Perth Wildcats vs South East Melbourne Phoenix NBL25 Game Preview

9 hours ago

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Tip-off is at 9:30 PM AEDT, Friday, January 31 at RAC Arena

Perth Wildcats vs South East Melbourne Phoenix Expert Analysis

The Perth Wildcats will look to strengthen their top-four position when they take on the South East Melbourne Phoenix at RAC Arena in what could be a crucial game in the race for the finals.

Both teams are locked in a tight battle for playoff positioning, and with just a few rounds remaining, every win is vital. Perth holds the home-court advantage, having already beaten the Phoenix twice at RAC Arena this season, while South East Melbourne will need to overcome their struggles on the road to keep pace with the league’s top teams.

Key Matchups

Perth’s High-Powered Offence vs. Phoenix’s Defence

The Wildcats are the second-best scoring team in the NBL, averaging 99.5 points per game. However, South East Melbourne boasts the league’s third-ranked defence, allowing just 90.5 points per contest. If the Phoenix can slow down Perth’s offensive weapons, they will have a chance to keep the game within reach.

Nathan Sobey vs. Perth’s Perimeter Defence

Nathan Sobey has been in elite scoring form, posting 26+ points in four of his last five games. Perth’s defence has struggled at times this season, ranking ninth in opponent field goal percentage (47.8%). If the Wildcats fail to contain Sobey, he could be a major factor in the outcome.

Phoenix’s Road Struggles vs. Perth’s Home Dominance

Perth is tied for the second-best home record in the league, while South East Melbourne is one of only two teams in the top six with a losing record on the road (6-7). The Wildcats will look to capitalize on their raucous home crowd to maintain their strong form at RAC Arena.

Key Stats

Perth has the second-best home record in the NBL this season.
South East Melbourne has the second-worst road record among top-six teams.
The Wildcats have been the highest-scoring team over the past 10 games.
South East Melbourne allows 94.3 points per game to top-four scoring teams.
Nathan Sobey has averaged 26+ points in four of his last five games.

Why Perth Win

The Wildcats have been dominant at home and have already beaten South East Melbourne twice at RAC Arena this season. Their offence has been firing, and against a Phoenix defence that has struggled against top-scoring teams, Perth should be able to put up big numbers. If they can limit Sobey’s impact and control the tempo, they should secure another crucial victory.

Why South East Melbourne Win

For the Phoenix to pull off the upset, they will need to tighten their defence and find a way to disrupt Perth’s high-scoring attack. Sobey’s scoring form could be the difference-maker, and if South East Melbourne can get key stops late in the game while converting on the offensive end, they have a chance to edge out a close win.

Conclusion

Perth’s strong home record and offensive firepower make them the favourites, but South East Melbourne has the defensive capabilities to keep things interesting. Expect a close contest, with the Wildcats having the edge in crunch time.