Bullets, Phoenix tipped for record shootout

The Brisbane Bullets and South East Melbourne Phoenix will both be desperate for a win on Thursday night, with each side having won just one of its past four games.

The Bullets face a new challenge as they play their first game without star guard Arnas Velička, who has been ruled out for two months with injury. However, former Olympian Brad Newley believes they can still get the job done.

“The way Brisbane have been playing has been good,” he said on NBL Now, presented by CODE Sports.

“They all have their roles, Will (Weaver) is running a really good system and they shoot a lot of three balls.

“There might be 55 attempts each tonight, it could be the biggest three point shooting game ever going up against the Phoenix.”

Brisbane recently announced that NBA international Raul Neto will join the team as an injury replacement for Velička, but he will be unavailable for Thursday night’s must-win clash.

The Phoenix will also be without a key piece, with big man Jordan Hunter sidelined following the birth of his first child.

Josh King’s team has been under the microscope so far this season, with its shooting a key focus.

“Just looking at the percentages and the Phoenix are way down, but they do attempt a lot more than other teams,” Newley said.

“I’m sure once they start dropping, they’ll turn their season around.

“If they get hot from the outside, it’s very dangerous for everyone else.”

The Bullets will lean on veteran leader Mitch Norton, who will celebrate his 400th career game, but Newley believes a young star could help share the ball-handling duties.

“One guy I’m loving this year is Max Mackinnon,” he added.

“I’m loving the way he plays, I love seeing young Australians do well in the league and he has potential to play a little point guard tonight also.”

Brisbane hosts South East Melbourne on Thursday night at 7:30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.