AT A packed out State Basketball Centre, the SEM Phoenix hosted the New Zealand Breakers in a fiery, high-scoring matchup in the National Basketball League (NBL). While the Phoenix ended up grabbing the seven-point win, the Breakers stayed in the game all throughout and were in arms reach of the victory.

The Breakers, sitting at seventh place, are on the conquest of making the top six, just behind the Tasmania JackJumpers, but they will need to gather some wins together and start a late season run.

The Phoenix sit just below the Adelaide 36ers, and as of now, are looking to be playing at the same or even a higher level than Adelaide, previously beating the Sixers on the 18th of January in a statement win.

Wes Iwundu started off hot, with four threes coming in just the first quarter of the game, setting the tone for the Phoenix as they would hit 18 combined threes throughout the game, shooting well above average at 42 per cent.

Ian Clark followed up his 27-point performance against Adelaide with another incredible 24-point game off the bench. John Brown III showed his defensive abilities with four steals, continuing to prove his case for the Defensive Player of the Year award. Other great performances such as Nathan Sobey (19 points), Jordan Hunter (17) and Owen Foxwell (11) were the difference makers helping them secure the win.

Sam Mennenga and Parker Jackson-Cartwright have been on top form this season, with Mennenga looking like one of the most improved players in the league, with a dominant 28-point game. His strength helped him dominate through the interior and score at will. His highlight play came late in the second quarter, driving to the basket and throwing down one of the dunks of the season over Hunter, who tried to take the charge but unfortunately ended up on the wrong side of a memorable moment.

Jackson-Cartwright also had a strong 26 points along with nine assists, being the face of the offense as he has done so many times in the past. He currently is tied with Bryce Cotton for most assists per game with 7.6 per game. Izaiah Brockington also dropped in 15 points, he has looked to be a great third scoring option and will be needed as a scoring threat in this late season run that the breakers desperately will be looking for.

Their next game is against the Sixers, a tough game as Adelaide will be the favourites, but with proving how good they truly are at top form, New Zealand showed their ability to go toe to toe with a top team, and the ladder-leaders might be no different.

The Phoenix will next take on the ninth-placed Cairns Taipans, in the next couple weeks they will also play against the top of the table Sixers. If the Phoenix are able to beat Adelaide again, then it might be time to put the Phoenix as championship favourites, but time will tell.