R18 Game Preview: Phoenix v United

Opponent: Melbourne United

Where: John Cain Arena

When: Sunday, May 16 – 3.00pm AEST

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

Phoenix NBL21 Record: 16-14 (third on the ladder)

Throwdown IX hits John Cain Arena on Sunday afternoon as South East Melbourne Phoenix and Melbourne United resume hostilities.

The two sides enter the game in different situations, with the Phoenix looking to cement their spot in the finals and United hoping to lock up first place.

Following a rough patch, the Phoenix regained momentum in their campaign this week with wins over New Zealand and Cairns, making for a big clash with the ladder-leaders.

SQUAD

Kendall Stephens (Achilles) and Dane Pineau (knee) will miss.

SIMON MITCHELL:

“They beat us up down low last time; Jo (Lual-Acuil) has played his butt off against us each and every time; Jock (Landale) was really dominant last time; so we want to present ourselves better with the way we handle them down low.”

PLAYER TO WATCH

Mitch Creek returned to form on Friday night with 20 points and said post-game he was starting to feel like himself again after a down few games.

The superstar forward failed to score in the last Throwdown so will be desperate to bounce back against the arch nemesis and will his side over the line.

United was one of Creek’s favourite teams to play prior to the last Throwdown, regularly recording high scoring numbers.

OPPOSITION REPORT

Melbourne sit atop of the NBL ladder with a 23-6 record.

Their most recent game was a huge win in Perth over the Wildcats on Thursday night, cementing their place as the top team in the competition.

The victory was their 13^th win in their last 14 games.

Centre Jock Landale is firing on all cylinders across the last two games, averaging 23 points and 9.5 rebounds.

Landale, Hopson, Goulding, Ili and Lual-Acuil all scored in double digits in the last Throwdown, highlighting their depth of talent.

HISTORY VS. OPPOSITION

Head-to-Head Record:

Phoenix 2 United 6

NBL21:

United def Phoenix 96-90

Phoenix def United 97-92

United def Phoenix 80-60

United def Phoenix 82-93

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 (16/05/2021)