R9 Game Preview: Phoenix v Cairns

Opponent: Cairns Taipans

When: Friday March 12 – 7:30pm AEDT

Where: John Cain Arena

Tickets: CLICK HERE

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

Live Updates: @SEMelbPhoenix on Twitter

Phoenix NBL21 Record: 7-7

Phoenix NBL Cup Record: 3-3

South East Melbourne Phoenix will carry the confidence of a brave undermanned victory over Melbourne United into a Friday night clash with last year’s semi-finalists Cairns.

The Taipans are struggling this season with a 3-11 record but still possess firepower to trouble any team if they get rolling.

A win is needed for the Phoenix if they want to finish on the podium in the inaugural NBL Cup and keep pace with the bevy of clubs jostling for finals positions early in the season.

It will be the first time the two teams face off in NBL21.

(Mitch Creek is in scintillating form)

SQUAD

Keifer Sykes (ankle), Adam Gibson (calf) and Dane Pineau (back) remain out.

Kendall Stephens (illness) and star recruit Ryan Broekhoff’s statuses will be determined later today.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Mitch Creek played an inspirational game on Wednesday night to get the Phoenix over United in the Throwdown and is looking like an MVP candidate once again this season.

Creek scored 31 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in what coach Simon Mitchell described as possibly his best performance in a Phoenix uniform.

*IF Ryan Broekhoff makes his Phoenix debut, he’ll also become a player to watch!

OPPOSITION REPORT

After wowing the league with a finals run last season, the Taipans are yet to recapture that form in 2021 with a 3-11 record which sees them sit bottom of the NBL table.

Part of the reason for their struggles is the absence of Majok Deng through injury, who’s missed the last two-to-three weeks.

Import duo Scott Machado and Cam Oliver are still putting up impressive numbers. Machado leads the league in assists with 8.5 per game while Oliver ranks second in rebounds with 9.3.

Forward Kouat Noi, shooter Mirko Djeric and Next Star prospect Mojave King are all dangerous threats.

HISTORY VS. OPPOSITION

Head-to-Head Record:

Phoenix 1 Taipans 2

NBL20:

Phoenix def Taipans 112-105

Taipans def Phoenix 92-84

Taipans def Phoenix 103-102

Sam Bunn for Phoenix Media (12/03/2021)