Wildcats one win away from a championship after 89-77 game two victory

Craig O'DonoghueThe West Australian
VideoFormer Wildcats coach knocked of his chair by current Cats skipper in game two of the NBL grand final series.

The courageous Perth Wildcats defied history and another game-ending head knock to veteran Matt Knight to beat Illawarra 89-77 in Wollongong and take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five grand final series.

But Knight’s injury is a major concern given his history of head knocks. He needed assistance to leave the court early in the third quarter after Casey Prather accidentally struck him in the face.

It is the second time in the last month that Knight has been felled. He missed a clash with Cairns after a collision against Brisbane two days earlier.

With game three in Perth on Sunday, Knight has limited time to recover.

VideoConcerns for Matt Knight after friendly fire in grand final game two.
Read more...

The Wildcats trailed by seven points when he left the court but Jameel McKay came on and played inspirational basketball to lift his team to a four-point lead into three quarter time.

McKay dragged in nine rebounds for the quarter.

Angus Brand was also brilliant with 15 points and 11 rebounds. His first half was exceptional.

The Wildcats hadn’t won a grand final game on-the-road since beating the Victoria Titans at Melbourne Park in 2000.

Since that time, they tried and failed seven times with four losses in New Zealand and one in Adelaide, Sydney and Wollongong.

Camera IconCasey Prather’s work inside was strong in the first half. Credit: Getty Images

Grand finals have been dominated by home teams regardless of match-ups with 23 of the last 25 grand final contests being won by the host.

Perth’s effort was more remarkable considering Illawarra’s big men started brilliantly and Bryce Cotton was in early foul trouble.

Having been blown away by Knight on Sunday, AJ Ogilivy and Nick Kay combined for 11 points and five rebounds in the first six minutes.

But the Wildcats refused to be intimidated when they trailed by 11 points during the first and nine points during the third quarter.

Damian Martin’s determination was again on show and one lunging effort left him sprawled on top of Illawarra coach Rob Beveridge.

Martin scored 12 points, won six rebounds, had six assists and three steals.

Prather scored 18 points and had six assists while Cotton finished with 20 points.

Rotnei Clarke scored 21 points for the Hawks and Ogilvy finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds.​

Camera IconThe Wildcats huddle up during the come-from-behind win. Credit: Getty Images

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails