VMT MATCH PREVIEW: Phoenix Celebrates Teachers as They Look to Go 4-0 at Home

Key Details

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 4-3 (5th) vs NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 1-3 (10th)
Where: The Fire Pit at John Cain Arena
When: Saturday, October 28 at 5:30pm AEDT
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The Phoenix will look to remain undefeated from four attempts at the Fire Pit when they take on the NZ Breakers on Saturday night. 

It's a special game for the club as they celebrate teacher’s work in their annual 'Teacher Appreciation Game'. 

For the first time this season, the Phoenix saw a full squad suit up in their round four clash against Brisbane, Alan ‘Big Sauce’ Williams again the star with 21 points, six rebounds. 

The Phoenix rocketed up the standings on the back of their treble of wins, jumping from ninth position to fifth. 

It's a game once again that the Phoenix will face old friends that are now at the Breakers in Cam Gliddon and Izayah Le'afa and, for the first time, Dane Pineau on Saturday.

The Breakers have spent the start of the month in the USA playing NBA teams Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz before coming back to the NBL and going down to Melbourne United by nine points in their return.

The Breakers had a tough loss at home in New Zealand going down by 12 points to the Adelaide 36ers on Thursday night.

Teams

Phoenix

The Phoenix will go into Saturday's game with a full squad.

Breakers

The Breakers will be without Justinian Jessup, who is missing with a pelvic injury. Import Zylan Cheatham who injured his right leg in the final quarter in Thursday’s loss will miss the game.

Keep an Eye On

Rhys Vague

In the last two outings, Vague has lifted and dominated beyond the arc in his return to the NBL after three years in Japan. In the 23-point win over the Bullets, Vague hit 12 points and shot 75 per cent from beyond the arc. Vague seems to be hitting his straps as the season unfolds. 

Anthony Lamb

Coming in as an injury replacement for Jessup, Lamb has slotted into the Breakers team seamlessly. The forward has made strides coming off the bench in only his two NBL games averaging 20 points at 63 per cent from the field and 3.5 rebounds. If Zylan Cheatham doesn’t play, Lamb will need to step up in his absence.

History

Regular Season Head-to-Head
Phoenix 9-5 Breakers

Last time out – Rd 9, NBL23
Phoenix 84-110 Breakers

Phoenix
Williams 29p
Creek 19p
Kell 8p

Breakers
Brown 31p
Brantley 18p
Loe 17p

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