DrinkWise Preview: Round 18 Game 2 v SEM Phoenix

It’s time for another Throwdown and after taking care of business last weekend against the South East Melbourne Phoenix, Melbourne United will be searching for another win in Throwdown IX on Sunday afternoon at John Cain Arena.

After coming away with a statement win in Perth on Thursday night, Melbourne will be looking to keep the momentum going against their cross-town rival.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Chris Goulding.

CG43 was on a mission on Thursday night in Perth and his three-point shooting was the reason Melbourne jumped out of the blocks.

Goulding’s ability to change the course of a game with his shooting from deep is basically unmatched within the NBL. He’s a superstar of the league and he took the challenge of playing the Wildcats in Perth head on.

He finished with a game-high 26 points (six triples), 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals and from the outset it was clear to see that he was in the zone.

Goulding has been hitting triples from everywhere this season and his incredible shooting form will be giving the Phoenix players and coaches headaches in the lead up to this Throwdown.

KEY MATCH UP

Keifer Sykes was back in the starting line-up when South East Melbourne kicked off their Round 18 schedule with a win over New Zealand. He showed flashes of what he was doing earlier in the season before injuries hit and finished with a team-high 21 points in 21 minutes.

Matching up with Sykes will be Mitch McCarron, and it will be a great battle between two point guards who do so much for their respective teams.

McCarron is having a career-year in his first season with full-time point guard duties, and his ability to impact games in so many ways makes him an indispensable part of the United line-up.

While he dishes out incredible passes and can drive to the bucket with force, the work he does without the ball in his hands is what makes him a truly great two-way player in the league. McCarron’s defensive work will be vital against Sykes who looks to be getting his confidence back.

This point guard match up will go a long to deciding the outcome of the Throwdown and making Sykes work hard on both ends of the court will be vital as he continues to build his way back into playing 30+ minutes per game.

THE OTHER GUYS

Last time United took on the Phoenix, just a week ago, Melbourne had all the answers and ran away with Throwdown VIII. Landale was a beast on both ends of the court to finish with a season-high 27 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks.

South East Melbourne will be looking to better contain Landale this time around and that all starts with Yannick Wetzell. Phoenix’s big man has proven himself capable of matching it against some of the best bigs in the league and is averaging 10.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.

In Throwdown VIII, United did a terrific job of shutting down Mitch Creek. Incredibly, he finished with zero points on the night, but he’s too good of a player to put in another performance like that. Look for him to be aggressive early.

Kyle Adnam and Cam Gliddon are both vital to the Phoenix’s backcourt. Adnam (13 points, 3.8 assists and 2.2 rebounds per game) is an energy guy who doesn’t stop and whether he’s coming off the bench or starting, he’s always ready to contribute. Gliddon (11.9 points and 4 rebounds per game) won’t die wondering when it comes to shooting from the outside and if his first shot goes in, he can get hot and lead his team from the front.

Ben Moore (11.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game) is an exciting and athletic forward who will be hoping to impose his presence on this game.

With the Phoenix locked in a battle for the final two post-season spots, they will undoubtedly be hungry and ready to go in what promises to be an entertaining Throwdown!

GAME INFO

Who: Melbourne United v South East Melbourne Phoenix.
Tip off: 3:00pm (AEST), Sunday 16 May.
Where: John Cain Arena, Melbourne.
Watch: SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand.
Tickets: Buy yours here