NBL27 Preview - Round 9, Game 2 v South East Melbourne Phoenix

For the third time this season, Melbourne United and the South East Melbourne Phoenix are set to do battle for bragging rights in Throwdown 35.

Both teams are coming into the matchup having dropped their opening game of Round 9; United on the road against Adelaide by eight points, and the Phoenix by 10 at home facing the Hawks.

United will still carry momentum into the contest, having won four of the past five games, while outscoring the 36ers 57-42 in the second half on Thursday.

South East Melbourne are desperately searching for some form, having dropped five of their past seven games, and will surely come out with a point to prove in this marquee matchup.

‍WHAT’S THE WORD?

‍Despite the loss on Thursday evening, United Head Coach Jacob Chance left the game proud of the fight his group displayed to close the contest.

“Maybe some other teams, I can’t speak for other teams, would crack or fall under pressure in those moments,” Chance explained.

“Our guys rallied together… and it’s one thing to bring it back to 20, which I think naturally happens with variance of leads, because it’s really hard to stay up by 34, but to get it back to a game we could have won, that’s a different level of connection and problem solving that our group has.”

This is a stark contrast to the message relayed by Phoenix Head Coach Josh King, who put his players on notice after their performance on Wednesday.

“Right now, it’s not about wins and losses for us, we need to find guys that want to compete at a high level and have pride while they’re playing out there on the floor,” King said.

“We don’t have enough guys in our locker room right now that compete at a high level and have the ultimate pride to want to play for the team.

“We’ve got good guys in the locker room, but we have too many guys, not every player on our team, but too many guys, and one is too many, that are focused only on themselves and not on the team.”

‍WHO’S HOT, WHO’S NOT

‍Cole Anthony has continued to scorch nets in his debut NBL campaign, producing his ninth 20+ point performance against the 36ers.

The star guard sits second in the competition in scoring (24.5ppg), trailing only Bryce Cotton (26.6ppg), while spending over 10 fewer minutes on the court per game.

He will face off against All-NBL guard Nathan Sobey on Saturday, who is coming off back-to-back efficient scoring efforts, albeit in losses (26ppg in his last two games).

As a unit however, the Phoenix have struggled to contain opposing teams’ attack on the rim, allowing 120 points in the paint in the two losses.

Melbourne currently leads the league in points in the paint (48.5 per game).

‍DETAILS

‍Who: Melbourne United vs South East Melbourne Phoenix

Tip-off: 7:30pm AEDT, Saturday 14 November, 2026

Where: John Cain Arena, Melbourne

Watch: ESPN via Disney+, 9 Now

‍Tickets: Less than 500 remaining!