NBL22 Marquee Matchups: Brisbane

The eyes of the world will be fixated on the NBL when South East Melbourne and Brisbane go head-to-head in NBL22.

Chinese seven-footers Zhou Qi (Phoenix) and Chuanxing Liu (Bullets) will battle it out in the paint with millions of fans watching on back home.

7’1 Zhou Qi is a superstar in China and former big man on the Houston Rockets, while Chuanxing Liu will be the tallest player in NBL history at 7’5.

Both are members of the Chinese national team.

Victorian fans will get the opportunity to see the matchup live on Thursday, March 3 at John Cain Arena in what history suggests should be a tight contest.

(A buzzing John Cain Arena will be a vastly different night compared to last season's no-crowd encounter in Cairns due to COVID-19 impacts)

The two teams hold an even 4-4 win-loss record in the rivalry’s short history and are both expected to contend for a finals spot in NBL22.

The Phoenix’s last bout with the Bullets left a sour taste in their mouths, a loss costing them third position on the NBL ladder in the final round of the NBL21 season.

There are plenty of other fresh faces adding their own spice to the matchup.

Imports Isaiah Moss and Robert Franks join star forward Lamar Patterson in a new-look trio sure to test the likes of Mitch Creek, Ryan Broekhoff and Cam Gliddon on the wings and in the frontcourt.

It’s a challenge Gliddon especially will be up for, who alongside teammate Reuben Te Rangi finds extra motivation when facing their former club.

(Gliddon played two seasons in Brisbane before joining the Phoenix)

Kiwi big man Jack Salt and former Hawk Deng Deng complement a strong local core led by last season’s MVP finalist Nathan Sobey and sharpshooters Jason Cadee and Anthony Drmic.

It sets up a tantalising fixture for hoops fans and a potentially finals altering game in the pointy end of the season between two talented squads.

Phoenix fans can lock in their seats for the game, as well as the other 13 home games, by becoming a member!

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Phoenix Media (28/10/2021)