Destiny in Our Own Hands

The race for the final five spots in the top six is wide open. The million-dollar question remains, where will the Phoenix finish?

Phoenix gained two crucial wins in Round 16, one over the JackJumpers on the road by 11 points and the other over the Wildcats by 21 points at a sold-out State Basketball Centre, which moved them back into the top six.

With only two games remaining for the Phoenix in the regular season, every game is like a mini-final.

“We’re just taking it one game at a time; that’s all in our hands. I think we figured out what we needed to do in Tasmania, and that's fight harder than the other team,” said Reuben Te Rangi post-game on Sunday.

(Te Rangi with the no-look pass in his 300th NBL game on Sunday.)

Phoenix currently sit 6th on the ladder with 14 wins, 12 losses and a percentage of 101.77%.

Mathematically, 16 wins could see any team finish as high as 2nd or fall as low as 7th, depending on other results. In comparison, 14 wins could see teams finish anywhere between 5th to 8th.

To go deeper into possible ladder results of the Phoenix:

-      16 wins, finish as high as 2nd and as low as 7th

-      15 wins, finish as high as 3rd and as low as 7th

-      14 wins, finish as high as 5th and as low as 8th

via Duncan Berg on Twitter: @CoachDuncanBerg

Percentage will be playing a huge role in the final ladder positions. Playing until the final buzzer became a talking point during the season, and one that head coach Simon Mitchell addressed emphatically.

“It's percentage, I don't want to be in that traffic jam where you lose on percentage on an important position on the ladder. Whether it be the top-two, the top-four, or missing the six.

“You try and do everything you can. I also think it's Aussie culture to play the game out, respect the game to the end. I know it's a little bit hard, it's cool to run out the clock. I'd rather be unfashionably playing playoffs,” Mitchell said post-game in Round 10.

(Phoenix bench celebrating in Sunday's win over the Wildcats.)

The Phoenix takes on Cairns Taipans on Wednesday night at the State Basketball Centre in the club’s fourth sold out home game in a row and will kick off the NBL’s inaugural Champion Pride Round.

Phoenix Media (23/1/23)