DREWITT’S BULBS MATCH PREVIEW: Phoenix face off against Kings in top-two battle

The Phoenix return to John Cain Arena for the first time since December to take on the Sydney Kings in the game of the round on Sunday.

Key Details

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX (21-9) 1st vs SYDNEY KINGS (20-9) 3rd
Where: The Fire Pit, John Cain Arena
When: Sunday, February 8 at 2:30pm AEDT
Watch: Channel 10 | ESPN

VERY LIMITED TICKETS REMAIN FOR SUNDAY'S CLASH

The Phoenix return to the Fire Pit for a massive clash that could shape the top three on the NBL26 ladder.

Josh King’s side opened Round 20 with a dominant 31-point win over the New Zealand Breakers after an even opening stanza. Next Star Malique Lewis was outstanding at both ends, recording the first double-double in the NBL.

The good news kept coming on Thursday night, with Illawarra’s win over Adelaide lifting the Phoenix to the top of the ladder for the first time in NBL26.

The Sydney Kings enter their only game of the round as one of the competition’s most in-form sides, alongside the Phoenix, as both teams continue their push to cement a top-two finish by season’s end.

Their last outing came against the Cairns Taipans, whereafter a fast Taipans start, the Kings steadied and claimed a 14-point win.

The last time the two sides met was in early January, in another thriller that saw the Phoenix record a franchise-record 124 points in the win. South East Melbourne have had the upper hand in the matchup this season and will be chasing a clean sweep against the Kings on Sunday.

Sunday’s result could determine who sits atop the ladder at the end of the round.

TEAMS

Phoenix

The Phoenix will go in unchanged into Sunday’s game.

Kings

The Kings go into Sunday’s game unchanged.

KEEP ANEYE ON

Coach of the Year battle

It’s not just a battle on the floor between MVP contendersNathan Sobey and Kendric Davis — the sidelines will be just as compelling. JoshKing has transformed the Phoenix into genuine championship contenders in just his second season, while Brian Goorjian has engineered a remarkable turn around for the Kings after a slow start. It’s coach vs coach in a genuine heavy weight chess match.

HISTORY

Head-to-Head
Phoenix 6-16 Kings

Last timeout – Rd15, NBL26
Phoenix 124-117 Kings

Phoenix
Sobey 26p
Hunter 23p
Glover 18p

Kings
Davis 30p
Dellavedova 20p
Maluach 15p

GAME DAYHUB

Coming to the game on Sunday? Make sure to arrive at 1pm when doors open to not miss outon all the fun outside gate 6 with Phoenix Fest. CLICK HERE or the image below to see what is happening at the game.