Game Preview: Phoenix Look to Turn Tables on 36ers

Opponent: Adelaide 36ers

When: Wednesday Jan 20 - 7:30pm AEDT

Where: Adelaide Entertainment Centre

Broadcast: ESPN, SBS on Demand, Twitch, NBL TV

Live updates: @SEMelbPhoenix on Twitter

 

South East Melbourne Phoenix will be hungry to bounce back from Sunday’s double overtime heartbreaker against the 36ers with a rematch on Wednesday night in Adelaide.

It was the Phoenix’s first regular season game in 336 days and early rust was to be expected. Now with a tough hit out under their belt, the team expects a stronger performance in game two.

Debutants Yanni Wetzell and Keifer Sykes have been the talk of the Heartland this week after their stellar outings in round one and the pair will again be a key to the away team’s chances tomorrow night.

A win will see the Phoenix take a 1-1 record into their two-game Perth road trip before returning to Victoria to face cross-town rivals Melbourne United in Bendigo. The 36ers are hoping to improve their standing to 2-1 but will have to do so without youngster Josh Giddey.

(Kyle Adnam and Josh Giddey tussling on Sunday)

 

Simon Mitchell:

“The group’s fine (physically). Obviously, you’ve got to take some precautions after an extended game like that but our physio has gone through the group, the guys have been compliant with their rehabilitation, and they’re ready to go.

“We’re ready to get that second game and it can’t come soon enough.

“We were disappointed that we left 14 points at the free throw line, missed a whole bunch of dollies around the basket and some open jump shots as well, and blew some defensive assignments, which is probably the most important part for us.

“The guys will focus on getting back on the floor and getting another shot at Adelaide.”

 

Yanni Wetzell:

“I think it was a decent performance but as coach touched on, we didn’t quite put the complete package together and the most important thing is winning, so it’s a bit frustrating we didn’t come away with that when we had plenty of opportunities down the line.

“You’ve got to take what you can get from it and we’re just looking forward to the next matchup, it can’t come soon enough.

“It was a great game (personally) and great confidence booster for me as a first-year pro and I’m looking forward to moving on.

“I still left a few points on the board – a couple chippies around the rim that I missed and obviously down the line in the most important plays I didn’t come through, so it’s something I definitely want to improve on and hopefully never make that mistake again.”

 

SQUAD

The Phoenix escaped the double overtime marathon without any injury concerns, so will again take the full squad (minus Dane Pineau) into the game.

 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Import big Ben Moore experienced foul trouble in round one, limiting his minutes and impact on the game.

Moore is an impact defender, strong rebounder, and handy scorer, so will be looking to have a big influence in his second NBL game as he becomes accustomed to his new surroundings.

"Ben’s been phenomenal in pre-season, he’s so versatile for us," Simon Mitchell said.

"He’s a hell of a basketball player and it’s unfortunate the fans of the league didn’t get to see the best of Ben Moore the other night but I’m sure we’ll get to see him tomorrow."

Keifer Sykes (18 points, 11 assists) and Yanni Wetzell (24 points, 10 rebounds) starred in their league debuts on Sunday and will attempt to go one better with a win on Wednesday night.

 

OPPOSITION REPORT

Adelaide enter the fixture with a 1-1 record, losing to Melbourne United before overcoming the Phoenix in round one.

After a stellar performance in the double overtime thriller on Sunday, Next Star guard Josh Giddey will miss tomorrow’s clash following the heavy head knock he took on a dunk late in the game. Former NBA guard Donald Sloan and rising talent Sunday Dech will take on added responsibility without Giddey in the line-up.

Big man Daniel Johnson scored 33 points against the Phoenix on Sunday and 27 points on Melbourne United two days prior, proving a headache for defences early in NBL21. Limiting his scoring will be a key to turning things around.

 

HISTORY VS. OPPOSITION

Head-to-Head Record:

36ers 3 - Phoenix 1

NBL21:

36ers 116 def Phoenix 108

NBL20:

Phoenix 101 def 36ers 91

36ers 103 def Phoenix 91

36ers 113 def Phoenix 111

 

 

Sam Bunn for Phoenix Media (19/01/2021)