R19 Game Preview: Phoenix v Bullets

Opponent: Brisbane Bullets

Where: Nissan Arena

When: Saturday, May 22 – 8.00pm AEST

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

Phoenix NBL21 Record: 17-14 (third on the ladder)

The Phoenix and Bullets have both recaptured their form and go head-to-head on Saturday night in Brisbane with big repercussions for the winner and loser.

South East Melbourne are on a three-game winning streak while Brisbane knocked off Perth on Wednesday night in a tight boilover to keep their finals hopes alive.

A win for the Phoenix would see them sit comfortably in third position and take another step towards locking in a debut finals campaign.

A win for the Bullets keeps their finals hopes well and truly alive as the season draws to its conclusion in the coming weeks.

Boomers squad members Mitch Creek and Ryan Broekhoff will square off with recent addition Nathan Sobey.

SQUAD

Kendall Stephens (Achilles) and Dane Pineau (knee) remain out.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Former Bullets Cam Gliddon and Reuben Te Rangi will both be playing their first regular season game back in Brisbane since making the move to the Phoenix in the off-season.

The pair got a taste of their former home in the pre-season back in December but are yet to play at Nissan Arena with real consequences on the line.

Te Rangi has been a defensive juggernaught for the Phoenix all season but in recent times has also provided a scoring punch, averaging 12.4 points per game across his last six.

Gliddon is also proving extremely valuable on both ends, averaging second in the league in steals and sixth in three-pointers.

Both players will be keen to put on a show in front of the Bullets faithful.

OPPOSITION REPORT

Brisbane sit sixth on the table with a 14-15 record.

Their most recent game was a thrilling come-from-behind win over Perth at home on Wednesday.

Lamar Patterson was the star when they toppled the Phoenix in Round 16, scoring 27 points on 10-15 shooting in probably his finest performance of the season.

Similar to the Phoenix, Brisbane are a high-scoring outfit, averaging 89 points per contest largely thanks to the season-long hot form of star guard Nathan Sobey.

Sobey’s 22 points per game ranks second in the league behind only Bryce Cotton.

HISTORY VS. OPPOSITION

Head-to-Head Record:

Phoenix 3 Bullets 2

NBL21:

Phoenix def Bullets 99-83

Bullets def Phoenix 94-82

NBL20:

Phoenix def Bullets 113-93

Phoenix def Bullets 110-95

Bullets def Phoenix 108-101

Sam Bunn for Phoenix Media (21/05/2021)