DREWITT’S BULBS MATCH PREVIEW: Phoenix Head North, Eye Top Four Spot
13 Jan
1
min read


Key Details
CAIRNS TAIPANS (4-17) 10th v. SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX (12-10) 5th
Where: Cairns Convention Centre
When: Tuesday, January 14 at 7:30pm AEDT
Watch: ESPN
The NBL world could only applaud as the Phoenix showed their wares in a tough victory over Brisbane on Saturday, restricting the Bullets to just 32 points in the second half to now sit fifth on the standings.
Josh King’s side lifted with the absence of import point guard Derrick Walton Jr who sustained a hamstring injury in the opening quarter, to get the victory in front of a sold-out Gippsland crowd.
The Phoenix will look to take the series against the Taipans in NBL25 when they head north on Tuesday night. Phoenix captain Jordi Hunter will also celebrate his 150th NBL game when he comes up against the Taipans.
Adam Forde’s side had a narrow loss to the Sydney Kings on Sunday, going down by four points.
That is how you do your 1,000 points in style! 🫡
— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) December 7, 2024
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/9KSzMibsbS
TEAMS
Phoenix
The Phoenix will unfortunately be without import Derrick Walton Jr for the remainder of the regular season who sustained a high-grade hamstring injury in the win over the Bullets in Gippsland. DP Luke Rosendale has been elevated to the main roster spot in his absence.
Taipans
The Taipans will be without Jackson Makoi after being stood down from the team due to legal issues.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Foxy the game changer again
Owen Foxwell has started to cement himself as the game changer for the Phoenix. When Walton Jr went down, the point guards stepped up in his absence, including the 21-year-old Foxwell whose desperate, diving efforts to strip Mitch Norton of the ball earned the ire of the crowd, coaches, commentators and the NBL social team.
HISTORY
Regular Season Head-to-Head
Phoenix 10-8 Taipans
Last time out – Rd11, NBL25
Phoenix 99-94 Taipans
Phoenix
Sobey 26p
Hurt 19p
Glover 16p
Taipans
Edwards 24p
Armstrong 18p
Waardenburg 14p

23 Aug
Phoenix fall shy in tight Throwdown tussle

21 Aug
Phoenix takes on cross-town rivals in a Pre-season Throwdown

21 Aug
Phoenix partner with Sketti for the NBL26 Season

19 Aug
Your chance to meet the Phoenix at Family Day!

19 Aug
New faces shoot Phoenix to pre-season win

18 Aug
Phoenix’s first hit-out against Cairns at SBC

18 Aug
Phoenix lock-in SA1NT as official compression partner

15 Aug
Phoenix, STANLEY Tools team up for NBL26

14 Aug
Phoenix sign final import John Brown III for NBL26

11 Aug
Length and size for final spots: King

11 Aug
Phoenix playing style going to be fun: Gibson

11 Aug
Foundation is strong in South East: Derrick

10 Aug
Sobey crowns King as title trump card

10 Aug
NBL26 Phoenix SEN Membership Day

7 Aug
Phoenix sign Ellis Biggar as Development Player for NBL26

5 Aug
Phoenix sign Hunter Maldonado for NBL26 season
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