ditch attempt to take the game into overtime, but Vasiljevic's shot swung wide, as the Hawks clung on to victory.
History will be made in the other semi-final series, with the JackJumpers reaching the playoffs in their inaugural season. They will face minor premiers Melbourne United.