VMT MATCH PREVIEW: Phoenix Set Their Eyes on the Wildcats
By
Kadek Thatcher for Phoenix Media
26 Jan
1
min read


An undermanned Phoenix will look to keep the momentum going from Thursday night’s win when they take on the second-placed Wildcats in front of a packed State Basketball Centre.
Key Details
SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 10-14 (9th) vs PERTH WILDCATS 15-8 (2nd)
Where: State Basketball Centre, Wantirna South
When: Saturday, January 27 at 8pm AEDT
Watch Live on ESPN via Kayo or Foxtel
LESS THAN 40 COURTSIDE/PLATINUM SEATS REMAIN; CLICK HERE TO SECURE YOURS
Mike Kelly’s side used the energy from the sold-out Heartland to grab an upset win over the reigning champions Sydney Kings on Thursday night.
No imports, no Matt Kenyon, equalled no worries as the local-heavy Phoenix, led by courageous captain Mitch Creek, left the visitors and NBL stunned with the six-point win.
The win saw the Phoenix come off the bottom of the table, and put an end to their five-game losing streak.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ht" dir="ltr">FOXY ?<br><br>? ESPN ?? Kayo | Foxtel <a href="https://t.co/H5OrcWlUey">pic.twitter.com/H5OrcWlUey</a></p>— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix/status/1750468358833881384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The Phoenix will hope to keep the good times rolling when they face the in-form Wildcats tomorrow night in front of their third sold out SBC game for the season.
The Wildcats were stopped in their tracks by a fiery Illawarra Hawks last night who cut their six-game winning streak short.
John Rillie's side will come out firing when they arrive to the South East as they look to bounce back from their disappointing 18 point loss.
Teams
Phoenix
The Phoenix will go into Saturday night’s game unchanged from Thursday night.
Wildcats
The Wildcats will also go into the game unchanged from their Thursday night game.
Keep an Eye On
Mitch Creek vs Bryce Cotton
The third match up between the two MVP contenders will be sure to provide pure entertainment again when they go head to head. Cotton was kept quiet in Perth’s game against the Hawks only scoring 13 points, while the Kings let Creek run wild notching up a double-double of 31 points and 10 rebounds.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">CRE3K! ?<br><br>And the captain on 2??7?? points so far?<br><br>? ESPN ?? Kayo | Foxtel <a href="https://t.co/5P7aXZnDMR">pic.twitter.com/5P7aXZnDMR</a></p>— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix/status/1746115270677291375?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
History
Regular Season Head-to-Head
Phoenix 7-9 Wildcats
Last time out – Rd 15, NBL24
Phoenix 79-100 Wildcats
Phoenix
Creek 36p
Williams 12p
Ayre 10p
Wildcats
Cotton 34p
T. Webster 20p
Pinder 13p
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17 Mar
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16 Mar
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14 Mar
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13 Mar
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13 Mar
Home is where the Heartland is

12 Mar
'Nix didn't do enough to win': King
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10 Mar
STANLEY MATCH REPORT: Cotton masterclass sees Phoenix go down in Game 1
S.E. Melbourne Phoenix
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