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.

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.

Here's what to keep an eye on as the NBL Championship Series gets set to begin, from the big storylines, to the players primed to explode, and where each team might find their advantages.

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

Wani Swaka Lo Buluk was the matchup, and did an excellent individual job. Goulding found it incredibly difficult to create separation coming off turnouts, with the runner up for the NBL's Best Defensive Player award using his impressive screen evasion and length to hound the United guard.

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.

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.

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.