Key Details
PERTH WILDCATS (10-8) 5th vs. SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX (11-6) 3rd
Where: RAC Arena, Perth
When: Thursday, December 18 at 9:30pm AEDT
Watch: ESPN
The Phoenix will look to start the round on a high as they travel to Western Australia to face the Perth Wildcats on Thursday night.
Coming off a strong win over the New Zealand Breakers in Gippsland — snapping the Breakers’ winning streak — the trip to Perth presents another tough test as the Phoenix aim to record back-to-back wins since the FIBA break.
The Wildcats also enter the contest in form, coming off a 24-point victory over the Brisbane Bullets. John Rillie’s side will be keen to continue that momentum and avoid a repeat of their Round 12 home performance against the Sydney Kings.
TEAMS
Phoenix
Owen Foxwell will miss the game against Perth but is making excellent progress in recovering from a corked thigh and will be re elevated for the Brisbane game on Saturday. Pat Ryan will replace him. With the departure of Gorjok Gak, DP Ellis Biggar will come into the team until a replacement is signed.
Malique Lewis will remain sideline as he recovers from a hamstring injury.
Wildcats
The Wildcats will be without Jesse Wagstaff due to a hamstring injury.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Nathan Sobey
The MVP contender and Phoenix co-captain produced his best performance of the season in the win over the Breakers, scoring 36 points — just one shy of his career-high — and, for the first time in his 313 NBL games, knocking down seven three-pointers in the 12-point victory. Sobey will be one to watch when he takes the court in front of the Red Army.
HISTORY
Head-to-Head
Phoenix 9-15 Wildcats
Last time out – Rd7, NBL26
Phoenix 94-89 Wildcats
Phoenix
Sobey 22p
Foxwell 20p
Brown III 12p
Wildcats
Doolittle 19p
Rillie 16p
Windler 15p
