The Mandurah Magic men will look to bounce back from the loss they suffered at the hands of East Perth when they take on the Perth Redbacks tonight.
Led by Perth Wildcats legend Shawn Redhage, the Redbacks picked up a pair of crucial wins last weekend that saw them ascend to fifth spot on the ladder.
They will be looking to head into the finals in winning form, while Mandurah is eager to spoil their party.
The form
Prior to their loss to East Perth, Mandurah was in the best form of its lowly season having picked up two straight wins (one coming on the road against the second-place Geraldton), and if not for a lapse in the second and third quarters against the Eagles they could have easily extended their streak to three.
Individually, Taylor Mullenax has been producing at a huge level for the Magic.
The captain picked up player of the week honours in round 17 after leading his side to a win over Geraldton with 30 points and eight rebounds, backed up by a 31 point, eight rebound outing against East Perth.
Over his last three games, Mullenax is averaging 26 points and 7.6 rebounds.
His battle with Shawn Redhage looms as a tantalising one for the fans.
The four-time National Basketball League champion is averaging 27.24 points per game this season, good enough for equal first in the league.
Team that with his average of 9.8 rebounds per game and it’s clear that Redhage’s elite level talents are a huge boost for Perth.
Last time they met
These sides have recent history having played each other less than a month ago, when a Redbacks team without their star recruit in Redhage still managed to ease past the Magic with a 74-95 win.
It was a matter of team vs individual in that clash as five Perth players scored in double figures, allowing them to surpass Mandurah despite a 40-point outing from star point guard Will McNeill.
But the Magic have more players in form this time around, including Mullenax and Fletcher Klasztorny (who is coming off a 17-point game against East Perth).
It’s a tall order for the young Magic, but an upset win over a Redhage-led Redbacks would be almost as big as their win on the road over Geraldton.
The fixture
Belmont Oasis, Friday, 8.30pm
The Magic will follow up their clash with Perth with a home game against Goldfields, tipping off at the Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre at 12pm, Sunday.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
