Cold streak to cold-blooded: How Dash responded to NBA star's sledge

Sparks flew between one former NBA guard and one chasing that dream, during Saturday night's pre-season fixture at the State Basketball Centre.

South East Melbourne pulled off an impressive comeback win over crosstown rivals Melbourne, but the scoreline wasn't the only story. United's Cole Anthony had plenty to say to Phoenix Next Star Dash Daniels throughout the night.

Daniels, who suited up for United in NBL26, went cold from deep, missing four of his five triples, and that's when the chatter started, including a cheeky "hell no" from the 367-game NBA veteran.

Daniels made him eat those words. He caught fire late, drilling two massive triples as part of a scorching 10-point fourth quarter to power the Phoenix to a 91-89 win.

"It was a little weird, being on the other side. The first three quarters were a little slow, I wasn't feeling the best, missed a couple shots and got a little down on myself," Daniels told CODE Sports.

"They were talking some shit, but I got myself back in the game and I kept shooting and knocked a few down in the end."

Though he didn't feature in the pre-season Throwdown himself, Anthony found other ways to make his presence felt.

"Anyone that knows me, knows I'm a pretty vocal guy. I like to put my voice out there and in a game where I'm not playing, they're going to hear me somehow," Anthony said during United's media availability on Monday.

"So, I was just like, let me put my voice out there, whether it's messing with the other team, supporting our dudes, whatever it was.

"He [Dash] looked at me too, because he ended up hitting two [shots] in a row.

"It's probably my fault he ended up hitting those, because he wanted [to get back at me].

"At that point, I was like, 'I'm gonna shut up'."

Upon reflection on his late-game heroics, Bendigo product Daniels credited his new mindset heading into the Hungry Jack's NBL27 Season.

"I came in with a new mindset this year to just keep shooting, don't worry about the last shot, I've put the work in and I know it's going to fall, so keep shooting," Daniels said.

Both the Phoenix and United open the NBL27 season on Saturday, September 19, against Perth and Adelaide respectively.

Read the full story here >> Dash Daniels’ epic response to Cole Anthony trash talk, Joe Ingles injury scare, NBL expansion latest