Heartland Hustle: Phoenix Ready for United in Throwdown XIV

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The rivalry between the South East Melbourne Phoenix and Melbourne United is one that has in three years become as fierce as any in the NBL.

The minute the Phoenix played and won their first NBL game against United the spark of the rivalry was lit.

Throughout year one that spark became a flame, but it was the final series in year two when that flame became a fire. 

In just their second year, the Phoenix found themselves in the NBL finals, and the opponent they faced just happened to be United. 

A tough three game series saw fire burning brightly. 

(The dunk that stopped the basketball and sporting worlds.)

Then came Throwdown XIII, and that flame became a raging inferno. The first Throwdown of the season had it all, a hot start from the Phoenix, a come-back from United, and the most disrespectful dunk in NBL history, and a 94-86 win by the Phoenix.

Key Details
MELBOURNE UNITED 9-4 (1ST) v SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 8-4 (3RD)
Where: John Cain Arena
When: Thursday, 7.30pm
Watch on ESPN via Kayo or Foxtel 
 
The Teams

Phoenix
The Phoenix have been wracked by illness the last four games, multiple key players have missed as a result of covid protocols. Izayah Le’afa against the Kings and Mitch Creek against the Jack Jumpers were hit by gastro in the last two home games 

The last four weeks the Phoenix have fought hard to register two wins and two losses, and for the first time in over a month they have a full list available for Thursday night.

Tohi Smith-Milner will play his 100th NBL game and is significant with playing for both sides in Throwdowns.

United
United will be at full strength.

(Xavier Munford will return Thursday night after being out due to Covid Protocols.)
 
Players to Watch
 
Ryan Broekhoff v Chris Goulding

Broekhoff has been the key factor in each of the team's last two wins, dominating on the boards and being one of the team’s best defenders and a dominate force on the boards, all the while keeping the scoreboard ticking over.

The NBL's resident villain has been hot and cold this season, an 0-14 game was followed by 5-10 from three, then a 3-13 last start against the Wildcats.

The contributions of Goulding and Broekhoff will go a long way to deciding the outcome of this one.

(Ryan Broekhoff has had three stellar games and will be hoping to continue his form into Throwdown XIV.)

Last 5
Phoenix: WLWLW
United: WWLLW
 
The Stats
Phoenix
Points: M Creek, 21.3ppg (#2 in NBL)
Rebounds: Z Qi, 7.1rpg
Assists: X Munford, 4.2apg
Blocks: Z Qi, 2.3bpg (#2 in NBL)
Steals: R Broekhoff, 1.8spg
 
United
Points: J. Lual-Acuil 16.6ppg
Rebounds: J. Lual-Acuil 9.9rpg (#1 in NBL)
Assists: M. Dellavedova 5.5apg
Blocks:  J. Lual-Acuil 2.8bpg (#1 in NBL)
Steals: C. Agada 1.6spg
 
The History
 
Regular Season Head-to-Head: 4 – 6 
South East Melbourne Phoenix - Melbourne United  
 
Last time out – Rd 2
Phoenix 94 – United 86
 
Phoenix
Top scorers
Zhou Qi 22 points
Mitch Creek 16 points
Xavier Munford 16 points
Ryan Broekhoff 14 points
 
United
Top Scorers
Matthew Dellavedova 19 points
Jo Lual-Acuil 17 points
Caleb Agada 16 points

(Zhou Qi taking a dunk over United in Throwdown XIII.)

Recap

If the last time these two teams met at John Cain Arena is anything to go by fans of both sides will be in for another thriller Thursday night.

The last time the two Melbourne rival sides met, it was one for the history books. Creek’s dunk over Dellavedova became the talk of the basketball and sporting world accumulating over 10 million views.

Phoenix has had players and even the head coach revolving through the door due to Covid protocols, but they will be at full-strength for the first time in over a month.

Jo Lual-Acuil has been the standout for United recently sitting number one in the NBL stats for rebounds and blocks, Zhou Qi got the better of him last start and this battle will again go a long way to deciding the outcome.

(Phoenix will looking to beat the top side in Throwdown XIV on Thursday night.)

Quotes
 
“They’re a great team and every time we get together it’s always a physical battle. The fans, the players, everyone sort of really goes to another level, I feel like in those games.”
-Phoenix Captain Kyle Adnam on Throwdown XIV against United

“We need a couple of tough practices in preparation for that one, we saw some disruptive zones from Perth (Saturday night) and South East sat in their zone a fair bit the other night. We just got to be ready for anything and look forward to the challenge.”
-United Coach, Dean Vickerman after the win against Perth

Phoenix Media (16/2/22)