DREWITT’S BULBS MATCH PREVIEW: Top-of-the-table clash to close out HoopsFest

It’s first versus second in the final game of HoopsFest in Perth, as the Phoenix take on the Adelaide 36ers on Sunday afternoon.

Key Details

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX (16-8) 2nd vs ADELAIDE 36ERS(19-5)
Where: RAC Arena, Perth
When: Sunday, January 18 at 2:30pm AEDT
Watch: 10 | ESPN

Following three games in a week, Josh King’s side have re-grouped before heading west to Perth for the NBL’s HoopsFest.

The Phoenix are yet to record a win against Adelaide this season and will be determined to finally get one over the top-of-the-ladder 36ers in the closing game of the festival.

Both teams enter the contest off losses in the previous round. The Phoenix went down to the Perth Wildcats by 10 points in front of a packed State Basketball Centre, while the 36ers suffered an eight-point loss to the Tasmania JackJumpers in front of a sell-out crowd in Adelaide.

The last time these two sides met was in November, where thePhoenix led for much of the contest before a final-quarter surge - sparked byDJ Vasiljevic from beyond the arc - sealed the result for Adelaide.

TEAMS

Phoenix

The Phoenix will be without co-captain Nathan Sobey (illness) for Sunday's game.

36ers

The 36ers will hopefully have their new import John Jenkins who replaces Troy Brown Jr who returned home.

KEEP AN EYE ON

Who will step up in Sobey's absence?

With Nathan Sobey unavailable for the Phoenix, all eyes will be on who steps into the starting five and rises to the challenge. New import Ian Clark will be eager to show his value, while guards Angus Glover and Owen Foxwell will be tasked with leading the side as they chase a HoopsFest win.

HISTORY

Head-to-Head
Phoenix 11-13 36ers

Last timeout – Rd10, NBL26
Phoenix 81-94 36ers

Phoenix
Sobey 26p
Hunter 20p
Brown III 16p

36ers
Vasiljevic 22p
Cotton 19p
Cheatham 16p

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