Heartland Hustle: Both Phoenix and United Look to Bounce Back in Throwdown XV

Delievered by DoorDash

The two Melbourne teams are among the best in the NBL and neither has tasted defeat often this season.

As South East Melbourne and Melbourne United prepare to square off against each other in the third Throwdown of season 2021-22, both will be desperate to atone for last-start losses.

Phoenix blitzed Illawarra at the beginning of the second half, but fell away to a six-point loss, while United suffered its first double-digit defeat of the season, going down by 10, 97-87, to fellow title-contender Perth.

It makes for an intriguing contest on Sunday afternoon.

(Who will take it 2-1 in Throwdowns this season?)

Who will bounce back best? Let’s looks at the two teams.

Key Details
SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 11-6 (3rd) v MELBOURNE UNITED 13-5 (1st)
Where: John Cain Arena
When: Sunday, March 13, 2021, 3pm
Watch: FREE on 10 Peach, Kayo Freebies

The Teams

Phoenix
South East Melbourne’s shooters had PLENTY of good looks against Illawarra — the ball just refused to fall. The Phoenix took 35 three-pointers, but made just eight. Chalk it up to a dirty night, given they were in it until very late.

The Phoenix have had a week off and don’t have a single niggle to worry about, set to go in with a clean bill of health against their arch rivals. It means coach Simon Mitchell has every one of his weapons to deploy, with Mitch Creek the head of the snake, surrounded by shooters like Ryan Broekhoff, Izayah Le’Afa and Kyle Adnam, gun point guard Xavier Munford and inside giants Zhou Qi and Brandon Ashley.

(Phoenix will have a full roster after a week's rest after their tough loss to the Hawks.)

United
Three-point threat David Barlow is facing a long stint on the sidelines with an injured ankle, while big man Callum Dalton has just had surgery to repair his ACL, but United otherwise has the rest of its rotation to call on.

Melbourne was jumped by the Wildcats on Thursday night, fought back hard to take the lead, but couldn’t maintain the rage. Matthew Dellavedova sparked United on Thursday night with 13 second-quarter points, but Chris Goulding’s struggles from the field were too much for United to overcome. Goulding tends to bounce back with a vengeance, so the Phoenix must put time into him.

The Stats

Phoenix
Points: Creek, 21.35ppg (#2 in NBL)
Rebounds: Broekhoff, 6.94rpg
Assists: Munford, 4.07apg
Steals: Broekhoff, 1.59spg
Blocks: Qi, 2.2bpg (#2 in NBL)

United
Points: Lual-Acuil, 17.24ppg
Rebounds: Lual-Acuil, 9.06rpg (#3 in NBL)
Assists: Dellavedova, 6.67apg
Steals: Agada, 1.33spg
Blocks: Lual-Acuil, 2.65bpg (#1 in NBL)

Players to Watch

Zhou Qi
Big Zhou managed to stay out of foul trouble last game and he will hope that becomes the rule, rather than the exception. The Chinese sensation had his best game of the season in the first Throwdown, hammering in 24 points with a series of massive jams to go with 10 rebounds and a Phoenix record seven blocks. His partnership with Ashley in combating United towers Jo Lual-Acuil Jr and Ariel Hukporti will be vital.

(Zhou will hope for a big game up against Jo Lual-Acuil Jr.)

Ariel Hukporti
The German Next Star was played sparingly at the start of the season, but has forced the issue with coach Dean Vickerman thanks to his brilliant form. When starter Lual-Acuil Jr sits down, United loses nothing when the giant 19-year-old takes the court and his athletic presence and silky skills pose a different challenge for the Phoenix bigs.

The History

Regular Season Head-to-Head: 4 - 7

South East Melbourne Phoenix - Melbourne United

Last Time Out: Rd 12, NBL 22

Melbourne United 94-87 South East Melbourne Phoenix

Phoenix
Creek: 23 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals
Qi: 13 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks
Le’Afa: 13 points, 5 rebounds
Ashley: 13 points 5 rebounds

United
Lual-Acuil: 30 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks
Goulding: 15 points
White: 9 points, 14 rebounds

(Phoenix host United for a Throwdown this season.)

Recap

In an entertaining back and fourth game of who could put together the most runs, Phoenix started slowly, allowing United to streak out to a 13-point lead at the first break.

United dropped 30 points on the Phoenix in the opening quarter, but this team never says die, putting together a remarkable 21-straight points across the end of the first half and start of the second that gave them the lead.

But United flexed some of its championship muscle to claw back and finish strongly, with another 30 points in the last quarter. Creek was at his brilliant best, keeping the Phoenix in it and keying the big run, his 23 points bested only by United big man Jo Lual-Acuil’s 30.

Zhou backed up his big game in the first Throwdown with another strong performance on both ends inside, falling one rebound short of a double-double and adding four blocks, for good measure. Phoenix had contributors across the board, Le’afa, Ashley, Adnam and Munford all reaching double figures, but just fell short at the end.

(This will be a huge game for Phoenix to keep cementing their spot in the top 4.)

The Quote

"Being able to see Melbourne play gave us a little extra incentive and extra insight and some of the things that Perth did to obtain their win gives us a chance to incorporate some methods there as well. From a preparation standpoint, it’s just another game, it always has been. Where it’s not just another game is when you turn up on game night and there’s a bigger crowd, there’s a bigger hype, there’s something in the air that anything could happen. That’s not the week leading in, the week leading in is methodical.”
—Phoenix coach Simon Mitchell

“In good health, which is fantastic, obviously Cal and Barlow are medium to long term (injured), but the guys we’ve got on the floor, there’s a good edge about them. We expect them (Phoenix) to come out and, with a week’s preparation, Simon will have them ready.”
—United coach Dean Vickerman

CLICK HERE for tickets to the Throwdown

Please note that the Eastern Car Park is sold out, parking will be available at Yarra Park or City Parking. Public Transport is encouraged.

Phoenix Media (12/3/22)