NBL22 Marquee Matchups: Melbourne Throwdown

No rivalry is bigger in the upcoming NBL22 season than the Throwdown.

Emerging contenders South East Melbourne Phoenix and defending champions Melbourne United will duel it out four times at John Cain Arena across the 2021/22 season.

Phoenix fans get the opportunity to dominate the grandstands in home games on February 10 and March 13.

The cross-town rivalry began in 2019 when the Phoenix shocked the league with an opening night upset victory over United in their first ever NBL game.

Phoenix star Mitch Creek hit the dagger three-pointer that night and again was amongst the action when hostilities reached boiling point in last season’s semi-final series two years later.

“I don’t like Melbourne United, everyone knows that.” – Mitch Creek.

Creek and his fourth-seeded Phoenix outfit pushed the eventual champions to the limit in the best-of-three series, getting under the skin of their opponents and testing them late into game three.

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Phoenix coach Simon Mitchell recently revealed the team will watch the thrilling series as a group this pre-season to stoke the fire that ignited during last seasons semi-final series.

The only thing missing from the first finals instalment of the Throwdown rivalry was the passionate fans from each side willing their team on.

“The Melbourne rivalry is a game you get up for and it was taken to a new level in the finals.” – Ryan Broekhoff.

COVID-19 impacts saw the series played in front of limited spectators in Sydney, but no such issues should transpire in NBL22, setting up four blockbuster events at John Cain Arena.

Another exciting boost will be the introduction of new superstars representing both clubs in their first experience of Throwdown hoops.

Chinese star Zhou Qi and ex-NBA guard Xavier Munford will square off with NBA Champion and Boomers guard Matthew Dellavedova in a bitter matchup that many forecast could be the modern answer to the old South East Melbourne Magic / Melbourne Tigers bouts for years to come.

“The Throwdown is always a big spectacle for Melbourne basketball and us as players.” – Kyle Adnam.

Both teams won multiple games in their regular season matchups last season, including a memorable overtime win on a night the Phoenix were heavily undermanned.

To secure seats to both home Throwdowns and the remaining home fixtures, plus priority access to finals tickets, become a Phoenix member today!

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Phoenix Media (21/10/2021)