Browne ejected as Sobey lifts Bullets for vital win

Nathan Sobey has sliced through the South East Melbourne Phoenix with 35 points to snap the four-game losing streak of the Brisbane Bullets on a night that that included point guard Gary Browne ejected for the losers.

The Bullets prevailed 95-83 at Nissan Arena on Saturday night in the last game of 2023 for both teams, the Phoenix cutting a 17-point deficit to just one in the third term before Browne punched Brisbane centre Aron Baynes' stomach in frustration.

The hosts steadied to push the lead back to 15 in a confidence-building final term, improving them to 8-11 and arresting a slide that had threatened to kill their season.

The added bonus for the Bullets was that coach Justin Schueller didn't need to push 'In Case of Emergency' button and put new import Casey Prather out there. He was suited up but having only arrived in the country on Wednesday, the three-time champion will wait a week to make his Brisbane debut.

Sobey dunked his first points just three seconds into the contest and finished with 35, attacking the rim and also settling for mid-range jump shots to mess with the Phoenix zone defence.

That was just one shy of a career-best mark he hit on Christmas Eve in Adelaide, but this time he had plenty more teammates along for the ride.

His intent saw the Bullets' offence flow, with Sam McDaniel (14 points) and Josh Bannan (17 points, six rebounds) both finding easy points, and Baynes slowing the progress of Phoenix big Alan Williams (13 points, 11 rebounds).

Baynes' impact was evidenced by Brisbane being plus-16 in his 12 minutes.

A suspension is possible for Browne, who ran into a Baynes screen and lashed out in frustration in the fourth quarter, given he has already copped a fine when he was charged with striking early.

Browne (13 points, four assists) was among the contributors who pushed Mike Kelly's side back into the contest, despite the visitors shooting just 3-of-20 triples. A rough free-throw shooting night also hurt the Phoenix as they went 22-of-35 at the line at 62 per cent.

The Bullets (3-of-14 three-pointers) weren't much better, but shot at 56 per cent inside the arc and also benefited from a handy 12-point, three-assist night from Mitch Norton.

It was a thud back to earth for the Phoenix, who had risen for an emotional upset of the Tasmania JackJumpers on Christmas Day but are now 9-10 and clinging to fifth on a crowded ladder.

Mitch Creek (11 points, 11 rebounds, four assists) was unable to impose in his return from a three-game absence, while Matt Kenyon (14 points, eight rebounds) was efficient for the visitors.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 13

BRISBANE BULLETS 95 (Sobey 35, Bannan 17, McDaniel 14)

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 83 (Kenyon 14, Nader 13, Williams 13, Browne 13)

BOX SCORE