Nick Kay and his Illawarra Hawks are just three wins away from their own slice of history.
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The competition’s great underdogs are set to meet heavyweights Perth Wildcats in a best-of-five grand final series to claim NBL supremacy after an epic 106-98 win over Adelaide in the third semi-final on Thursday.
Kay played just over 18 minutes for six points, four rebounds and one assist, although the Tamworth export was in foul trouble for most of the second half after picking up his fourth personal foul early in the third quarter.
The win didn’t come without some nervous moments with the hosts pegging back an 18-point three-quarter-time deficit to get within five down the stretch before Rotnei Clarke iced the game with two clutch threes.
MVP Jerome Randle and back-court partner Nathan Sobey looked tight early on but came to life in the fourth with Sobey producing 13 as the hosts looked to steal the game but it was Clarke’s night.
Clarke finished with 20 points and Marvelle Harris had 12 of his 17 points in a telling second quarter – but it was the likes of Michael Holyfield and Cody Ellis who proved the major surprise packets filling the void after star centre AJ Ogilvy left the court with four minutes left in the first quarter.
Holyfield (10 points six rebounds) reached double figures for the first time since round three while Ellis had 11 points and veterans Rhys Martin (13) and Tim Coenraad (10) also came up big.
The win broke a streak of 10 straight playoff losses on the road for the Hawks but leaves little time to regroup ahead of game one in the west on Sunday.
They flew to Perth on Friday to begin their charge at a second ever NBL crown, but without Harris. He has been forced to return to the US due to personal issues.
Hawks coach Rob Beveridge expects his talented import will be back in time for game two in Wollongong on Wednesday.
Ogilvy also in doubt for the clash. He has been monitored by club medical staff since and is in a race against time to be fit for the series opener.
"His foot is probably going to blow up on the plane [on Friday] so our medical staff is going to be pretty busy over the next 48 hours to get him on the floor," Beveridge said.
Beveridge admitted the unfortunate circumstances would test his squad on the big stage, but said the Hawks wouldn’t take a backward step in Perth.
"We have got players with massive hearts and commitment to each other,” he said.
"We play as team. We have showed we don't rely on just Marvelle or just AJ.
“Obviously it would be ideal to have a fully fit team ready and raring to go.
“The reality is it is not and we are going into battle with what we have got."