Phoenix Spin the Magnets to Firm Grip on Top-Four Position

The pressure was on South East Melbourne Phoenix to bounce back in Sydney on Sunday after a disappointing loss to the Hawks on Friday night.

And bounce back they did, recording their first win over the Kings in franchise history with an emphatic 98-84 victory.

The Phoenix were clinical from start to finish, limiting themselves to only four turnovers, the lowest mark of any team this season and the best figure in the club’s history.

What made the composed performance even more impressive was the team’s 26 assists, becoming the first side to score over 90 points at Qudos Bank Arena in NBL21.

The win opens up a slight cushion between the third-placed Phoenix and the pack of chasing teams jostling for finals positions.

“I just thought the guys made a concerted effort to be careful with the ball without being a negative offensive team…I thought our patience was really good,” Phoenix Coach Simon Mitchell said post-game.

(Development player Izayah Le'afa continues to shine)

“We keep growing as a team. There’s always stuff to get better at and we continue to grow.

“It was a great win. When you’re in Sydney and get a win you’re always happy.”

Mitchell spun the magnets around pre-game, starting guards Keifer Sykes and Kyle Adnam together for the first time to throw a different challenge to Kings star Casper Ware.

Cam Gliddon was pushed to the three-spot, Izayah Le’afa was incredible again off the bench and Mitch Creek was dominant with 26 points.

“It’s horses for courses the way we run our team… it really comes down to who our opponent is,” Mitchell said.

“Reuben’s taken a seat on the bench in the last few games but he’s a good chance to be back in the starting line-up very soon.

“Yanni and Ben have been working very well in tandem, so I don’t see a need to be making changes there soon.”

Import Ben Moore has been starting alongside fellow big Yanni Wetzell in recent weeks and starring, scoring another 20 points on 9-12 shooting yesterday.

Moore leads the league in field goal percentage at a remarkable 63 per cent and is a menace on the defensive end with his length and basketball IQ.

(Moore brings NBA experience and toughness to the Phoenix)

Coach Mitchell was asked post-game whether the big was the most underrated import in the NBL and responded emphatically.

“Not in our clubhouse, we love him.

"I tell him all the time that we’re still just scratching the surface of his abilities.

“He’s a wonderful player, a touch matchup and he’s so good at so many things. He’s a playmaker at both ends of the floor and we’re tremendously lucky to have him.”

Mitchell also provided an update on Ryan Broekhoff, who strained his groin on Friday against Illawarra and missed the win over Sydney.

“He’s got a really slight groin strain but he’s a 30-year-old who’s only played a handful of games in 12 months.

“We want to be super careful with him and make sure we give him the time to heal and rehabilitate and then bring him back in.”

The Phoenix return to Qudos Bank Arena to face Sydney again on Thursday night before hosting Adelaide at John Cain Arena on Saturday.

TICKETS TO HOME GAME VS 36ERS

Sam Bunn for Phoenix Media (12/04/2021)