In the final tune-up game before the start of the National Basketball League (NBL) regular season, the Illawarra Hawks started slow out of the gate and could never complete their comeback, falling to Sydney 106-96.
LaMelo Ball had his worst display of the preseason, finishing 1-for-10 from the field and 0-for-4 from beyond the arc in 26 minutes, tallying just four points on the night. Ball also added four assists, three rebounds and a steal while turning the ball over once and committing one foul.
The Hawks struggled out of the gate, 12-2 early before seeing Sydney open up leads of 20-4 and 22-6. Ball’s lone field goal came in the early goings as he finished off a fastbreak in fashion with a slam.
Aaron Brooks led the comeback effort on the night as the former NBA guard was lights out on the evening off the bench. Brooks finished with 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the field and 6-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc.
The Hawks never led on the night but were tied once at 36-36 after a pair of Ball freebies in the second period. The Kings responded by opening up a 57-47 by halftime. The Hawks never truly threatened in the second half despite a superb shooting performance from Brooks.
New Orleans Pelican draft-and-stash guard Didi Louzada led the Kings with 24 points on 10-of-18 shooting.
The Hawks will kick off the NBL regular season next Sunday against Brisbane.
