Phoenix hang tough in gritty win over Wildcats

South East Melbourne Phoenix completed one of the NBL’s toughest defensive assignments and, in doing so, made a championship statement when they edged the Perth Wildcats at John Cain Arena on Saturday night.

In a clash which pitted second against third, captain Kyle Adnam (24 points, 7-14 shooting, four assists) and franchise forward Mitch Creek (22 points, 9-18 shooting) took control in the fourth quarter, to guide the home side to a gritty 86-80 win.

Phoenix’s Kyle Adnam drives to the basket against the Wildcats.Credit:Getty Images

Phoenix had to find a way to curb superstar Bryce Cotton, and that task was all but given to Izayah Le’afa, who relished the challenge.

Cotton, the league’s leading scorer with 24.3 points per game, was held scoreless in the first half. The dynamic guard was 0-5 from the floor, the first time he had failed to score in the first half of a game in his past 48 appearances, dating back to the 2020 play-offs against Cairns.

Cotton found more of a groove in the second half, finishing with 15 points, and his ability to find teammates (five assists) ensured the Wildcats dragged themselves back into the contest. Scores were knotted with 90 seconds left when Wildcat Todd Blanchfield, having a horror night, drilled a three from the corner.

Adnam responded with a pair of free-throws with 44 seconds remaining. In a dramatic finish, a decision review gave the Wildcats the ball back after a missed jump shot, before another decision review then gave the Phoenix the ball with 20 seconds remaining. The Wildcats fouled, and Adnam went back to the foul line, where he calmly sank a pair of free throws. The contest was effectively over.

Adnam’s strong form coming off the bench and willingness to repeatedly hit big shots – he had 13 alone in the final term – consigned star import Xavier Munford largely to the bench. Munford was given only 14 minutes, and has struggled to have as much impact as the Phoenix would like. Le’afa had a big night, for he also supplied 12 points and four assists.

The win levelled the season split between the two teams at 1-1, and handed the Wildcats their fourth loss in their past five games.

Leading the way

Creek is the leader of this side and that was on show during a time-out in the second term when he all but took control of what was said. The Phoenix had issues with the Wildcats’ switching, and Creek was keen for his teammates to have a better understanding.

Heating up

Phoenix got cooking early, going on an 11-0 run, including three-pointers from Munford and Adnam, to take an 18-8 lead before the visitors found some rhythm. The Wildcats have struggled early in several games this season, with Cotton unable to get the looks he wanted. It’s been a period of adjustment for the superstar guard, who is adjusting to a new offence which does not allow him to come off as many screens as he had under former coach Trevor Gleeson.

And one more thing …

Further to the Phoenix’ hot shooting, a 45-31 half-time lead was built upon superb outside shooting. The Phoenix were 8-13 from beyond the three-point arc, while the Wildcats were 3-11. Le’afa and Reuben Te Rangi, the latter coming off the bench, were each 2-2, while Adnam, having also splashed a pair, was typically industrious when injected into the game.

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