VMT MATCH PREVIEW: Phoenix Head to the Wild West to Face Perth

Key Details

PERTH WILDCATS 12-7 (2nd) vs SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 9-11 (7th) 
Where: RAC Arena 
When: Saturday, January 13 at 8pm AEDT
Watch Live on ESPN via Kayo or Foxtel

With more than three months since the two sides last squared off, this fixture proves as important as any either side has encountered in shaping their playoff-tilts.

Perth will hope to secure their top two spot, while the Phoenix are looking to arrest a steep slide that has seen them move from second to seventh on the NBL table.

Perth are the in-form team of the league, unbeaten in their last three road trips and heading back to RAC Arena with an eye on top spot. 

Mike Kelly will regain a couple of imports in Alan Williams and Abdel Nader, as his undermanned side struggled against an in-form Illawarra Hawks last round. 

Returning to his home state and facing his previous NBL club, Rhys Vague, a four-time NBL champion for the Wildcats, will suit up for his 100th NBL game.

MVP contender Bryce Cotton was kept to his equal-lowest NBL24 tally against the Phoenix, with just seven points, the visitors hoping for much the same tonight.

Teams

Phoenix

Imports Alan Williams and Abdel Nader will return to the team after missing the last couple of games due to knee and hand injruies. Point guard Gary Browne will miss another game as he recovers from a groin strain and will be replaced by Luke Rosendale.

Wildcats

The Wildcats will be without Next Star and NBA no.1 pick prospect Alexandre Sarr due to a hip injury. While Kiwi Corey Webster, who has missed the last couple of games due to an ankle injury, will return to the side.

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Keep an Eye On

Rhys Vague

Forward Rhys Vague will be suiting up for his 100th NBL game on Saturday night against the side he won four NBL championships with. Recently, he has stepped up into the four/five position with the absence of big import Alan Williams, giving captain Mitch Creek some much needed support.

Bryce Cotton

After a slow start to the NBL24, MVP favourite Bryce Cotton is back to his best, leading the league as he averages 23.2 points a game. In his last five outings, he has scored over 25 points and will again likely be the player who will influence the game the most for the Wildcats.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">All net for Benny Ayre! ??<br><br>? Watch Live &amp; Free ESPN via Kayo Freebies | 10 Peach &amp; 10 Play <a href="https://t.co/KqyY7ohMXz">pic.twitter.com/KqyY7ohMXz</a></p>&mdash; South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix/status/1708365390341128572?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

History

Regular Season Head-to-Head
Phoenix 7-8 Wildcats

Last time out – Rd 1, NBL24
Phoenix 110-99 Wildcats

Phoenix
Cook 23p
Creek 22p
Cummings 18p

Wildcats
Henshall 24p
Pinder 14p
Usher 12p