VMT MATCH PREVIEW: Phoenix Looking to Extend Bullets’ Woes

Key Details 

BRISBANE BULLETS 7-11 (9th) vs SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 9-9 (5th)
Where: Nissan Arena 
When: Saturday, December 30 at 8pm AEDT 
Watch Live on ESPN via Kayo or Foxtel 

Not many gave Mike Kelly’s side a chance over the red-hot Tasmania before they come away with the Christmas chocolates - and are now looking to back it up against Brisbane.

Similar to their earlier victory over the Kings in Sydney, toppling the JackJumpers shocked the league, the Phoenix making a habit of winning the ‘unwinnable’. 

Though similarly, they’ll also be looking to reverse a growing trend of dropping games against teams languishing at the bottom end of the table.

Despite leading by 18 points over the last-placed Adelaide 36ers in November the Phoenix were found on the losing end at the final buzzer.

Brisbane, currently ninth, have lost their previous four outings but will have the incredible addition of three-time NBL champion Casey Prather after losing DJ Mitchell.

They also took care of South East Melbourne to tune of 16 points last time they met, with this round’s game to decide the series.

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Teams 

Phoenix 

The Phoenix regain captain and MVP candidate Mitch Creek after the former NBA forward missed two games with a knee issue. They’ll be without Reuben Te Rangi after he suffered a hip injury in a heavy fall during the Christmas Day clash. He will be replaced by Luke Rosendale.

Centre Gorjok Gak (minor procedure) will miss the game and will be replaced by Anzac Rissetto.

Brisbane

No DJ Mitchell with Casey Prather joining Justing Schueller’s side for the rest of the NBL24 campaign.

Keep an Eye On 

Ayre time

Alan Williams may lead every big man stat imaginable in the league, but don’t sleep on off-season recruit Ben Ayre. The diminutive guard, with a huge on-court presence, has shot the lights out this year. Currently he is ranked third for 3PT percentage (47.4%) and third for FT percentage (88.6%) – just behind Brisbane’s Nathan Sobey (89.3%).

Half-time scoreline

Brisbane have an unenviable stat in their hands at the moment. The last 18 times the Bullets have trailed at the main break, they’ve lost. Add into that that the Phoenix have won the second half in all eight of its last matchups against Brisbane and it makes for an interesting watch up to half-time.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Captain Creek ? <br><br>? Watch on ESPN ?? Kayo | Foxtel <a href="https://t.co/Wo7EzA0ubB">pic.twitter.com/Wo7EzA0ubB</a></p>&mdash; South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix/status/1720018073561002449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

History 

Regular Season Head-to-Head 
Phoenix 8-6 Bullets

Last time out – Rd 6, NBL24 
Bullets 108 – 92 Phoenix

Phoenix 
Browne 25p 
Creek 20p 
Williams 14p 

Bullets
Bannan 17p
Harrison 14p
Sobey 13p