Heartland Hustle: Phoenix Hit the Road to Take on Sydney

After a 3-0 start to the season the Phoenix now hit the road for an extended trip that starts in Sydney against the Kings.

The Kings will be smarting after a horror performance against United that saw them score just 5 points in the opening quarter.

Key Details

South East Melbourne Phoenix v Sydney Kings

Where: Qudos Bank Arena

When: Saturday, December 18, 2021, 5:30pm

Watch on ESPN available via Kayo/Foxtel

(Zhou Qi playing against the Sydeny Kings during NBL Blitz.)

The Teams

Phoenix

The boys from the South East are still flying high after a superb performance against arch rivals United. Zhou Qi continues to improve with every game and is only just scratching the surface, his 22 point, 10 rebound, 7 block performance lead the Phoenix, while Mitch Creek’s poster dunk provided the exclamation point.

Besides Devin Thomas who will again miss as he works his way back to fitness after his quaratine period, the Phoenix have a full squad to pick from.

Sydney

The Kings depth is being sorely tested at the moment with both RJ Hunter and Jaylen Adams in doubt for tonight. Against United they managed just 5 points in a first quarter that saw them shoot 1 of 19 from the field. 

They will be looking for a much better performance than what they delivered on Thursday night.

(Mitch Creek will look to continue his standout start to the season.)

Players to watch

Mitch Creek v Xavier Cooks

Creek has started the season in sizzling form, a 36 point career high and a dunk that's been viewed over 10 million times. Shooting 64.3% from outside the arc, Creek is an almost impossible match-up when he's shooting at that sort of clip.

Cooks put the Kings on his back in their second game against the Hawks and almost carried them to the win, he finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. 

If one of these two put up numbers it could go a long way to deciding the result.

The History

Regular season head-to-head 

1-7

South East Melbourne Phoenix - Sydney Kings

Last Time Out - NBL Blitz
Phoenix 81-75 Sydney

Phoenix
Creek 17 points
Adnam 16 points
Broekhoff 12 points

Sydney
Martin 15 points
Vodanovich 12
Cooks 10

Both teams were minus some big name stars with the Kings without import pair RJ Hunter and Jaylen Adams along with Next Star Makur Maker while the Phoenix didn’t have Cam Gliddon, Dane Pineau and Mitch Creek sat out the second half.

It was the Phoenix in control from the outset, though, leading 9-2 early on and going on to lead by as much as 19 points before ending up winning by six. 

The Phoenix showed plenty to suggest they are going to be in the hunt to back up last year's semi-final appearance and they looked especially strong with Mitch Creek on the floor, who put up 17 points in the first half including knocking down three three-pointers.

(Xavier Munford in action against Sydney in NBL Blitz.)

Quotes

“It’s been a normal week. There’s a lot of hoop-la and what not,” said Mitchell, whose side is hoping to continue its unbeaten start to the season. Players were told ‘if you want to take a fine, take it, or if you want to challenge it, make a choice’. But I think the players just want to put it behind them and start preparing for Sydney. Once that game was over, obviously there was a bit of attention brought to it afterwards, but we’ve moved on pretty quickly.”
-Phooenix Head Coach, Simon Mitchell

“The Phoenix is a great team, but we’ll be ready. We’re not going to lay an egg like this on Saturday, I can promise you that.”
-Sydney Kings Head Coach, Chase Bunford

Phoenix Media (17/12/21)