DREWITT’S BULBS MATCH PREVIEW: Game 3 decider as Phoenix eye maiden Championship Series
16 Mar
1
min read


The South East Melbourne Phoenix have forced their Semi-Final series to a Game 3 decider in Adelaide, with a spot in the Championship Series against the Sydney Kings on the line.
Key Details
ADELAIDE 36ERS vs. SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX
Where: Adelaide Entertainment Centre
When: Tuesday, March 17 at 7:30pm AEDT
Watch: ESPN
The Phoenix produced an almighty comeback win in Game 2 of the Semi-Finals against the Adelaide 36ers on Saturday night to force a Game 3 decider.
After a fast start from Adelaide, the Phoenix trailed by as many as 18 points before a second-half surge, led by Phoenix MVP Nathan Sobey, saw them claim a nine-point win.
Sobey was outstanding, recording 41 points — a new career-high for the guard and a Phoenix finals record — while also knocking down eight three-pointers, another franchise playoff record.
The 36ers and Phoenix have now met six times this season and are locked at three wins apiece, with the decider being dubbed “Game 7” by coach Josh King.
A win on Tuesday night would be historic for the Phoenix, who are aiming to reach their maiden Championship Series, while Adelaide are chasing their first title since 2002.
TEAMS
Phoenix
The team will go in unchanged.
36ers
Adelaide will go in unchanged.
KEEP AN EYE ON
All on the line
Both teams will head into Game 3 confident they can advance to the Championship Series.
In Game 1, Adelaide’s MVP Bryce Cotton dominated with a 42-point performance, while Sobey took control in Game 2 with his 41-point masterclass.
Now it all comes down to Game 3. Who will step up in the biggest moment? What adjustments will each team make after the first two matchups? Everything will be decided on Tuesday night.
HISTORY
Head-to-Head – Semi-Final Series
Phoenix 1-1 36ers
Last time out – Game 2, NBL26
Phoenix 101-92 36ers
Phoenix
Sobey 41p
Brown III 12p
Glover 10p
36ers
Cotton 29p
Rakocevic 18p
Vasiljevic 14p
For all Phoenix finals information, your one-stop place is the PHOENIX FINALS HUB!

12 Apr
Off-Season Player Wrap

12 Apr
Gak’s Deciding Factor for Phoenix

11 Apr
Gorjok Gak interview (April 11, 2023)

11 Apr
Gorjok Gak Highlights (April 11, 2023)

10 Apr
Phoenix sign 211cm centre Gorjok Gak for NBL24

6 Apr
Kelly’s Plan for Free Agency

6 Apr
Signing off for Term One!

5 Apr
Phoenix Soar Principal’s Event

5 Apr
Mike Kelly Arrives in the Heartland (April 5, 2023)

3 Apr
Phoenix Off-Season Player Wrap

1 Apr
Heartland Hoops Coaches Profile - Jonathan Simon

31 Mar
NBL23 Heartland Award Winners

31 Mar
The Huddle: Mike Kelly - Phoenix's New Head Coach (NBL Media)

31 Mar
Social Media Reacts to New Coach Mike Kelly

30 Mar
Kelly Hopes to Conjure up a Little ‘Magic’ in Return to SE Melbourne

30 Mar
Mike Kelly interview (March 30, 2023)
Support your team with the latest gear
Grab your latest team releases before they're gone.

Get the latest Team Updates
Breaking news & special offers. Direct to your inbox.
