‘Respect the game’: Phoenix no longer flying under the radar

If people weren't already talking about the South East Melbourne Phoenix, they are now after Sunday's emphatic win over league-leaders Adelaide.

Having seen them up close, injured Brisbane Bullets star Casey Prather has long been wary of the second-placed Phoenix and their league-leading offence.

"I've been taking them seriously [all season]," Prather said on Wednesday's episode of NBL Now.

"I've been thinking that they were going to be top three, top four side the whole season, but that win against one of the best teams in the league, if not the best team in the league, kind of staples who they think they are.

"They want everyone out there to realise they're out here to win the championship. They're not here just to play the game.

"[There] should definitely should be more respect in their name, and they're definitely earning all the flowers and everything that comes with it."

A big part of Sunday's win and their championship pedigree, recruit Ian Clark, who scored a season-high 27 points at RAC Arena.

"[Ian Clark's performance] was fire. I was so happy for him because I kind of sensed that everybody out there was thinking he wasn't really playing that well, whereas the guy they left go (Hunter Maldonado) has been playing out of this world," Prather said.

"I had a feeling that people were kind of getting a little antsy about when he was going to show up.

"I was just hyped for my guy because that's who he is. You know, that's who he's always been. That's who we've grown to love.

"He's played alongside some of the greats out there in the world. He's a professional and he understands how and when to take his shots.

"[The Phoenix are a much better team] now that Ian Clark is firing."

South East Melbourne hosts New Zealand in an Ignite Cup clash on Wednesday from 7.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.