Facing off against their grand final foes from last season might have been all the Illawarra Hawks needed to jump-start their NBL title defence.

Shrugging off a struggling start to their campaign, led by a stunning performance by three-time NBA champion JaVale McGee (37 points, 14 rebounds), Illawarra stunned league leaders Melbourne United 107-93 at WIN Entertainment Centre on Wednesday night.

Five nights earlier, Illawarra suffered the worst home-court loss in their history – 102-60 at the hands of New Zealand Breakers – but they led from start to finish against United in easily their most impressive showing this season.

They showed signs of life in a 90-88 loss in Adelaide on Sunday but nothing to suggest the spectacular return to their championship-winning form against Melbourne, th

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