Game Preview: Phoenix Head to Perth for a Date with the Wildcats

Opponent: Perth Wildcats

When: Sunday 24 Jan – 5:00pm AEDT

Where: RAC Arena, Perth

Broadcast: SBS Viceland, SBS On Demand, Twitch, NBL TV

Live Updates: @SEMelbPhoenix on Twitter

Fresh off a road win over Adelaide, South East Melbourne Phoenix are headed to Perth to face the reigning champion Wildcats on Sunday at RAC Arena.

A blockbuster guard matchup between Keifer Sykes and Wildcat Bryce Cotton will be unmissable action, with the game tipping off at 5.00pm Melbourne time on SBS Viceland.

It’s set to be a big night in the West, as the Wildcats take the floor for the first time since their 2020 title and come up against a Phoenix team brimming with confidence after getting their first win of NBL21.

Sunday’s fixture is the first of two clashes between the clubs, with a rematch in Round 3 scheduled for next Friday night.

(Sykes' dunk over Isaac Humphries sent shockwaves through the NBL)

SIMON MITCHELL:

“We haven’t seen them with the full squad all in one go. In the early stages of the season, there’s always going to be an air of mystery about your opposition, after you’ve played them once and then a second time and third time, you become really familiar.

“We’ve just got to key in on what we need to work on and then deal with the Wildcats secondarily after that. It’s really important in Perth to continue to attack the rim, get yourself to the free throw line and quieten the crowd a little bit.

“There was some really good signs (against Adelaide), defensively I thought there were some great signs and we’ve just got to finish off our good work at that end of the floor, make sure we take care of the defensive boards and get running. We gave up way too many offensive boards and second chance opportunities.”

SQUAD

The Phoenix departed Adelaide with a clean bill of health and will take the full squad to Perth.

Dane Pineau is still listed as out.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Following an eye-catching opening week from Phoenix point guard Keifer Sykes, all eyes will be on his mouth-watering matchup with reigning MVP Bryce Cotton. Both stars are capable of scoring buckets from all spots on the floor and will be desperate to earn bragging rights over their opponent. Sykes is averaging 21 points and 9.5 assists over two games.

Kyle Adnam has also enjoyed a hot start to the year, averaging 15.5 points in just 20 minutes of action.

OPPOSITION REPORT

The Wildcats are yet to feature in the regular season so will enter Sunday’s game as a bit of an unknown.

There’s been plenty of movement on the Perth roster, with Boomers gun Nick Kay and import stars Miles Plumlee and Tericco White departing after their championship triumph last year. American big John Mooney is an important inclusion, as is wing Todd Blanchfield.

The one constant of course, is superstar and reigning MVP Bryce Cotton. Limiting his influence will be just as important in ever to overcome the Wildcats in NBL21.

HISTORY VS. OPPOSITION

Head-to-Head Record:

Perth 3 Phoenix 0

NBL20:

Perth 110 def Phoenix 79

Perth 108 def Phoenix 98

Perth 97 def Phoenix 71

Sam Bunn for Phoenix Media (23/01/2021)