R10 Game Preview: Phoenix v 36ers

Opponent: Adelaide 36ers

Where: John Cain Arena

When: Saturday March 20 – 5:30pm AEDT

Tickets: CLICK HERE

Broadcast: SBS Viceland, SBS On Demand, Twitch, NBL TV

Live Updates: @SEMelbPhoenix on Twitter

Phoenix NBL21 Record: 9-7

John Cain Arena will be the Phoenix’s official home court for the first time this season on Saturday night as the Adelaide 36ers enter the Fire Pit.

The return of Dane Pineau and Adam Gibson will boost spirits in the Phoenix camp while the addition of import Brandon Paul will have 36ers fans equally excited.

The Phoenix will look to win their fourth consecutive game and solidify their top-four spot but will have their hands full against the new-look 36ers.

Adelaide hold a slight ascendency in the two teams’ matchups this season, winning two of the three clashes.

(Ben Moore will need to continue his good form in the absence of Creek)

SQUAD

Adam Gibson (calf) and Dane Pineau (back) will both return from injury and suit up on Saturday.

Keifer Sykes (ankle) and Mitch Creek will miss.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Dane Pineau and Adam Gibson are both likely to come off the bench and play limited minutes as they return from injury to add great depth to the Phoenix squad.

Gibson was playing well earlier this year before going down while Pineau may take a little longer to find his feet having not played a competitive game for over a year.

In the long run, Pineau’s rebounding and defensive skillset should prove extremely valuable against some of the elite big men in the NBL.

OPPOSITION REPORT

Adelaide sit seventh on the NBL table with a 7-10 record.

Star big man and MVP contender Isaac Humphries is missing through injury.

The 36ers introduced import Brandon Paul to the league last week and he didn’t disappoint, scoring 25 points and looking every bit of a threat for the rest of the league.

Veteran centre Daniel Johnson is amongst the league leaders in points per game (20.4) while Next Star guard Josh Giddey’s 6.6 assists per game has caught the eye all season.

Sunday Dech and Tony Crocker also cause headaches at both ends of the floor.

HISTORY VS. OPPOSITION

Head-to-Head Record:

Phoenix 2 Adelaide 4

NBL21:

36ers 116 def Phoenix 108

Phoenix 89 def 36ers 83

36ers 99 def Phoenix 94

NBL20:

Phoenix 101 def 36ers 91

36ers 103 def Phoenix 91

36ers 113 def Phoenix 111

Sam Bunn for Phoenix Media (19/03/2021)