NBL title-favourites Melbourne United have held off a spirited Illawarra Hawks challenge to book their place in the Championship Series for the first time in three years.
Melbourne never trailed in their 100-94 win at John Cain Arena on Wednesday night but were pushed all the way before Shea Ili made decisive plays in the dying stages to settle a gripping contest.
The experienced guard gave United crucial breathing space with an aggressive drive and finish under pressure in the final 30 seconds before adding another two points from the foul line.
Ili finished with a personal season-high 22 points and blunted Illawarra weapon Tyler Harvey to help United close out the best-of-three Playoffs series, following a split pair of overtime thrillers in the opening two games.
Sam Froling (23 points) and Justin Robinson (19 points, seven assists) did their best to lift the fourth-seeded Hawks to another upset win but there was no repeat of the underdogs' game-two heroics.
Melbourne, who topped the regular-season ladder with a 20-8 record, now have the chance to add to the 2018 and 2021 titles won under this season's coach of the year Dean Vickerman.
They will face the Tasmania JackJumpers in the best-of-five season decider, starting on Sunday.
NBA prospect Luke Travers (15 points, 11 rebounds) helped spark Melbourne's 15-6 opening against Illawarra and scored seven points in a 9-0 run at the start of the third period that blew the margin out to 16 points.
Veteran leader Matthew Dellavedova (11 points, five assists) was an influential figure throughout, while Ian Clark (14 points), Chris Goulding (14) and Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (13) were also busy.
United repeatedly created double-figure buffers but were never fully able to break the Hawks' spirit.
"They're just a team that never quits," Vickerman said.
"We had them down heavy and they just kept making plays ... it just felt like that all throughout the game.
"We were making some really good runs but they were just good enough to keep coming back.
"But there was a will and a desire with us tonight and Delly (Dellavedova) really drove that throughout this series."
The result put an end to Illawarra's rags-to-riches run, as last year's wooden spooners fell one game short of the season decider.
The Hawks shot themselves in the foot, making just 24 of 38 free throws, and coach Justin Tatum conceded his side didn't match Melbourne's intensity early, which left them playing catch-up.
"They had us down and got their mojo going," Tatum said.
"They've got too many vets and too many guys that have won championships before.
"When they had us on the back of our heels they got it going and we never responded like we're supposed to.
"We should've focused better on the free-throw line, knowing that we're on the road.
"Guys had opportunities to cut the lead down, but it wasn't just the free throws.
"There were other things that we could've capitalised on but missing 14 doesn't help."
Melbourne are now aiming for a third championship under the United moniker, after four previous titles as the Melbourne Tigers.
An NBL foundation club in 1979, the Hawks are still without a title since their sole championship back in 2001.
