Best supporting role: The key to breaking Phoenix defence

With the way the South East Melbourne Phoenix dismantled the Perth Wildcats’ ball handlers last week, a lot of pressure will be placed on Adelaide’s guards during the teams' Playoff Series.

While a lot of that defensive pressure from the likes of John Brown III, Wes Iwundu and Owen Foxwell will be centred around six time MVP Bryce Cotton, others will need to stand up.

That’s where Flynn Cameron and Zylan Cheatham come in, according to NBL commentator Peter Hooley.

“The biggest keys for the Adelaide 36ers are Flynn Cameron and Zylan Cheatham being aggressive to take the pressure off Bryce Cotton,” Hooley said on Monday’s episode of NBL Overtime.

“When I say be aggressive, you don't have to score all the time, you need to be able to facilitate and play make.

“Maybe it's Flynn Cameron turning the corner. Hey, there's [John] Jenkins for a three ball. Maybe it's Zylan Cheatham on the short roll.

“That's what I'm keen to see after this FIBA Break, what are their counters to the way the Phoenix are going to get after Bryce Cotton? What little tweaks have they put in? Because you have to have some tricks up your sleeve in the post season.

“Otherwise, the South East Melbourne Phoenix match up way too well against this Adelaide team.”

Fellow NBL Overtime analyst Damon Lowery agrees with Hooley that others, including Most Improved award winner Cameron, need to make their presence felt.

“Flynn Cameron is a big piece [in this series], because they're going to make him bring that ball up the court under severe pressure for the whole game,” Lowery said.

“If Flynn’s in foul trouble, you don't want Bryce to have to do it all the game, [because] they're going to wear him down. You want Bryce to be off the ball as much as he can.

“[That’s where someone like] Zylan Cheatham needs to be super-aggressive and act as that facilitator.

“We’ve seen him do it a few times this season, and if he doesn’t, against someone like John Brown III, it could be a long night [for the 36ers].”

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The other area that looms as crucial for both sides is rebounding, with the winner in that category securing victory in each of the four contests in NBL26, which currently sits at 2-2.

“Nick Rakocevic and Isaac Humphries [loom as key in the rebounding], especially if Jordi Hunter is only going to play 15-20 minutes for South East Melbourne,” Lowery said.

Tuesday’s Playoff Series opener tips off at 7.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.