Rising Phoenix are ready to test 36ers

Adelaide will be out to stop a two-game losing skid when the 36ers travel to John Cain Arena to face South East Melbourne Phoenix on Sunday afternoon.

After Friday night’s 98-90 loss to arch-rival Perth Wildcats at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, the 36ers will be facing a Phoenix side buoyed with confidence after winning four of their past five matches.

The 36ers will be searching to keep their season at .500 after slipping to a 6-7 record following losses to the Wildcats and league-leading Sydney Kings

Adelaide will also be out for revenge after the Phoenix stopped the 36ers in the clutch in their only meeting so far in NBL23, a 103-98 overtime win on October 30.

THE KEY
Livewire power forward Mitch Creek is the key to South East Melbourne’s success, he’s their marquee man for a reason.

The 198cm swingman can be dangerous at both ends of the floor, can be a mismatch nightmare while also being the heart and soul of the franchise, he will get the home crowd roaring.

Import power forward Robert Franks will get the first look at Creek as Adelaide will try to keep him on the perimeter and off the glass.

Maybe reigning NBL Defensive Player of the Year Antonius Cleveland could also have a chance to stop Creek, but don’t be surprised if you see a lot more of Hyrum Harris.

THE SECRET
Gary Browne has been leading the Phoenix offense from the point guard spot and has been a big reason why South East Melbourne is sitting fourth on the ladder.

The Puetro Rican national star battled an injury pre-season but has started to hit form at the right time, now averaging 11.6 points and 7.5 assists per night.

Browne had a team-high 10 assists as the Phoenix took care of Illawarra Hawks 11-72 on Thursday night and expect 36ers captain Mitch McCarron to have to job in shutting him down and the Boomers star will need to be switched on to stop the Phoenix leader.

Trey Kell was the matchwinner last time when the Phoenix prevailed 103-98 in overtime, coming up with some clutch baskets down the stretch.

Since that performance, Kell has stepped up his game to become a key player in Simon Mitchell’s starting line-up.

It’s no secret the Phoenix have some sharpshooters from the perimeter. Along with Browne and Kell, Ryan Broekhoff can win a game on his own and he did just that with a four-point play late in the Phoenix’s October 30 success over the 36ers.

THE FINAL WORD
Chinese big man Zhou Qi is now fit ad firing makes the Phoenix a dangerous proposition inside the paint and on the glass.

Qi was a late addition for the Phoenix after some standout games during their NBL22 campaign and the Phoenix have only lost one game in NBL23 with Qi healthy.

Expect Kai Sotto to play when Qi is on the court, but the 218cm big man made an impact against the Wildcats and is potentially a mismatch for the Phoenix without Qi on the floor.

Adelaide need to start firing from the three-point line, it’s become an Achilles heel for the 36ers recently and had coach CJ Bruton knows his side has to improve in this area.

Robert Franks can lead from the front in this area, and even though Adelaide need his presence inside, he can win a game by himself from the three-point line.

Offensive rebounding has also been an area the 36ers need to improve and with the Phoenix boast Creek, Qi and import big man Alan Williams, claiming those defensive rebounds will go a long way to winning the game.

This is a must-win game for Adelaide and with their backs against the wall on the road, Sunday is the perfect place to start a winning streak.

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