VMT MATCH PREVIEW: Phoenix Search for Road Win Over Resurgent Hawks

Key Details

ILLAWARRA HAWKS 7-9 (8th) vs SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 9-10 (5th) 
Where: WIN Entertainment Centre 
When: Friday, January 5 at 7:30pm AEDT
Watch Live on ESPN via Kayo or Foxtel

The Phoenix will be looking to further solidify their spot in the finals race with a win over the Hawks, with a loss potentially relegating South East Melbourne out of the top six.

They face Justin Tatum’s side who have been 4-1 since the change in coaches, and very easily could’ve been one better if not for a one-point loss to Brisbane.

A side languishing at the bottom of the table just two months ago now looms as a serious playoff threat but will face a hungry Phoenix side focused on stemming the losses.

The Hawks are just one of two sides – the other being Melbourne United – that the Phoenix haven’t toppled in NBL24, making this last clash for the season imperative for the visitors.

Teams

Phoenix

The Phoenix will be without MVP candidate Alan Williams who suffered a knock to his left knee against the Bullets, joined on the sidelines by 200-NBA game player Abdel Nader who is nursing a sore right hand. The Phoenix will also be without their third import Gary Browne who has a right groin strain.

South East Melbourne will get Reuben Te Rangi and Gorjok Gak back after some time on the sidelines.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">? TEAM NEWS ?<br><br>Alan Williams (left knee) and Abdel Nader (right hand) will miss tomorrow’s game against Illawarra. They will be replaced by Anzac Rissetto and Luke Rosendale. <br><br>In good news, Reuben Te Rangi and Gorjok Gak return to the team! <a href="https://t.co/xIXBtSNAfd">pic.twitter.com/xIXBtSNAfd</a></p>&mdash; South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix/status/1742769033722962010?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Hawks

Illawarra will be without Dan Grida who has a knee injury. 

Keep an Eye On

Mitch Creek

Boomers’ preliminary selections are coming up, not that Mitch Creek needs any added motivations. But the Boomers’ will play Asia qualifiers in January and a strong showing in the next few games could see Creek fill a spot as a Power Forward in Brian Goorjian’s team in Jakarta and Ballarat.

Tyler Harvey

When the Hawks came to Traralgon ahead of Christmas, it was Tyler Harvey who lit up the Latrobe Valley. He scored 25 points and did most of his work in the first half, creating a buffer the hosts couldn’t reign in. Harvey has been instrumental in the Hawks’ resurgence in the past six weeks.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Big time from Ben 10! ??<br><br>? ESPN ?? Kayo | Foxtel <a href="https://t.co/U7j2VBxHt2">pic.twitter.com/U7j2VBxHt2</a></p>&mdash; South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix/status/1735917370395484332?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

History

Regular Season Head-to-Head
Phoenix 10-7 Hawks

Last time out – Rd 11, NBL24
Phoenix 72-100 Hawks

Phoenix
Williams 17p
Ayre 15p
Te Rangi 11p

Hawks
Harvey 25p
Froling 16p
Robinson 14p