Phoenix vs 36ers – High-Stakes Play-In Clash for NBL25 Semi-Finals
The NBL25 Play-In Tournament is heating up, and this Sunday, all eyes will be on John Cain Arena as the South East Melbourne Phoenix take on the Adelaide 36ers in a do-or-die battle. The stakes couldn’t be higher—win, and it’s a ticket to the semi-finals against the Illawarra Hawks. Lose, and the season is over.
The Phoenix finished fourth in the regular season with a solid 16-13 record, earning a double chance in the Play-In Tournament. However, they couldn't capitalize in their first game, falling to the Wildcats in a high-scoring showdown. Now, they get another shot—this time on their home court, where they’ve been dominant all season.
On the other side, the 36ers fought their way into this match by knocking out the Sydney Kings with an impressive road win. That victory extended their winning streak against the Kings to three games, showing they have the firepower to compete under pressure. However, they’ll need to step up again against a Phoenix team that has beaten them twice in Melbourne this season.
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One of the biggest questions in this matchup is whether the Phoenix can contain Kendric Davis, who has been a standout for the 36ers. In their last meeting, he put up 23 points and seven assists, proving to be a major threat. Adelaide will also look to Montrezl Harrell, who posted a dominant double-double in their previous clash. If he controls the paint, the 36ers could cause an upset.
For the Phoenix, Nathan Sobey will be a key player. He exploded for 26 points and eight assists in their last matchup and will look to deliver another big performance. Supporting him will be Matt Hurt and Owen Foxwell, both of whom have been crucial in the team’s recent success. The absence of Derrick Walton Jr. due to a hamstring injury is a blow, but the Phoenix have enough depth to compensate.
The home-court advantage and Phoenix’s consistency over the past few months make them slight favorites. They play at a high tempo and have defensive players who can disrupt Adelaide’s rhythm. Expect a close contest, but the Phoenix should have enough to get over the line and advance to the next stage.
Prediction: Phoenix -3.5 🔥
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