DREWITT’S BULBS MATCH PREVIEW: Phoenix celebrate Christmas in a Spectacular against Brisbane
19 Dec
1
min read


The Phoenix return home after a thrilling one-point victory out west to take on the Brisbane Bullets in their Christmas Spectacular: Under the Stars, presented by William Adams CAT, at John Cain Arena.
Key Details
SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX (12-6) 3rd vs BRISBANE BULLETS (5-13) 9th
Where: The Fire Pit, John Cain Arena
When: Saturday, December 20 at 8pm AEDT
Watch: ESPN
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The Phoenix face a quick 48-hour turnaround after their dramatic second-half comeback in Perth on Thursday night, snatching a one-point win over the Wildcats. Trailing by as many as 16 points, a dominant 51–36 second half and a clutch late moment from John Brown III sealed the victory.
Josh King’s side will be looking to make it two wins in Round 13 when they return to the Fire Pit for the final home game of 2025 in their annual Christmas Spectacular: Under the Stars.
The Brisbane Bullets have endured a turbulent start to Round 13, with Stu Lash stepping down as head coach prior to the round and assistant coach Darryl McDonald taking over in an interim role.
Post-game, Coach King noted the Phoenix would need to come out firing against a Bullets side desperate for a win as they look to avoid a seventh straight loss.
The last time the two sides met, a month ago, the Phoenix held the upper hand with a 27-point victory.
TEAMS
Phoenix
Owen Foxwell will make his return to the team after missing the last month due to a corked thigh.
Bullets
The Bullets go in unchanged in Saturday’s game.
KEEP AN EYE ON
The co-captain duo
With the Phoenix trailing at the main break on Thursday night, co-captains Nathan Sobey and Jordan Hunter stepped up to rally the side in a thrilling comeback win. The pair each knocked down four three-pointers in the second half and combined for 34 points.
Both players also enjoy facing the Bullets, with Hunter recording 24 points the last time the two sides met.

HISTORY
Head-to-Head
Phoenix 12-10 Bullets
Last time out – Rd10, NBL26
Phoenix 103-76 Bullets
Phoenix
Hunter 24p
Sobey 13p
Iwundu 13p
Bullets
Harrison 16p
Mathias 12p
Holt 11p
GAME DAY HUB
The Phoenix’s annual Christmas Spectacular: Under the Stars is a must-attend event. With plenty happening pre-game and a mind-blowing laser show, make sure you don’t miss a moment. Doors open at 6pm, with the show beginning at 7:30pm.
CLICK HERE or the image below for all the latest game day information.

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