R14 Game Preview: Phoenix v 36ers

Opponent: Adelaide 36ers

Where: John Cain Arena

When: Saturday, April 17 – 5.30pm AEST

Tickets: CLICK HERE

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

Phoenix NBL21 Record: 13-10 (third on ladder)

South East Melbourne and Adelaide have played some thrilling games already in NBL21 and go head-to-head again on Saturday night at John Cain Arena.

Each team have won two games against the other this year, with all four games ending in single digit wins and two of them going to overtime.

It’s the Phoenix’s first game back in Melbourne since their three-game road trip which ended on a disappointing note in Sydney on Thursday but also saw the club’s first win over the Kings last Sunday.

Intrigue surrounds the Phoenix’s starting line-up, with coach Mitchell opting for a two-guard line-up of Sykes and Adnam with Gliddon at the three in the last two contests. The second-year coach is opting for a “horses for courses” approach given the depth of talent at his disposal, so rolling changes could be made for the foreseeable future.

SQUAD

Ryan Broekhoff (groin strain), Dane Pineau (knee jar) and Kendall Stephens (Achilles) will miss.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Izayah Le’afa played one of the more astonishing games of the season in Thursday’s loss to Sydney, scoring a career-high 29 points and grabbing three steals off the bench.

The young Kiwi’s eight three-pointers were the equal-most of any player in the league this season for a single game alongside Hawks star Tyler Harvey.

Le’afa began the season as a defensive stopper coach Mitchell could call upon when opposition guards were inflicting damage but has turned into an all-round threat on both ends of the court.

The development player will likely spend time on 36ers young star Josh Giddey on Saturday night in an intriguing matchup of two rising guards.

OPPOSITION REPORT

Adelaide sit seventh on the ladder with a 9-14 record.

Following a slide down the table since losing star big Isaac Humphries to injury, the 36ers have won two of their last three games to regain some form heading into Saturday night.

NBA Draft prospect Josh Giddey has averaged 11 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in his last three games since returning from injury and will likely flirt with a triple double again back in his hometown of Melbourne.

Daniel Johnson is still pouring in points as starting centre and import wing Brandon Paul is finding his feet, scoring in double digits in each of the last three games.

HISTORY VS. OPPOSITION

Head-to-Head Record:

Phoenix 3 Adelaide 4

NBL21:

36ers def Phoenix 116-108

Phoenix def 36ers 89-83

36ers def Phoenix 99-94

Phoenix def 36ers 96-89

NBL20:

Phoenix def 36ers 101-91

36ers def Phoenix 103-91

36ers def Phoenix 113-111

Sam Bunn for Phoenix Media (15/04/2021)