Home is where the Heartland is

Josh King boasts a 3-0 record in home games in playoffs, and will rely on the sixth man that is the Phoenix crowd.

The task is simple for King and the Phoenix.

“We’ve got to protect home court. We get an opportunity to play in front of our fans who’ve been great all year long,” King stated.

Nathan Sobey, the team’s MVP, averages a healthy 22 points in home games, with the 35-year-old looking to provide a spark again at the Fire Pit.

However, he won’t be doing it all himself.

Six other teammates average double digits in home games, spurred on by the raucous South East Melbourne fans.

Both Sobey and Owen Foxwell are instrumental in the scoring output of their teammates in home games this season, with the pair averaging five assists each.

As the series heads to John Cain Arena on Saturday night, the Phoenix will need to be more efficient than game one, as they attempt to return to their home average of 47 per cent from the field, as well as 36 per cent from beyond the arc.           

Ahead of game two’s ‘do-or-die’ implications for the Phoenix, King was clear in his intentions, as he firmly sets his sights on a game three. If South East Melbourne completes the task at hand, they will meet the 36ers back in Adelaide next Tuesday.

Promptly ending his own press conference, South East Melbourne’s head coach provided a six-word statement that would have Phoenix fans fired up across the nation.

“See you back here next week.”

The Phoenix get their redemption against the 36ers on Saturday at John Cain Arena in Game 2 of the Semi-Finals in a do-or-die game for the Heartland. Tickets still available via Ticketek.