MATCH PREVIEW: Phoenix and Bullets look towards third win of the season

Key Details

BRISBANE BULLETS (2-3) 8th vs. SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX (2-4) 9th
Where: Brisbane Entertainment Centre
When: Thursday, October 15 at 7:30pm AEDT
Watch: ESPN

Both the Phoenix and Bullets will be searching for their third win of the NBL27 season when they meet in Brisbane on Thursday night.

Josh King’s side suffered a heartbreaking loss to cross-town rivals Melbourne United after leading by as much as 15 points before United fought their way back to secure the win and take a 2-0 lead in the Throwdown series.

Import D’Shawn Schwartz is finding his groove in the league and with the team, recording his best performance for the Phoenix so far in Throwdown 34 with 19 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals.

The Brisbane Bullets have been dealt an injury blow, with star import and currently the league-leader in assists, Arnas Velicka sustaining a lower-limb injury that will keep him sidelined until December.

Will Weaver’s side went down in their Queensland derby against the Cairns Taipans by six points and will be eager to bounce back in front of their home fans when they hit the court on Thursday night.

TEAMS

Phoenix

Co-captain Jordan Hunter won’t travel with the team to Brisbane as he and his wife Ali welcome the birth of their first son, August. He will be replaced by DP Pat Ryan in the side. Hunter will return to the side for Saturday’s game.

Hunter Goodrick will remain on the sidelines for the Round 5 games as he recovers from knee pain. He will be replaced by DP Ellis Biggar.

In good news, Daniel Foster will return to the team after recovering from back soreness.

Bullets

The Bullets will be without import point guard Arnas Velicka due to a lower-limb injury, alongside Sam Daniels (lower leg) and Taine Murray (lower limb), who will also remain sidelined for Thursday’s game.

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KEEP AN EYE ON

The battle of the bigs

The Phoenix bigs will face a tough challenge against the Bullets’ tall timber, Tyrell Harrison, when the two sides meet on Thursday night.

Big Yannis Morin provided a spark in the last game, scoring nine-points in just three minutes. The Phoenix bigs will need to work hard against Harrison, who is averaging 18.4 points and 9.4 rebounds per game so far in NBL27.

HISTORY

Head-to-Head
Phoenix 13–10 Bullets

Last time out – Rd 13, NBL26

Phoenix 107–78 Bullets

Phoenix
Sobey 20p
Maldonado 18p
Iwundu 13p

Bullets
Freeman-Liberty 17p
Holt 10p
Purchase 9p