Game Preview: Red-Hot Phoenix Face 36ers

Opponent: Adelaide 36ers

When: Tuesday Feb 23 - 7:30pm AEDT

Where: John Cain Arena, Melbourne

Tickets: CLICK HERE

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

Live Updates: @SEMelbPhoenix on Twitter

South East Melbourne Phoenix face the Adelaide 36ers tonight at John Cain Arena, setting their sights on a third consecutive victory off the back of wins over Perth and Brisbane.

The Phoenix and 36ers split the two-game series earlier in the season so will each enter the game believing they can record a victory.

SQUAD

Adam Gibson (calf) and Dane Pineau (back) remain out.

Ryan Broekhoff (hotel quarantine) will also miss.

ASSISTANT COACH JUDD FLAVELL ON THE TEAM’S FORM:

“Confidence is growing in the team all the time. It was great to win two in a row for the first time this season.

“We still feel as a group we have so much more room to continue to grow and see ourselves as a work in progress. We haven’t been as consistent as we ideally would’ve liked but we’ve also shown when we do get things right and play the brand we want to play then we’re in a good place.

“We play an up-tempo game, we move the ball, we share the ball, we’re exciting and fun to watch. If we can continue to do those things consistently then we’ll be in a good spot.”

PLAYER TO WATCH

Mitch Creek dropped 29 points on 60% shooting and put the team on his back early in the comeback win over Brisbane on Sunday.

The MVP candidate is flourishing as a power forward, grabbing rebounds, playing strong defence and setting up teammates.

There’s no stopping Mitch.

OPPOISITION REPORT – JUDD FLAVELL:

“The first thing you look at is the twin towers (Humphries and Johnson) and how good they’ve been playing. They’re a huge focus for the 36ers and a handful for opposing teams - they gave us trouble the first two times we played them.

“We’ve got to make sure we take care of those two but at the same time let’s not forget Tony Crocker, Sunday Dech…guys who are also able to have offensive contributions.

“Josh Giddey is a unique match-up. He’s a six-foot-seven playmaker so he’s a tough match-up out there and certainly with the 36ers’ size across the board they present a few issues there.

“It’s a big game for us in being able to nullify their rebounding and size.”

HISTORY VS. OPPOSITION

Head-to-Head Record:

Phoenix 2 Adelaide 3

NBL21:

36ers 116 def Phoenix 108

Phoenix 89 def 36ers 83

NBL20:

Phoenix 101 def 36ers 91

36ers 103 def Phoenix 91

36ers 113 def Phoenix 111

Sam Bunn for Phoenix Media (23/02/2021)