Illawarra coach Rob Beveridge believes Friday night's season-ending 106-95 home win over a desperate Adelaide 36ers was exactly the sort of bruising test the Hawks needed ahead of their NBL semi-final showdown with the Perth Wildcats.
The Hawks led from start to finish against the 36ers, who needed to win both of their final-round road games - they meet the Wildcats in Perth on Sunday night - to have any chance of forcing their way into the playoffs.
After allowing the Sixers to pull within a point in the third quarter, Illawarra dominated at both ends of the court in the final period, leading by as many as 22 before taking their foot off the gas in the closing minutes.
Reigning champions New Zealand claimed fourth spot and will battle minor premiers Melbourne United in a best-of-three semi-final series which tips off with game one in Melbourne next Thursday.
Game two shifts to Auckland and game three, if required, is scheduled for February 26 in Melbourne.
Melbourne host New Zealand in a relatively meaningless final-round clash this Sunday.
The Wildcats and Hawks open their series in Perth next Friday and lock horns in game two next Sunday in Wollongong.
Perth's intimidating 13,000-seat stadium will be the venue if the series is forced to a deciding third game.
"We cant wait," Beveridge said.
"Every time we played Perth we haven't had our full group of 10, so this will be the first time this season we take our full group over to Perth. I feel were ready to go."
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