DREWITT’S BULBS MATCH PREVIEW: Phoenix return to NBL across the ditch

Key Details

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS (1-4) 9th vs. SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX (1-1) 5th
Where: Spark Arena, Auckland
When: Sunday, October 12 at 2:30pm AEDT
Watch: 10 | ESPN

The Phoenix had a once-in-a-lifetime experience last week, taking on NBA side the New Orleans Pelicans while Round 3 continued in the NBL. 

Although they didn’t come away with the win, head coach Josh King was pleased for his players to have the opportunity - and to finish the game without any injuries.

South East Melbourne sit 1-1 after their opening two games, and following a week’s break, they’ll be looking to restart their NBL26 campaign with a win on the road.

The last time the two sides met was in Canberra during the Blitz, where the Breakers defeated the Phoenix by eight points before going on to win the Blitz series.

The Breakers recorded their first win of the season on Wednesday night, defeating the reigning champs, the Illawarra Hawks, by 29 points - and they’ll be looking to carry that momentum into Sunday’s clash.

TEAMS

Phoenix

The Phoenix will go into Sunday’s game unchanged from the NBAxNBL game. Development players Ellis Biggar and Austin Foxwell have not travelled with the team, while new import Wes Iwundu is set to arrive in Australia next week.

Breakers

The Breakers will go into Sunday's game unchanged from Wednesday night's game.

KEEP AN EYE ON

The two Next Stars

Both Next Stars are chasing first-round consideration in the upcoming NBA Draft, with each forward entering their second NBL season.

Phoenix’s Malique Lewis has bulked up over the off-season and earned a starting spot in the first two games, lifting his defensive presence under the guidance of import John Brown III.

Meanwhile, the Breakers’ Karim Lopez - despite battling illness — has continued to make an impact in limited minutes, averaging 12.4 points and 5.6 rebounds across five games.

HISTORY

Regular Season Head-to-Head
Phoenix 13-7 Breakers

Last time out – Rd 17, NBL25
Phoenix 102-89 Breakers

Phoenix
Sobey 28p
Wieskamp 17p
Hurt 14rp

Breakers
Lopez 20p
Mooney 20p
Jackson-Cartwright 12p