Heartland Hustle: Phoenix Keen to be Back on Court Against Brisbane

Phoenix is coming off nearly a month without any games while Brisbane are looking to jump back after giving NZ Breakers their first win for the season.

Both sides will be looking to get a win with Phoenix to kick-start their season again and the Bullets looking for a little redemption.

Key Details

Brisbane Bullets v South East Melbourne Phoenix

Where: Nissan Arena

When: Saturday 15 January, 5:30pm AEDT

Watch on ESPN via Kayo or Foxtel

(The last time the two sides versed was in Round 21 for NBL 21.)

The Teams

Phoenix

New import, Brandon Ashley will not be available for Saturday’s game and will be replaced in the side by 206cm US player, Steve Taylor Jr who has been training with Phoenix for the last couple of weeks.

The remainder of the Phoenix side is unchanged from the Sydney Kings game a month ago.

Bullets

The Bullets will go in unchanged against the Phoenix, with the same side that lost to NZ Breakers.

(The two big men from China will have the eyes of the world on them when they come up against each other.)

Players to Watch

Zhou Qi v Chuanxing Liu

The two big men from China will face off with not only the NBL world watching but millions of people from China. The Chinese national team mates register a combined height of 441cm.

Zhou has had a breakout start to the season averaging 7 rebounds per game and leading the league in blocks. Chuanxing on the other hand hasn’t been able to shine on court yet with only limited minutes.

The History

Regular Season Head-to-Head:

4-4

South East Melbourne Phoenix – Brisbane Bullets

After 28 days between game the Phoenix will be looking to get their season back on track, a 3-0 start was halted in their last outing with a loss to the Sydney Kings.

The Bullets have been inconsistent to start the season, defeating the Wildcats in Perth, but then dropping a home game to the previously winless New Zealand Breakers.

Both teams will be desperate to get back in the winners circle.

(It has been 28 days since Phoenix have hit the court and they will be hoping for a win to re-start their season.)

Quotes

“Watching Brisbane also had a bit of a layoff, there’s going to be some sort of rust to get their momentum back and that’s going to be an issue for us…but we are confident that we can overcome that with our depth.”
-Phoenix Head Coach, Simon Mitchell

“It’s another great challenge just to see where we are at and compete at a high level. I think we are going to be ready; I think we are going to come in focused.”
-Brisbane Bullets Forward, Robert Franks

Phoenix Media (14 /1 /22)