Phoenix Search for Consistency in Heated Finals Race

For only the second time this season, South East Melbourne Phoenix are set to enter a game on the back of consecutive losses.

Currently third on the ladder at 13-11, the Phoenix hold a narrow edge over fourth-placed Sydney at 12-12 and fifth-placed Illawarra at 12-13, setting up a crucial clash on Thursday night at home against the Kings.

The clash presents the perfect opportunity to reconsolidate the Phoenix’s title aspirations in NBL21 after dropping back-to-back games last week.

The team shot the ball at a 44 per cent clip from the field and 32 per cent from distance over the two losses but finished both games with momentum, albeit too late.

Coach Simon Mitchell says the team’s inability to find their best until late in the tussles was a sign of mental fatigue rather than physical.

“We’ve done that a few times over the last two years where we’ve found ourselves in an almost impossible position and we find something, but we need to find it a lot earlier,” he said post-game on Saturday.

“We looked like a fatigued ball club but I think we showed it was mental fatigue because the energy was there for the last four minutes and that’s disappointing.

(The Phoenix are in a great position to make their first finals appearance)

“It’s going to be a fairly long video session come Monday morning. Our lack of pace and lack of conviction in the first half on both sides of the ball was pretty poor.”

A longer rest between games this week should allow the Phoenix to refresh and attack the road to the finals, starting with the Kings, who they went 1-1 against on their recent road trip.

The Phoenix are putting together a far stronger defensive season than last year but coach says their consistency on that side of the floor needs to improve.

“When our offence is flowing, we tend to play a little bit better on the defensive end, we do the little things a little bitter,” Mitchell said.

“If we find ourselves a little stagnant, our communication drops off defensively and we don’t make the plays we need to make.

“It’s a mindset for us that we’re trying to build and we’ve been trying to push that message through for the whole of the season that our offence needs to be determined from our effort on the defensive floor.

“Right now I think emotionally we’re too fixated on how well we’re playing from the offensive end.”

One man who’s had no issues finding his groove throughout games is development player Izayah Le’afa.

(Le'afa is playing a key role off the bench)

The young Kiwi averaged 21.5 points and two steals over the two losses and has become one of the first called players off the bench with his consistent energy and hard-nosed style.

His play has been a welcome boost to an already talented guard rotation of Kyle Adnam, Keifer Sykes and Adam Gibson.

The team could also soon be boosted by the return of Ryan Broekhoff, who is recovering strongly from a groin strain.

“He said he’s feeling great…but we’ll be patient with him,” Mitchell said.

“We’re not going to let the moment get to us and make a rash decision. We’ve been patient with him since he came on board so we’ll continue with that outlook.

“We hope to have him next game (Sydney on Thursday night), if not then the game after.”

THURSDAY NIGHT VS SYDNEY TICKETS

Sam Bunn for Phoenix Media (19/04/2021)