R9 Game Preview: Phoenix v United

Opponent: Melbourne United

When: Wednesday March 10 - 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: 6-7

Phoenix NBL Cup Record: 2-3

Throwdown VI comes to town at John Cain Arena on Wednesday night with uncertainty surrounding both the Phoenix and United.

Star Phoenix recruit Ryan Broekhoff arrived at the club on Monday but won't face their cross-town rivals, while United will be without import Scotty Hopson and Jack White through injury.

It’s an important game for South East Melbourne to return to form after losing their previous two fixtures and falling to 6-7 on the season.

It certainly won’t be an easy task with United holding a league-best 10-2 record, albeit falling to Brisbane on Sunday.

Local stars Mitch Creek and Jock Landale will ensure an entertaining night regardless of the availability of their teammates.

(Izayah Le'afa will need to step up again off the bench for the Phoenix) 

SQUAD

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

Ryan Broekhoff left hotel quarantine on Sunday and joined training on Monday. He won't play against United but will target a debut on Friday night against Cairns.

TOMMY GREER ON THE THROWDOWN RIVALRY:

“Within the clubs that rivalry is there. You’ve got two distinct brands coming up against one another and we definitely feel it.

“I feel like you can feel it in our supporter base as well at these games. I definitely think it’s something that’s building – they’re games that you can’t help but get up for.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing the next instalment.”

PLAYER TO WATCH

Izayah Le’afa is making a huge impact off the bench with Keifer Sykes and Adam Gibson sidelined through injury.

The tough Kiwi guard scored a career-high 15 points on Saturday night and has been playing elite on-ball and off-ball defence which has made him an instant fan favourite.

With Sykes and Gibson again missing, Le’afa will be asked to step up once again against a talented United squad.

OPPOSITION REPORT

United sit atop of the NBL ladder with a 10-2 record and third in the NBL Cup standings at 4-2.

They lost only their second game of the season on Sunday against Brisbane and will now be without Scotty Hopson for a few weeks. Jack White is also injured.

They have however been boosted by the returns of Chris Goulding and Shea Ili, who caused the Phoenix some troubles in Throwdown V in Bendigo earlier this season.

United’s defence is the best in the league on a point against per game basis, leaking only 83 points a night to opposing teams.

Jock Landale sits amongst the league’s best in rebounds and blocks, while Mitch McCarron is proving to be a revelation as a point guard on both ends of the floor.

HISTORY VS. OPPOSITION

Head-to-Head Record:

Phoenix 1 United 4

NBL21:

United def Phoenix 96-90

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 (09/03/2021)