Phoenix fire over Bullets

The South East Melbourne Phoenix proved too much for the Brisbane Bullets at Nissan Arena on Wednesday night, winning 102-77.

There was a fantastic pre-game celebration of Indigenous Round with a didgeridoo performance Tommy Coghill and Welcome to Country performance by Aunty Debbie Sandy and the Yerongpan dance group. The players were also wearing beautiful jersey’s designed by Narelle Urquhart.

The Bullets were again without NBA import guard Tyler Johnson, centre Tyrell Harrison and guard Tanner Krebs. The Phoenix were also without point guard Gary Browne star forward Ryan Broekhoff

Star guard Nathan Sobey was a constant threat for the Bullets finishing with a season-high 31 points while Aron Baynes showed his strength, particularly in the first half, with 14 points and eight rebounds. DJ Mitchell also continued to show his growth in the league with 14 of his own.

For the Phoenix, Creek put together another strong performance with 20 of his 29 points. Kell III finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds and five assists while Adnam had 14.

Baynes and Williams attacked each other early in a physical opening quarter which saw the Bullets take a 22-20 lead.

While Baynes had a 10-point first half, Williams, Kyle Adnam and Mitch Creek took charge in the second term as the Phoenix took a double-figure lead before Nathan Sobey nailed a three-pointer on the half-time buzzer to make it 56-47 to the visitors.

Sobey’s 17 points kept the Bullets in the game while they continued to struggle to have any answer for Creek who had 20 points at the main break while his side won the second quarter 36-25.

Phoenix kept on rolling with Kell III’s three-pointer taking the lead past 16 points midway through the term as the visitors entered the final 10 minutes up 79-61.

The Phoenix took their lead past 20 points early in the last quarter and despite Sobey continuing to fire, South East Melbourne scored a comfortable win.

Brisbane next play against the Perth Wildcats after Christmas next Tuesday 27 December at home.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 12

BRISBANE BULLETS 77 (Sobey 31, Baynes 14, Mitchell 14) 

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 104 (Creek 29, Kell III 17, Adnam 14)

BOX SCORE