On guard for Open-Air showdown

Adelaide 36ers return to John Cain Arena on Saturday night for an Open-Air blockbuster against South East Melbourne Phoenix.

The Phoenix is firing under new head coach Josh King, having won three of their past four matches, including a big 109-97 win against crosstown rivals Melbourne United last round.

King has seemed to revitalise the Phoenix, who lost their first five games of the NBL25 season, and the 36ers will expect a different side to the one Adelaide defeated 93-83 on October 3^rd.

A marquee match-up looms at power forward with Phoenix big man Matt Hurt set to go head-to-head with Montrezl Harrell in what looms as a key indicator to the outcome of this contest. 

READ MORE

• Davis wants team success, not big numbers
• MATCH WRAP: Triple treat as 36ers down Breakers
• PRESS CALL: Defence big key to win against Breakers
• The Huddle: Montrezl Harrell
  
• Harrell back 'home to make big impact

THE KEY
Nathan Sobey has hit back hard after a below average start to his NBL25 campaign at the Phoenix since his high-profile off-season move from Brisbane Bullets.

With a career average of 14.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists, Sobey seems to rise to the occasion every time he plays against the 36ers.

The 193cm swingman only managed nine points and four rebounds when Adelaide defeated South East Melbourne back in October, but Sobey did have 73 points in two matches against the 36ers last season.

Sobey is back to his best after a match winning performance last Sunday in the Throwdown against Melbourne United, pouring in 22 points to go with seven assists, six steals and five rebounds.

A point guard match-up with Kendric Davis could be a possibility, and the key for Adelaide is to limit the Tokyo 2021 bronze medalist early in the contest.

THE SECRET
Phoenix NBL25 Next Star Malique Lewis has played his way into the starting line-up and looms as one of the team’s best defenders.

Lewis played a shut down role on Matthew Dellavedova during last Sunday’s win against United and you would expect the Next Star to get the first assignment on Davis.

Across his first 17 games, Lewis is averaging 8.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game but his importance to the team is worth much more than just numbers.

The 202cm swingman can play at both ends of the floor and along with his defensive focus, Lewis can hit the three-pointer as well as having the ability to attack the rim. 

DEPTH CHART
Sobey / Walton Jnr / Ayre
Glover / Foxwell
Lewis / Wisekamp
Hurt / Vodanovich
Hunter / Majok

FINAL WORD
Adelaide has only won one match away from the Entertainment Centre so far this season and will be keen to make a statement under the stars in Melbourne on Saturday night.

After snapping a four-game losing streak last Saturday against New Zealand, the 36ers will bring much-needed confidence into this contest against one of the competition’s hottest teams.

Hurt and Sobey loom as big time matchwinners for the Phoenix, and how Adelaide limit their influence will go a long way in the outcome to this match.

The 36ers do have a significant size advantage inside, with Harrell, Isaac Humphries and Jarell Martin to go up against Jordan Hunter, who is the only centre on the Phoenix roster.

Hurt will have to play defence on the interior and Adelaide could look to exploit that match-up at the offensive end.

But, the 36ers will need to curb the influence of Sobey as well as NBL champions Derrick Walton Jnr and Angus Glover on the perimeter.

The roof will be open and the opportunity for Adelaide is right there for the taking to come back home with an early Christmas gift.