Tatum laments overtime letdown

After executing a superb sideline play to tie the game in the closing moments of the fourth quarter, the Illawarra Hawks appeared poised to pinch a crucial win over South East Melbourne and take a step closer to the top six.

Unfortunately for Illawarra, overtime told a different story.

“I’m not happy with anything since we lost,” Justin Tatum said in his press-conference.

“I just wish the guys took better care of the ball at that time. We felt that QJ (Peterson) is another playmaker out there … unfortunately we had a couple turnovers, not just him … but we just have to be better.”

The Hawks had three crucial turnovers in the extra five minutes, which helped the Phoenix pile on 18 points, 13 of those coming from Nathan Sobey.

“I think we can play any style with any team, we just have to not allow 18 offensive rebounds and turn the ball over 19 times,” Tatum added.

Tatum also responded to questions about the lineups he used down the stretch, with some big names sitting on the bench in crucial moments.

“They were just flowing,” he said.

“Anytime guys are flowing we try to stay with it … doesn’t matter if it’s with JaVale (McGee) or Sam (Froling), it doesn’t make a difference. You don’t want to break continuity if guys are competing at a high level.”

Now the Hawks must turn their attention to the New Zealand Breakers, who are also trying to build towards making the top six.

For Tatum and the Hawks, there are still positives to take from the loss to the Phoenix, albeit one that will sting considering where they currently sit, now in eighth place with eight wins and 14 losses.

“We stayed in it with one of the top teams in the league,” he said.

“We were one rebound away from potentially possibly winning it, it’s about attention to detail and keep playing at a high level of effort and see how it goes.”