VMT MATCH PREVIEW: Phoenix Looking for a Christmas Victory Over JackJumpers

Key Details 

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 10-7 (2nd) vs SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 8-9 (6th)
Where: MyState Bank Arena 
When: Monday, December 25 at 5:30pm AEDT 
Watch Live on ESPN via Kayo or Foxtel 

Mike Kelly’s side will look to arrest a steep slide, finding themselves teetering on the top-six despite being as high as second on the league table just two weeks ago.

The Phoenix will face a Tasmania side who have been steady without reaching they heights they did at the beginning of NBL24, winning two from their last four games including a win over Illawarra on Saturday.

Scott Roth’s JackJumpers have been a defensive juggernaut, boasting a high percentage despite posting a score above 100 points just three times this season, the league’s highest-ranked defensive team.

But a new-look South East Melbourne – who have been forced to shuffle the magnets in the wake of a spate of devastating injuries to key starters – will look to use their updated starting line-up as a point of difference to anything their opposition has faced this year.

New Zealand Tall-Blacks captain Reuben Te Rangi assumed a starting position for the first time in NBL24 in the Phoenix’s loss to Cairns, scoring 14 points alongside three rebounds.

The visitors can likely rely on the consistency of their import-centre Alan Williams, who scored a season-high 29 points against the Taipans on Friday, and is averaging double-digit boards once again.

If the two teams first clash this campaign is anything to go by – a one-point victory to the Phoenix at John Cain Arena – this will surely be a delight to watch on Christmas Day.

Teams 

Phoenix 

The Phoenix will be without captain Mitch Creek as he continues to rehab from a knee knock against United in round 11; he will be replaced by Luke Rosendale.

Gorjok Gak will also miss Riund 12 after a minor procedure; he will be replaced by Anzac Rissetto.  

JackJumpers 

The JackJumpers go into today's game with a full-strength side.

Keep an Eye On 

Alan Williams

‘Big Sauce’ has scored 10+ points in his last 35 consecutive games. That isn’t a typo. The 203cm star from Arizona is a force down under. And while that stat has come close to being broken this year, the fact is, it hasn’t. Williams looks to be peaking at the right time, and with some help to come back at the Phoenix, it could be danger signs for the opposition.

Jordon Crawford

Four games straight of 20+ points is no mean feat. The Cincinnati guard is on a hot-streak and will no doubt prove a handful for the visitors. New Zealand (30 points, three assists), Perth (29 points), Sydney (22 points) and Illawarra (20 points, four rebounds) have all seen the very best of Crawford with little answer. Mike Kelly and his team have a big task ahead, stopping Tasmania’s no.1 will be on top of the wish list for Santa.

History 

Regular Season Head-to-Head 
Phoenix 5-2 JackJumpers

Last time out – Rd 3, NBL24 
Phoenix 86 - 85 JackJumpers

Phoenix 
Browne 20p 
Creek 16p 
Cummings 15p 

JackJumpers
Crawford 27p 
McVeigh 19p 
Doyle 14p