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SEM Phoenix vs Melbourne United Prediction
The second match of Saturday’s NBL double header brings us one of the league’s most heated rivalries — the Throwdown — as the South East Melbourne Phoenix host Melbourne United at John Cain Arena.
Here is a SEM Phoenix vs Melbourne United Prediction for Saturday, November 8th 2025.
The Phoenix are red-hot right now, riding a five-game winning streak built on relentless full-court pressure, hustle on defence, and a balanced offensive attack. Their ability to force turnovers and make opponents grind for every possession has turned them into one of the toughest teams to face in the competition.
Meanwhile, Melbourne United are suddenly looking vulnerable. After a strong start to the season, they’ve dropped two straight and will be desperate to respond against their cross-town rivals. With talent and experience across the board, United will be eager to silence the Phoenix crowd and prove they’re still the team to beat in Victoria.
Expect a fiery, high-intensity contest where every possession matters — exactly what fans have come to expect from the Throwdown.
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SEM Phoenix vs Melbourne United Prediction
Venue – John Cain Arena
Tip Off – 8pm EST
Season Record
| Team | W-L | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEM | 7-2 | 4-0 | 3-2 |
| Melbourne | 9-2 | 5-1 | 4-1 |
Season Scoring
| Team | PPG | Opp PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEM | 98.8 | 88.6 | 187.4 |
| Melbourne | 96.9 | 84.1 | 181 |
Quick Game Facts
- South East Melbourne is flying, winning each of its last five games.
- Melbourne has dominated when fresher, winning 11 of its last 12 games when playing with a rest advantage.
- Melbourne also leads the league in point differential per game this season at an impressive +12.8.
Quick Player Facts – SEM Phoenix
- Nathan Sobey has been on a tear, averaging 26.6 points and 2.4 steals over his last five games.
- John Brown III has been a double-double machine, averaging 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 steals across his last two outings.
- Owen Foxwell continues to impress, putting up 15.3 points and 5.3 assists per game across his last four.
Quick Player Facts – Melbourne United
- The Phoenix have found ways to contain Milton Doyle, holding him to just 8.8 points per game across their last five meetings.
- Chris Goulding has struggled from deep lately, hitting only 2 of 11 three-point attempts over his last two games and averaging just 7.5 points in that span.
- Big man Jesse Edwards has been ultra-efficient around the rim, shooting 21-for-25 from the field across his last three games while averaging 18.7 points.
Prediction
Melbourne United are struggling from deep and have lost the rebounding battle in their last two games. The Phoenix will make it tough for them to turn things around, but a quality United side rarely drops three in a row. The streak suggests the Phoenix may be due for a loss. Expect United to come out firing and prove tough to beat in this high-intensity Throwdown.