DREWITT'S BULBS MATCH PREVIEW: Phoenix Look to Bounce Back in Throwdown XXVII

Key Details

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX (7-9) 8th vs. MELBOURNE UNITED (12-6) 2nd
Where: The Fire Pit, John Cain Arena
When: Sunday, December 15 at 2:30pm AEDT
Watch: Live and free on 10 & 10 Play | Throwdown will air live in full on Fox Sports 507 and Kayo, and will be joined-in-progress on EPN after the NBA Cup Semi-Final

VERY LIMITED SEATS STILL REMAIN! CLICK HERE TO SECURE YOUR SEAT TO BASKETBALL'S BIGGEST RIVALRY

The Throwdown series for NBL25 is tied at 1-1, with both teams looking to take the series lead when they hit the court on Sunday afternoon.

The Phoenix had a disappointing loss in Brisbane to the Bullets; after giving up a lead at half-time, they fell by eight points. 

South East Melbourne’s first win came from Throwdown XXVI, and they’ll be looking to get a win in their home Throwdown.

FOXY!!! 🦊🙂‍↕️

📺 ESPN via Kayo | 10 Bold & 10 Play pic.twitter.com/jd2otClUJK

— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) October 20, 2024

Their crosstown rivals, Melbourne United, also fell to the Bullets in round 11 by eight points.

Four players scored over 20 points in the loss, led by import forward Matt Hurt with 27 points, followed by captain Nathan Sobey with 25 points and point guards Angus Glover and Owen Foxwell with 20 points apiece.

United are without their captain, Chris Goulding, who is sidelined with a calf injury, but that hasn't deterred the other Melbourne team, with players like Rob Lowe stepping up in their leader's absence. 

Dean Vickerman's team are also coming off a loss, going down to Illawarra Hawks on Friday night by 13 points.

TEAMS

Phoenix

The Phoenix will regain import point guard Derrick Walton Jr, who has missed the past two games due to illness.

United

United will be without their captain, Chris Goulding, as he misses with a calf injury. Centre import Marcus Lee will be a game time decision for Sunday's Throwdown after missing United's game on Friday due to a back complaint.

KEEP AN EYE ON

Nathan Sobey finding his feet

Captain Nathan Sobey had a slow start to his time with the Phoenix, but in the last two games, he has scored a combined 51 points. The guard finally shows his offensive prowess, which he is known for, and his double-down defence, which coach Josh King likes to see from his team.

HISTORY

Regular Season Head-to-Head
Phoenix 7-16 United

Last time out – Rd5, NBL25
Phoenix 93-84 United

Phoenix
Hunter 20p
Hurt 18p
Sobey 16p

United
Clark 19p
Goulding 16p
Cameron 12p

GAME DAY HUB

CLICK HERE or the image below to get your up-to-date game day information for Throwdown XXVII on Sunday.