Tyler Harvey hit the game-winning basket as Illawarra hit back to level the NBL championship series with a gutsy road win over Melbourne United.Star imports Harvey and Trey Kell recovered from poor game-one showings to lead the Hawks to a thrilling 102-100 victory at John Cain Arena on Wednesday night.

Chris Goulding and Matthew Dellavedova catch fire late to guide Melbourne United to an upset 96-88 win over Illawarra Hawks in Wollongong.

The Illawarra Hawks soared into their first National Basketball League title decider in eight years after a ruthless 126-96 rout of South East Melbourne Phoenix at WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong on Wednesday night.

Star Hawks trio Sam Froling, Tyler Harvey and Trey Kell III have Illawarra on the cusp of a crucial road win to level the NBL championship series with Melbourne United.

There was only one other playoff series in his 35 years in professional basketball that Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman could compare to his team’s stunning 2-1 take-down of the Perth Wildcats and it was foremost in his thoughts.

Tyler Harvey was the hero as the Illawarra Hawks levelled the best-of-five NBL championship series against Melbourne United at 1-1 with a tense road win.