Breakers Too Strong for Phoenix

South East Melbourne Phoenix were coming into this round with two big games, starting with the ladder leading New Zealand Breakers. 

But the Breakers showed why they are championship contenders from the first quarter with a strong shooting display. Alan Williams started well with two easy buckets, the first over Derek Pardon, but turnovers were the Phoenix’s biggest worry, along with Barry Brown Jr’s speed that got the Breakers the early lead.

The Phoenix couldn’t hit a three going into the second quarter with being 1/7 from deep. While the Breakers were tough offensively and defensively extending their lead to 63-39 at the main break.

The highlight for the Phoenix in the second half was Williams hitting his fifth double-double for the season with 29 and 10 early in the third. Though the Breakers continued to limit the Phoenix’s other two imports including Gary Browne who ended up with a minor ankle twist and didn’t play the remainder of the game, finishing on 5 points and zero assists.

In the end the Phoenix couldn’t minimise the effect of the Breakers’ offensive firepower, going down by 26 points.

Phoenix fly home early Friday morning to prepare for Throwdown XIX on Saturday night against Melbourne United. 

The Result:

South East Melbourne Phoenix 84 - 110 New Zealand Breakers

The Numbers

Phoenix
Williams: 29 points, 13 rebounds
Creek: 19 points
Kell: 8 points

Breakers
Brown Jr: 31 points

The Turning Point

Phoenix not making shots from beyond the arc

Phoenix couldn’t hit a three which damaged their scoreline and chance to get close to the firing Breakers. They ended with 5/22 from deep.

The Play of the Game

Williams first bucket of the night over Pardon set the tone for the big man who got whatever he wanted from a scoring sense with his signature floater on point for much of the game.

Player of the Game

Alan Williams

Williams was on fire as he picked up his fifth double-double for the season ending with 29 points and 13 rebounds.

From the Coach

Simon Mitchell

“They’re extraordinarily rugged team. They got themselves to the line made three’s and they were tough on the pick and roll.It was sort of plugging holes tonight. Whatever we try to take away, they found another way to score and we kind of hurt ourselves too with just our turnovers early. It just seemed every time we turned it over it led to a bucket. We couldn’t take a break tonight. And when we did in the third quarter, started to get a few stops, we gave up o-boards. It’s just a disappointing evening for us.”

From the Player

Alan Williams

“We just didn’t get enough possessions because we were giving the the ball to the other team. Anytime we do that, as much as we did especially in that first half, you dig yourself a hole. I guess a good team like the Breakers here, it’s tough to come back from.”

CLICK HERE to secure your seat for Phoenix's home Throwdown on Saturday night at 8pm.

Phoenix Media (1/12/22)