Semi-Final Game Two Preview: Phoenix v United

Opponent: Melbourne United

Where: Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney

When: Sunday, June 13 – 3.00pm AEST

Broadcast: ESPN, SBS Viceland, SBS On Demand, Twitch, NBL TV

South East Melbourne Phoenix need to piece together a huge bounce back performance on Sunday at Qudos Bank Arena to keep their dreams of bringing home the NBL title alive.

Game One ended in a blowout victory to the top seeded Melbourne United, 96-78, meaning the Phoenix must win on both Sunday and Tuesday to qualify for the Grand Final.

Missed free throws, high turnovers and foul trouble plagued the team in green on Friday night, but the best-of-three series grants them the opportunity to redeem themselves in their first ‘home’ final.

The matchup will be the 11^th edition of the Throwdown rivalry, ‘Throwdown XI’, and perhaps the most important of any to date.

The Phoenix have shown twice this year they’re capable of beating United but will need to be at their best to topple a deep squad firing on all cylinders.

It’s win or go home time for the team from the Heartland.

SQUAD

Dane Pineau (knee) has been ruled out for the season.

The remainder of the squad is available.

SIMON MITCHELL:

“Possession is king in the playoffs and they were able to get second and third touches, that grinded us down a little bit.”

“Some of our turnovers were just really poor decisions from an offensive standpoint, dribbling into dangerous places – they were reaching in, they’re athletic, they’re long, you can’t give them shots at that and we did. We kept turning it over and that results in baskets going the other way.”

PLAYER TO WATCH

Mitch Creek was plagued by early foul trouble in Game One and will be keen to get off to a stronger start on Sunday.

The superstar forward was pinged for two early fouls, seeing him watch on from the sidelines for majority of the first quarter and early in the second as United took control of the game.

It kept Creek to just 25 minutes of playing time which would’ve been well below his desired court time as he tries to lead his team from the front with energy.

Still, the 29-year-old managed 15 points (6/10 shooting), four rebounds, six assists and two steals.

An unchained Creek could be the difference in Game Two.

OPPOSITION REPORT

Melbourne United were at their premier best in Game One, winning the second and third quarters a combined 59-34 to run away with the win.

They shot the ball at an incredible 64 per cent from two and 46 per cent from deep. Couple that with forcing the Phoenix into 18 turnovers and the result was wrapped up.

Star big Jock Landale caused the most headaches, scoring 26 points on 10/14 shooting, including 4/5 from three. Scotty Hopson came off the bench and played like the Hopson who dominated for the Breakers last year, scoring 22 points on 9/11 shooting.

Chris Goulding was well held (nine points on 27 per cent shooting) but development player Mason Peatling showed up with three important offensive rebounds in the first term.

Game One consolidated their position as title favourites but they’ll need to play another strong game to deny the relentless Phoenix.

HISTORY VS. OPPOSITION

Head-to-Head Record:

Phoenix 3 United 7

NBL21 Finals:

United def Phoenix 96-78

NBL21:

United def Phoenix 96-90

Phoenix def United 97-92

United def Phoenix 80-60

United def Phoenix 82-93

Phoenix def United 94-83

NBL20:

Phoenix def United 91-88

United def Phoenix 110-98

United def Phoenix 96-95

United def Phoenix 109-90

Sam Bunn for Phoenix Media (12/06/2021)