R17 Game Preview: Phoenix v United

Opponent: Melbourne United

Where: John Cain Arena

When: Saturday, May 8 – 5.30pm AEST

Tickets: CLICK HERE

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

Phoenix NBL21 Record: 14-13 (fourth on ladder)

Melbourne’s Throwdown rivalry enters its eighth instalment on Saturday night at John Cain Arena.

South East Melbourne Phoenix will be desperate to turn their recent fortunes around as they cling on to a slender one-win gap over fifth-placed Illawarra and face a United team flying atop the NBL ladder.

United’s rampant eleven-game winning streak was snapped against Perth mid-week, meaning both teams will be looking to secure a bounce back victory in front of their fans.

The night will also be the Phoenix’s annual Starlight game. Fans will be encouraged to pledge a donation for each three-pointer the team makes to raise funds for the Starlight Children’s Foundation who support sick kids and their families.

SQUAD

Keifer Sykes will make his return.

Cam Gliddon is out after sustaining a hip injury at training. He'll be reassessed for Wednesday’s game against New Zealand.

Ryan Broekhoff (eye), Kendall Stephens (Achilles) and Dane Pineau (knee) will also miss.

YANNI WETZELL:

“Melbourne’s playing some really good basketball right now, they’ve come together really nicely, so it’s a big game for us.

“We’ve had a tough stretch but chemistry-wise we’re all so bought in and I feel like it’s our time to make a run. It’s crunch time at the business end of the season and it’s do-or-die from here on out.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

The frontcourt matchup of Yanni Wetzell and Mitch Creek battling with Jock Landale and Jo Lual-Acuil will go a long way in deciding the victor.

Wetzell and Lual-Acuil have been revelations for their respective clubs this season while Creek and Landale are playing at the elite level expected of them as stars of the NBL.

Creek finds a way to lift his game to another notch in Throwdown matchups. The forward dropped 31 points and 10 rebounds in the overtime win over United during the NBL Cup.

OPPOSITION REPORT

Melbourne sit first on the ladder with a 21-6 record.

United were on an incredible 11-game winning streak before losing to Perth on Wednesday night at John Cain Arena. Turnovers played a big part in the loss so the Phoenix’s pressure on the ball will be important.

Star big Jock Landale returned from a one-game knee injury in the loss. Landale and Chris Goulding lead the team in scoring at just under 16 points per game.

Their defensive prowess and depth of talent pose big threats, with the likes of Scotty Hopson, Shea Ili, Yudai Baba and David Barlow coming off the bench.

HISTORY VS. OPPOSITION

Head-to-Head Record:

Phoenix 2 United 5

NBL21:

United def Phoenix 96-90

Phoenix def United 97-92

United def Phoenix 80-60

NBL20:

Phoenix def United 91-88

United def Phoenix 110-98

United def Phoenix 96-95

United def Phoenix 109-90

Sam Bunn for Phoenix Media (07/05/2021)