Angry Phoenix out to avenge United beatdown

Derek Rucker expects the South East Melbourne Phoenix to come out swinging in Throwdown 34, a fortnight on from a 25-point "beatdown" at the hands of Melbourne United.

The Phoenix went 4/41 from three-point range in the 86-61 loss, a night to forget that prompted coach Josh King to apologise to the home fans.

Fresh from a much-improved win over Illawarra, Rucker believes King’s men can respond.

“Well, they’re going to come out angry and that’s the way to rectify it right away,” Rucker said on NBL Now, presented by CODE Sports.

NBL Now host Kelsey Browne agreed the first meeting looked like an outlier.

“We often talk about the mental side of the Throwdown. They’re [the Phoenix] not where they were in the past and that game is hopefully an outlier. So, I feel like they come in with a lot more ferocity,” Browne said.

Rucker also expects the shooting to turn.

“I think if you look at the 4-for-41 performance by South East Melbourne shooting the ball from the three in that game, that’s not going to happen again,” he said.

“So, you would expect a bump in their offensive productivity, but I think the big bump is going to come emotionally and with their team focus. And this is going to be a lot more competitive. And also, it’s South East Melbourne’s home game.”

The sides meet with identical 2-3 records, United sixth and the Phoenix seventh, meaning the loser drops into a precarious position.

United arrive having bounced back from a fourth-quarter fade against Cairns with a win in Adelaide, led by a dominant Cole Anthony.

Anthony finished with 24 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, shooting 4/7 from three-point range.

“I thought that was a perfect game by Cole Anthony,” Rucker said.

“If this team is to be a championship level team, I believe that is the range in which he must operate. I was more impressed by that win by United than I was the big blowout win over South East Melbourne.”

Despite backing a strong Phoenix response, Rucker still gives United the edge.

“One of the areas of vulnerability with the Phoenix is their interior defence. And Josh Oduro’s playing really good basketball. He’s simple. He’s athletic. He’s strong. Look, he has a problem with fouling. We know that. But also, I’m expecting Sam Waardenburg to wake up and get something done,” he said.

“I think Melbourne United get this one.”

South East Melbourne takes on Melbourne at 7.30pm AEDT on Saturday. Watch live on ESPN, and on 9 (Melbourne/Sydney), 9Go! (other regions) and 9Now.