How to watch & talking points: SE Melbourne v New Zealand

13 Dec 2025

south east melbourne phoenix

new zealand breakers

The South East Melbourne Phoenix will look to respond against a red-hot New Zealand Breakers side on Saturday night.

South East Melbourne Phoenix v New Zealand Breakers
Saturday, December 13, 8pm AEDT
Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium

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Talking points

Phoenix yo-yo
Argubaly South East Melbourne's biggest win of the season, against Melbourne United, is wedged between two of their poorest losses, against Illawarra and Tasmania.

If Josh King's side are going to prove they a legit championship-contender, they need to be much more consistent on a game to game basis.

Expect a much more locked in Phoenix outfit came Saturday night, as they try to solidify third spot on the ladder.

In-form Breakers
New Zealand, along with Adelaide, is the hottest team in the Hungry Jack's NBL26 competition right now.

After opening the season 3-9, Petteri Koponen's side have won four of their past five, including three straight.

This has vaulted them into sixth spot on the ladder, with the team's improved offence being one of the main catalysts.

What they're saying

Phoenix coach Josh King on facing the Breakers:
"I just told the guys that we've got a really good team coming here on Saturday night.

"We'll have a bunch of fans here, hopefully pushing us over the top there, but we can't rely on that for energy.

"We have to again learn from this and our mistakes.

"New Zealand's playing really well and if we want to get a big win on Saturday, we're going to have to play better than we did on Wednesday for sure."

Breakers guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright on the strides his side have made this season:
"I'm super proud of this group and we've taken major strides from the beginning, and it just feels like we're clicking on cylinders right now.

"I think we're feeding off each other really well and we had five guys in double figures, and that's just from sharing the ball, we're playing defence and getting out into transition which are the things we do really well."