Heartland Hustle: Phoenix Head West For Final Game

South East Melbourne Phoenix had a huge comeback win over Adelaide in their final home game and are hoping to finish off their season with a win in the jungle.

Meanwhile Perth Wildcats are fighting for the fourth spot and finals contention after losing to Illawarra on Friday night. 

Check out the latest from each side.

(The Phoenix finished off their home season strong with a win for the fans over the 36ers.)

Key Details
PERTH WILDCATS 16 – 11 (4th) v SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 14 – 13 (6th)
Where: RAC Arena
When: Sunday April 24, 5:30pm AEST
Watch live on ESPN via Kayo or Foxtel  

The Teams

Phoenix

Phoenix will be without Ryan Broekhoff who has been ruled out of the remainder of the season due to injury. Lachlan Barker is the nominated replacement player.

Wildcats

The Wildcats will be without star Vic Law who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a syndesmosis injury to his right ankle in the Round 20 win over Cairns Taipans. 

(Kyle Adnam scored a game high 24 points last time the teams met.)

Players to Watch

Cam Gliddon v Michael Frazer II

Without star Ryan Broekhoff, Cam Gliddon has had to step up for the last month. This was evident in Friday night’s win over the 36ers where he hit 6 important three’s that got Phoenix back in the game and had a season high 24 points. 

Frazer II has come under scrutiny lately, and with no Vic Law in the side, he is one that has to step up. He will be important for his side as they fight for their spot in the final series. 

Last 5

Phoenix: LLWLW
Wildcats: LWLW

The Stats

Phoenix
Points: M Creek, 21.04ppg (#2 in NBL)
Rebounds: Q Zhou, 6.82rpg
Assists: X Munford, 4apg
Blocks: Q Zhou, 2.09bpg (#3 in NBL)
Steals: R Broekhoff, 1.56spg

Wildcats
Points: B Cotton, 22.38ppg (#1 in NBL)
Rebounds: V Law, 8.19rpg
Assists: B Cotton, 4.81apg
Blocks: V Law, 1.31bpg
Steals: B Cotton, 1.54spg

The History

Regular Season Head-to-Head: 3 – 7 
South East Melbourne Phoenix – Perth Wildcats

Last time out – Rd 13, NBL22
Phoenix 86 – Wildcats 80

Phoenix
Adnam 24p
Creek 22p
Le’afa 12p

Wildcats
Law 22p
Cotton 15p
Hodgson 10p

(Mitch Creek will look to replicate his round 13 form where he scored 22 points.)

Recap

In a big game for Phoenix’s annual Starlight Game, they did not disappoint. Phoenix kept star Bryce Cotton scoreless for the first half with Phoenix leading by 14 points at half time. 

The Wildcats fought back making it 80 a piece in the final quarter before free throws from Kyle Adnam and Brandon Ashley got Phoenix over the line and a 6-point win in Round 13. 

Quotes

“They’ve been in a similar boat to us, it’s been rough on them. They had that real long trip away from home and I think the expectation from people is you go back home and start winning and that’s not how this league works…They’ve had it tough since they went home, I am not sure where they are sitting right now, I think they might need to win a couple of games to solidify their play off position. But they’ll be a challenge, we will try to take that away from them, that’ll be fantastic for us, to be responsible for ending that streak.” -Phoenix coach Simon Mitchell on heading west to take on Perth

“The message is always the same. We want to win every game. Everyone knows what needs to happen for us to keep playing. Everyone wants to keep playing, and everyone’s going to empty their tank and give it all they have…If we can build on this effort and get the job done on Sunday then I will definitely take it as a big positive, the improvements that we’ve had. I know we’re capable, I believe in the guys in there. They need to believe in themselves, because the showed tonight their capable of taking it to another notch.”
-Wildcats coach Scott Morrison on the scenario a head for them

Phoenix Media (23/04/2022)