Basketball On The Internet.

MELBOURNE'S 80-73 road win over Illawarra last night means it needs just one more win to take a stranglehold on the NBL's highest perch.

United now is 18-8 with two games left and a 19th win would mean Perth couldn't overhaul it for the regular season championship and homecourt through the semi and Grand Final series.

The Wildcats are on 16-9 and even with three wins to close the regular season, would only get to 19-9. Melbourne owns the head-to-head split 3-1 so with one more win, could not be displaced.

The only scenario in which Perth could still seize first is if it wins all three games (Sydney-H, Sydney-A, Adelaide-H) and Melbourne doesn't win again.

That's not outrageous or impossible either, United finishing away and at home against New Zealand, which very much still is in the top four hunt.

Stephen Holt (above) continued his recent top form with a game-high 23 points at The Sandpit, Chris Goulding with a strong all-round game for 13 points, seven boards, four assists and a couple of steals.

Still down injured leading scorer Kirk Penney (burst blood vessel in hamstring), Illawarra was led by Kevin Lisch and Cody Ellis - its two heroes from the double-overtime win in New Zealand last month.

But not enough players stood up for the Hawks, United always having the answers.

Tonight: ADELAIDE has it all to do in Cairns after failing at home so dismally against the Breakers on Wednesday. The 36ers are protecting an 11-point cushion to win the season-series but I'm tipping the Orangemen to keep their hopes alive and Sixers fans on the edges of their seats for the season's final week.

CASEY Prather (hamstring) won't be suiting tonight for Perth which gives Sydney superstar Josh Childress an even better chance to shine. But with the Wildcats still in pursuit of first place, an upset from the dungeon's deposed Kings isn't on the cards.

Last night MELBOURNE UNITED 80 (Holt 23, Goulding 13, Kickert 10; Goulding 7 rebs; Goulding, Tomlinson 4 assts) d ILLAWARRA HAWKS 73 (Lisch 21, Ellis 17, Ogilvy, Coenraad 11; Ogilvy 8 rebs; 3 with 3 assts) at The Sandpit, WIN Entertainmment Centre