After losses in two previous clashes with star-studded Melbourne - one of which was the first quadruple overtime game in 24 years - the Hawks claimed their third win of the season on Thursday evening.

Victory over the Wildcats on Sunday would boost their record to 4-4.

That might be easier said than done given the Hawks suffered a 101-61 thrashing in Perth in round one.

"It's huge," Illawarra coach Rob Beveridge said of Sunday's meeting.

"Perth absolutely smashed us by 40 and it was one of the most humiliating losses that we've ever had, and that's still pretty raw.

"We're going to take care of the bodies and we're going to be exceptionally focused on Sunday."

Illawarra's American import Brian Conklin believes it's crucial that the Hawks play with the same aggressive mindset that paved the way for Thursday's 87-81 defeat of the defending champions.

"We went to Perth and they kicked our ass, so we have to come out and show who we are from the get-go like we did [against Melbourne]," Conklin said.

"We have to play our tempo."

Melbourne were without sharpshooting guard Chris Goulding (knee injury) on Thursday, though coach Dean Vickerman expects him to return for Sunday's home meeting with Cairns.

"We know that this our heaviest period of games during the year but we've still got another four in this period and we have to be able to recuperate and get ready," Vickerman said.

Starring for the Hawks against the team he won a championship with last season was 38-year-old centre David Andersen.

The four-time Olympian and former NBA player finished with a team-high 18 points and produced his best shooting display of the season.

"He was fantastic, outstanding, he turned back the clock," Beveridge said.

"He was very good at both ends, his talk, his leadership. He was our go-to guy and made the big plays."

Australian Associated Press