Heartland Hustle: Phoenix Look to Close Blitz With a Win

In the wake of a last-second defeat at the hands of New Zealand Breakers, South East Melbourne will look to close out their NBL Blitz campaign with a mini-Throwdown against Melbourne United.

A victory over the Sydney Kings was followed by two narrow losses to the Illawarra Hawks and the Breakers, leaving the Phoenix’s record at 1-2 as they take on their cross-town rivals in a bid to square their pre-season win-loss ledger.

(Mitch Creek cheers on his teammates during the NBL Blitz.)

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Towering centre Zhou Qi is a notable absentee after he was called up for national duty, joining the Chinese squad for their FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers against Japan.

Zhou will be back in Melbourne for the start of the Phoenix’s regular season campaign but, in the meantime, Dane Pineau will see some extra minutes at centre, after getting through his pre-season debut against the Breakers unscathed.

Zhou’s absence could also open the door for more minutes for DP Tristan Forsyth or see new import Devin Thomas hit the floor for the Phoenix for the first time, after arriving in Melbourne on Thursday night.

(DP Tristan Forsyth could see an increase in minutes in the absence of Zhou Qi.)

The one-two point guard punch of captain Kyle Adnam (21 points) and Xavier Munford (20) will hope to carry their form against the Breakers into a match up with United’s Matthew Dellavedova.

Marquee man Mitch Creek had 18 points on an efficient 8-11 shooting and hit the late go-ahead basket against New Zealand, before Finn Delany pulled off a circus shot at the buzzer.

After an interrupted first season in the Fire Pit, look for sharpshooter Ryan Broekhoff to close out the Blitz with a bang.

“It feels like season one,” Broekhoff said. “Last season was very interrupted. Coming in half way wasn't easy.

“Trying to find fitness and form and meet expectations for myself was rough.

“This honestly feels like my first season, now I’ve got a pre-season under my belt and starting to feel good.”

OPPOSITION SCOUT

United sports the same 1-2 record as the Phoenix after they fell to the Hawks in their last outing.

Forward Jack White is set to miss again as he continues to recover from an Achilles rupture.

Pineau and Forsyth will have their hands full with United big men Jo Lual-Acuil and NBL Next Star Ariel Hukporti, while the aforementioned point guard duel is one not to be missed.

Veteran Chris Goulding had 19 points against the Hawks and will require close-checking from the Phoenix wings.

(The battle of the point guards will be a tantilising match-up against United.)

KEY DETAILS

To watch the game sign up to a Kayo account, all NBL Blitz games are being broadcast free via Kayo Freebies.
Tip-off: 3pm AEDT.
Where: Melbourne Sports Centre - Parkville
Broadcast: Kayo Freebies.

Phoenix Media (26/11/2021)