DREWITT’S BULBS MATCH PREVIEW: Phoenix hunt clean sweep in Tasman clash against Breakers

The Phoenix head to New Zealand for their final regular-season road trip, taking on the Breakers on Thursday night in Auckland.

Key Details

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS (11-18) 7th vs. SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX (20-9) 3rd
Where: Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland
When: Thursday, February 5 at 5:30pm AEDT
Watch: ESPN

With four games remaining in the NBL26 regular season, every matchup is pivotal for the Phoenix as they push to secure a top-two finish heading into the postseason.

Josh King’s side embark on their final road trip of the season to New Zealand, where they are currently 3-0 against the Breakers and chasing a season clean sweep inNBL26.

The Phoenix are coming off an important win over the Adelaide 36ers to remain one game behind the league leaders, alongside the Sydney Kings.

The Breakers enter Thursday night’s clash desperate for a win to keep their finals hopes alive and close the gap on sixth place. After a heartbreaking two-point loss to an injury-riddled Tasmania JackJumpers, every remaining game is crucial for the Kiwi side.

The last time the two teams met was in January at a sold-out State Basketball Centre, where the Breakers pushed the Phoenix deep into the contest before the home side held on for a seven-point win.

TEAMS

Phoenix

The Phoenix will go into Thursday's game unchanged.

Breakers

The Breakers will also go into the game unchanged.

KEEP ANEYE ON

NextStar Battle

All eyes will be on Next Stars Malique Lewis and Karim López as they go head-to-head in Auckland in a high-profile NBA Draft showcase. Both are coming off standout Round 19 performances: López exploded for a career-high32 points in the win over Melbourne United, equalling former Next Star LaMelo Ball’s record, while Lewis continues his return to form after missing a month mid-season with injury, scoring 11 points and knocking down 3-of-4 from deep.

HISTORY

Head-to-Head
Phoenix 16-7 Breakers

Last timeout – Rd18, NBL26
Phoenix 123-116 Breakers

Phoenix
Clark 24p
Iwundu 23p
Sobey 19p

Breakers
Mennenga 28p
Jackson-Cartwright 26p
Brockington 15p