Big rebound to rise for Phoenix

Adelaide has less than 48 hours to prepare for a road trip to John Cain Arena to face the South East Melbourne Phoenix after Friday night’s 99-70 loss to New Zealand at the Entertainment Centre.

The 36ers will be facing a Phoenix side who will be buoyed from their 91-90 win in Perth against the Wildcats on Friday night.

Both sides could not have vastly different nights on the court Friday night, South East Melbourne fighting back from a five-point three quarter time deficit to beat the Bryce Cotton-led Wildcats.

The 36ers will need to bounce back after New Zealand dominated both ends of the floor at Brett Maher Court and will need to clean up on a few key areas, including offensive rebounds and turnovers.

THE KEY
Everyone in the NBL knows the man to stop at South East Melbourne is livewire forward Mitch Creek.

Creek is the heart and soul of the Phoenix and leads from the front with his play and his passion on the floor.

The 198cm marquee man hit two clutch free throws on Friday night to give the Phoenix their one-point success against the Wildcats in Perth

The Creek match-up could be handed to reigning NBL Defensive Player of the Year Antonius Cleveland, who has the height to compete with Creek in the paint, and the speed to stop him on the perimeter.

THE SECRET
He announced himself as South East Melbourne’s finisher in their 89-88 win against Brisbane Bullets last round, Gary Browne could be a thorn in the 36ers chances on Sunday afternoon.

The Puetro Rican national star battled with a knee injury during the pre-season but has started to hit form at the right time.

Browne had a team-high eight assists in the win in Perth after struggling from the three-point line, but Phoenix coach Simon Mitchell has brought his new point guard in to be the finisher.

Expect a Browne match-up with 36ers captain Mitch McCarron, and the Boomers star will need to be switched on to stop the Phoenix leader.

THE FINAL WORD
The late addition of Chinese big man Zhou Qi makes the Phoenix a dangerous proposition inside the paint and on the glass.

Qi, who returns to the Phoenix after some standout games for South East Melbourne during their NBL22 campaign, will slot right back into Simon Mitchell’s roster seamlessly.

Adelaide should also have the alarm bells ringing when it comes to 2016 Rio Olympian Ryan Broekhoff.

Broekhoff, who has struggled with injury since his introduction to the NBL, has looked to find his straps with an 18-point effort against the Wildcats.

After the Breakers connected on 15 three-pointers on Friday night, Adelaide need to shut down the perimeter threats the Phoenix possess, led by Broekhoff.

Adelaide has already bounced back earlier this since when they reversed a 97-72 loss to Tasmania with a 90-80 won against Illawarra two days later.

But, this challenge is one the road and is a very early season defining test for CJ Bruton’s men.

DEPTH CHART
Browne | Adnam | Foxwell
Kell III | Madut
Broekhoff |  Te Rangi
Creek | Anticevich
Williams | Qi | Pineau