VMT MATCH PREVIEW: Phoenix Head over the Ditch to Take on the Red-Hot Breakers

Key Details

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 8-12 (9th) vs SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 9-13 (8th) 
Where: Spark Arena 
When: Saturday, January 20 at 5:30pm AEDT
Watch Live on ESPN via Kayo or Foxtel

As the competition comes to the pointy end, every game is vital for all sides from third to last position.

The Phoenix lost in front of a packed, one-eyed Phoenix crowd to Adelaide 36ers in their first game for round 16.

South East Melbourne will be without American Alan Williams as he goes in for surgery for his right knee. 

In his absence, Gorjok Gak, who has also had an injury-interrupted season, stepped up to the five position. 

Mody Maor’s side is currently on a three-game winning streak, perched in an eerily similar position to Mike Kelly’s side, with each game a step closer to whether or not their sides will feature in the playoffs.

The Phoenix are currently 2-0 in the series against the Breakers, this the first game South East Melbourne travel across the ditch.

Teams

Phoenix

Alan Williams is out for the remainder of the season due to a right knee injury; he goes in for surgery next week. DP Anzac Rissetto will be elevated into his spot for the remainder of the season.

Breakers

The Breakers will be without Finn Delany, as he continues to have calf issues, and Justinian Jessup, who is out with a pelvic injury.

Keep an Eye On

Gorjok Gak

Gak will need to step up to be the main big for the Phoenix and will be without import Alan Williams. In the game against the 36ers, Gak recorded 12 points and eight rebounds, his best for his new club.

Anthony Lamb & Parker Cartwright-Jackson

The two imports for the Breakers have been dominating in the stat area across the league. Lamb is the leading forward in the competition for points, averaging 20 a game and sitting third overall. Jackson-Cartwright is fifth in the league for points at 19.2 and third in assists with six per game.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">KENNY WITH THE ?<br><br>? Watch on ESPN ?? Kayo | Foxtel <a href="https://t.co/CvQVSlMxGs">pic.twitter.com/CvQVSlMxGs</a></p>&mdash; South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix/status/1730865355646816589?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

History

Regular Season Head-to-Head
Phoenix 11-5 Breakers

Last time out – Rd 9, NBL24
Phoenix 90-79 Breakers

Phoenix
Creek 26p
Cummings 15p
Browne 12p

Breakers
Le’afa 17p
Jackson-Cartwright 14p
Lamb 14p