Game Preview: Throwdown V Heads to Bendigo

Opponent: Melbourne United

Where: Bendigo Basketball Stadium

When: 3:00pm AEDT

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

Live Updates: @SEMelbPhoenix on Twitter

Memories of the opening night Throwdown boilover last season will inspire the Phoenix to repeat their heroics in Bendigo on Sunday against cross-town rivals Melbourne United.

Hot off a rare triumph in Perth on Friday night, the Phoenix face a 2-0 United in what shapes as a country Victoria blockbuster between two sides confident of playing finals hoops this season.

The fixture is the fifth Throwdown between the pair, with United currently holding a 3-1 ledger over South East Melbourne.

(The Phoenix will be riding high on confidence after beating the Wildcats)

SQUAD

Adam Gibson missed Friday night’s win with calf tightness and will be tested prior to Sunday’s game.

Mitch Creek rolled his ankle late against Perth but has pulled up well and is expected to play.

Dane Pineau remains out through injury.

SIMON MITCHELL ON MELBOURNE UNITED:

“If you start looking at just their higher profile names then you’re going to let guys like Yudai Baba and Shea Ili (off the leash). You can’t let those guys come in and beat you, you’ve got to make sure you’re prepared for everyone on that roster. Those possessions if you don’t respect the opponent one-through-10…that can be the difference between winning and losing.

“Yes, you need to put your time into (Jock) Landale and put your time into Chris (Goulding), and they’re going to take a lot of your time in preparation, but you’ve got to make sure you’re covering for everybody.”

SIMON MITCHELL ON RETURNING TO VICTORIA:

“It’s going to be great for us to get home. We haven’t been in Victoria since the first of January and to be back home and sleep in our beds is going to be something we’ll enjoy.

“The chance to play in front of our fans and the people in Victoria is something we’ve missed. Even in our pre-season games, you always look forward to going out to the local stadiums and getting a bit of a grass-roots feel about it and we missed that this year. We can’t wait to get back in front of the people of Victoria and Melbourne, the South-East of Melbourne specifically, and play some good hoops for them.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Superstar Mitch Creek loves stepping up for a cross-town rivalry, famously scoring 28 points and hitting a dagger three in the Phoenix’s first ever NBL game last season against United.

Reuben Te Rangi and Cam Gliddon will be tasked with the responsibilities of going head-to-head with Scotty Hopson and Chris Goulding and will need to bring their A-game.

OPPOSITION REPORT

United entered the year as title favourites and have won both of their two games to this point of the season over Adelaide and Cairns on the road.

Their roster is stacked with talent. Jock Landale is a dominant force at centre, Chris Goulding is a lights-out shooter and Mitch McCarron and Shea Ili are defensive menaces at the guard spots.

Import wing Scotty Hopson has started the year slowly but when up and running is one of the best players in the NBL, while his forward partner, former Duke University captain Jack White, boasts elite athleticism.

United’s depth of talent means opposition sides will have to compete for the full 40 minutes to come away with the win.                                                                                                                                                              

HISTORY VS. OPPOSITION

Head-to-Head Record:

Phoenix 1 United 3

NBL20:

Phoenix def United 91-88

United 110 def Phoenix 98

United 96 def Phoenix 95

United 109 def Phoenix 90

Sam Bunn for Phoenix Media (30/01/2021)