VMT MATCH PREVIEW: Phoenix Look to Get Back on Winner’s List at Home
Written By
Kadek Thatcher for Phoenix Media
Key Details
SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 1-3 (9th) vs TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 3-1 (4th)
Where: The Fire Pit at John Cain Arena
When: Saturday, October 14 at 8pm AEDT
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After a pair of losses on the road, the Phoenix will look for redemption against the Tasmania JackJumpers on Saturday Night.
Mike Kelly’s team sit precariously at 1-3 but will take plenty from their last outing at John Cain Arena when they convincingly defeated the heavily fancied Perth Wildcats, stretching the lead to 30 points before conserving starters.
Kelly adds additional flavour to the bout, coaching his 100th NBL fixture but whether his team lift for a milestone occasion remains to be seen.
(Kelly will coach his 100th NBL game on Saturday night.)
Old friends turn enemies on Saturday night with Matt Kenyon facing his old side and JackJumpers’ Junior Madut facing the Phoenix for the first time.
The two sides met at the NBL Blitz, where the JackJumpers powered home by 13 points, but two vastly different line-ups will take the court this time around.
The JackJumpers are coming off a huge 30-point win at home in Tasmania over the Illawarra Hawks on Thursday night.
Teams
Phoenix
Tyler Cook will unfortunately miss Saturday's game with the sam eye abrasion that kept him out against the Hawks last round. He will be replaced by DP Austin Rapp.
Alan Williams remains out of the side as he continues his rehab after his knee injury.
In good news, Gorjok Gak will make his Phoenix debut after missing the first two rounds due to an ankle injury.
JackJumpers
Tasmania will be without centre Will Magnay who has a foot injury and will be replaced by Lachie Barker.
Keep an Eye On
Mitch Creek
When Creek is on, Phoenix is on. And the last time the two sides matched-up in NBL23, Creek was unstoppable with a double-double of 23 points and 11 rebounds. With the Phoenix searching to get back on the winner’s list, Creek could be the difference between a win or a loss.
Milton Doyle
In his second season in the NBL, Doyle keeps showing why he is the best closer in the league. It was clearly on show against Melbourne United last round. Down 10 late, Doyle flicked the switch scoring 14 of his 25 points in the final term including the go-ahead three. A standout MVP candidate early in this campaign.
History
Regular Season Head-to-Head
Phoenix 4-2 JackJumpers
Last time out – Rd 16, NBL23
Phoenix 86-75 JackJumpers
Phoenix
Creek 23p
Browne 15p
Williams 14p
JackJumpers
Doyle 16p
McVeigh 15p
Kelly 12p
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