NBL27 Round 3 Pink Game Preview | Wildcats vs Phoenix

The Perth Wildcats will look to make it three straight wins when they welcome South East Melbourne Phoenix back to RAC Arena on Friday night for the club’s 10th annual Pink Game, supporting Breast Cancer Care WA.

The Round 3 clash comes just two weeks after both sides opened their NBL27 campaigns against each other at RAC Arena, where South East Melbourne claimed an 86-76 victory.

Perth has bounced back with consecutive wins over the Adelaide 36ers and New Zealand Breakers, while SEM Phoenix return to Perth following back-to-back losses to the Tasmania JackJumpers and Melbourne United.

The Wildcats will now have another opportunity against a Phoenix team that caused problems with its pressure and ability to turn mistakes into quick points in the season opener.

That first encounter was closely contested for much of the night. Kristian Doolittle led Perth with 19 points, Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. added 16 and Dylan Windler finished with 14, before South East Melbourne broke the game open late.

Head coach John Rillie identified that decisive stretch as an area Perth will need to handle differently on Friday.

“When you reflect on our game against them, it was a good basketball game until about five minutes,” Rillie said.

“We had a patch where we turned it over three times and that’s what teams thrive on, those moments where you just relax and they get the ascendancy and the momentum. So we’ve got to do a better job in those moments.”

The Wildcats have overcome double-digit deficits in each of their past two games, responding against Adelaide before again holding their nerve in a 97-93 win over New Zealand on Saturday night.

“You look at our growth in the Adelaide and the New Zealand game,” Rillie said.

“We did come back during the game from double-digit deficits and we managed to find a way to win, which, for me, I look at that as encouraging.”

South East Melbourne will arrive looking for a response of its own.

After beginning the season with victory in Perth, Phoenix fell 96-91 on the road against Tasmania before suffering an 86-61 loss to Melbourne United at John Cain Arena.

Despite those results, their willingness to attack from the perimeter remains a significant part of their game, with Tanner Krebs indicating Phoenix are comfortable putting up between 40 and 50 three-point attempts.

Krebs expects a tougher assignment against a Wildcats team carrying considerably more momentum into the second meeting.

“I think we played a really good game there last time, but they’re going to be firing,” Krebs said.

“They’re playing some good basketball at the moment. They’ve got guys playing at a really high level. It’s going to be a test.”

Perth's frontcourt will have a different look this time around with Lual-Acuil unavailable, creating a greater opportunities as the Wildcats build their frontcourt depth.

“In the short term, this is great for our team to evolve at those positions, create some depth for later on in the year,” Rillie said.

“Certainly a lot of guys are going to get opportunity right now with Jo out.”

The Wildcats will also welcome Jaron Rillie back into the lineup, with the guard making his first appearance of the season.

“Looking promising for him to be able to play some role in tomorrow night’s game,” John Rillie said.

His potential return would add another ball-handler to a Wildcats backcourt that has found different ways to close out games over the past fortnight.

While there will be plenty at stake on court, Friday night will carry a much greater significance as the Wildcats celebrate 10 years of the Pink Game.

The annual fixture has become one of the most meaningful dates on the Wildcats calendar, raising awareness and funds for Breast Cancer Care WA while sharing the stories of West Australians impacted by breast cancer.

John Rillie will coach his his fifth Pink Game on Friday evening, and highlighted how their stories continue to resonate throughout the playing group, coaches and staff.

“It’s really educational for the players and the staff that get to sit in on these stories and it impacts so many people,” he said.

“It’s a moment we can all reflect and be grateful for what we have, but then also be mindful and understanding of what life can throw at you really quickly.”

The Perth Wildcats and South East Melbourne Phoenix return to RAC Arena for Round 3 in a special night for the club and the Pink Army, in the 10th annual Pink Game.

Game Day

Get to RAC Arena early on Friday night and make the most of the build-up to the Wildcats’ 10th annual Pink Game.

Game Day gets underway from 6:00pm, with the band beginning at the Murray Street Mall train station exit before arriving at Pirate Life Perth at 6:25pm.

Doors open at RAC Arena at 6:30pm, along with the Y Fan Zone and merchandise outlets, before the Red Army March leaves Pirate Life Perth at 6:40pm and makes its way to the arena.

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Perth Wildcats vs South East Melbourne Phoenix‍

‍When: Friday, 2 October

‍Where: RAC Arena

‍Entertainment begins: 7:10pm

Tip-off: 7:30pm AWST

Tickets: HERE