Heartland Hustle: Phoenix Celebrate Milestones’ Against the Hawks

After three rounds where they have found themselves either travelling back from Perth or New Zealand before a home game, this round, the Phoenix has had the luxury of spending the week at home preparing for the Illawarra Hawks.

The game will have extra meaning for foundation players and co-captains Mitch Creek and Kyle Adnam as they play their 300th and 200th NBL games, respectively.

Illawarra Hawks will be looking to bounce back after a heartbreaking loss against the Sydney Kings last week.

(Phoenix were undermanned when they met the Hawks in Round 2 giving them their one and only win for the season.)

Key Details
SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 6-5 (4th) v ILLAWARRA HAWKS 1-9 (10th)
Where: John Cain Arena
When: Sunday, November 27 at 4 pm AEDT
Watch on ESPN via Kayo or Foxtel

The Line-Up

Phoenix

Phoenix will go into the game without big man Zhou Qi recovering from a calf injury. Tohi Smith-Milner will be his replacement player.

Kyle Adnam is suffering from a minor knee sprain and will be a game day decision.

Hawks

The Hawks will hope to regain import Peyton Siva who was a late out last game due to a calf injury. Michael Frazier II will play his first game for the Hawks since arriving as the replacement of George King.

The Key Match Up

Ryan Broekhoff v Tyler Harvey

While they may not match up directly, their teams are far more potent when both of these players hit their shots from behind the arc.

Broekhoff hit consecutive threes last week as the Phoenix blew open the Throwdown in the third quarter with a 17-0 run.

Harvey was the reason the Hawks were on the game until the final buzzer against the Kings last week, scoring 32 points.

(Broekhoff will need to be on point as he gets his rhythm back after a minor hamstring setback a couple of weeks ago.)

The History

Regular Season Head-to-Head:
South East Melbourne Phoenix 8-5 Illawarra Hawks

Last time out – Rd 2, NBL23
Phoenix 72–85 Hawks

Phoenix
Madut 21p
Williams 13p
Creek 12p

Hawks
Harvey 22p
King 16p
Froling 11p

The Difference Makers

Mitch Creek

Playing his 300th game, Creek will be looking for a big one. He is averaging 22.27 points, two assists and six rebounds this season and is locked in a battle with Perth's Bryce Cotton for the scoring title; Creek is currently .27 ahead of Cotton.

Michael Frazier II

The Hawks have been undermanned, but with the addition of Frazier II, they will be looking to him to pick up some of the scoring slack. Frazier II told nbl.com.au he was keen to showcase his true abilities and help the Hawks bounce back from their 1-9 start to the new season.

(Co-captain's Creek and Adnam will play their 300th and 200th NBL game on Sunday.)

The Entertainment

Doors Open – at 3 pm

Phoenix fans can pledge a donation for every 3-pointer a Phoenix player scores during the game. CLICK HERE to make your pledge.

Make sure you get involved in our Firestarter moment just before tip-off. All Phoenix fans, get off your seats and make some noise as the game starts. Stay on your feet until the band stops playing and sing along. Bring the energy!

At three-quarter time, one lucky fan can shoot a half-court shot for a brand-new MG.

If you attend the game and are a Phoenix member, you will get ten entries for the chance to win an MG at the final home game of the season.

How to Get to the Fire Pit

Plan your trip to John Cain Arena HERE.

Pre-book your parking at the Eastern Car Park, as it will sell out quickly for Sunday afternoon. CLICK HERE to book.

If travelling via public transport, please note buses replace trains on sections of the Alamein, Belgrave, Lilydale, Glen Waverley, Pakenham, Cranbourne, and Upfield lines this weekend. To plan your journey, www.ptv.vic.gov.au

(Fans can pledge a donation for every 3-pointer any Phoenix player makes on Sunday, with proceeds going to Starlight Foundation.)

Quotes

"We will come out Sunday refreshed and ready to go. They might be 1-8 or 8-1; it doesn't matter what they are; they are the Illawarra Hawks and full of stars. They have a culture behind them that is relentless. They're going to be that tough. Regardless of the score line or where we stand on the ladder, we're another team. If we treat them to their win-loss record, we will get our arses kicked. So, we got to go out there and take care of business." – Mitch Creek

CLICK HERE to secure your seats to Sunday's game.

Phoenix Media (26/11/22)