DREWITT’S BULBS MATCH PREVIEW: Phoenix look to bounce back in Gippsland

Key Details

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX (10-6) 3rd vs NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS (7-10) 6th
Where: Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium, Traralgon
When: Saturday, December 13 at 8pm AEDT
Watch: ESPN

TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE FOR THE GAME! CLICK HERE TO SECURE YOUR SEATS!

The Phoenix entered Gippsland with fire in their eyes but left Wednesday night stung by a determined Tasmania outfit. After controlling the opening term, South East Melbourne saw the JackJumpers snatch momentum and, ultimately, the game - fuelled by a Traralgon crowd that sounded more like a playoff cauldron.

Now comes the shot at redemption.

Back in Traralgon for Game 2 in the Latrobe Valley and rocking their special-edition Space Jam 30th Anniversary jerseys, the Phoenix will look to turn Wednesday’s frustration into Saturday night fireworks.

But the Breakers aren’t coming to be extras in anyone’s feature film.

New Zealand have quietly found their groove across recent rounds, highlighted by a gritty seven-point win over the JackJumpers in Round 11. With only one game on their Round 12 slate, the Breakers arrive fresh, focused, and fully intent on extending their surge.

TEAMS

Phoenix

The Phoenix will go in unchanged from Wednesday's game.

Breakers

The Breakers will go in unchanged into tomorrow's game.

KEEP AN EYE ON

Sam Mennenga

The 206cm Kiwi tower has been a revelation for the Breakers, stuffing the stat sheet with 16.6 points and 7.4 rebounds a night. Mennenga brings skill, strength, and an unshakable motor, exactly the blend that can tilt a game if left unchecked.

It’ll be a true interior battle as Jordi Hunter, Akech Aliir, Gorjok Gak, and the relentless John Brown III take turns trying to cool down one of the league’s most in-form bigs. Keep Mennenga quiet, and the Phoenix keep themselves firmly in the winner’s frame.

HISTORY

Head-to-Head
Phoenix 14-7 Breakers

Last time out – Rd4, NBL26
Phoenix 87-81 Breakers

Phoenix
Foxwell 19p
Sobey 18p
Brown III 13p

Breakers
Mennenga 29p
Baker II 14p
Jackson-Cartwright 9p

GAME DAY HUB
Making the trip to Gippsland? Make sure you are across everything happening at the game on Saturday by CLICKING HERE or the image below.