R14 Game Preview: Phoenix v Kings

Opponent: Sydney Kings

Where: Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney

When: Thursday, April 15 – 7.30pm AEST

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

Phoenix NBL21 Record: 13-9 record (third on ladder)

South East Melbourne Phoenix finally overcame their Sydney hoodoo on Sunday at Qudos Bank Arena and return on Thursday night to do battle once more with the Kings.

Sunday’s win was the first against Sydney in the Phoenix’s short history and was done in emphatic style, running out 98-84 winners.

It was a fiery contest from the first tip to after the final buzzer, setting up a tantalising rematch.

A win will further solidify the Phoenix’s third position on the NBL table while the Kings need to triumph to keep pace with the top four.

(The Phoenix are looking stronger every week) 

SQUAD

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

MILESTONE

Cam Gliddon will play his 250th NBL game. 

PLAYER TO WATCH

Mitch Creek was at his dominant best in the win on Sunday, scoring 26 points off the bench.

His career-best season from behind the arc continued with four triples from seven attempts. Creek’s ability to drain threes at a high clip is opening up even more of the floor for the star forward and taking his game to another level.

The big man rotation of Creek, Ben Moore and Yanni Wetzell is a real difference maker for the Phoenix, with all three in red hot form.

OPPOSITION REPORT

Sydney sit sixth on the ladder with a 10-12 record.

They’ve lost their last two games to Perth and the Phoenix, which has coincided with the season ending injury to Dejan Vasiljevic.

As expected, import duo Casper Ware (20 points) and Jarrell Martin (23) caused the most problems for the Phoenix on Sunday and will again be the focal points for the Kings.

Sydney had a good record at home prior to Sunday’s loss so it will take another strong team performance from South East Melbourne to make it back-to-back wins.

HISTORY VS. OPPOSITION

Head-to-Head Record:

Phoenix 1 Kings 5

NBL21:

Kings def Phoenix 91-85

Phoenix def Kings 98-84

NBL20:

Kings def Phoenix 90-86

Kings def Phoenix 110-98

Kings def Phoenix 98-81

Kings def Phoenix 99-96

TICKETS TO OUR NEXT TWO HOME GAMES

Sam Bunn for Phoenix Media (14/04/2021)