South East Melbourne coach Josh King has wasted no time claiming underdog status for the NBL Playoff series against Illawarra, after qualifying in dramatic fashion.
The Phoenix overcame the lowest first-half score in club history and produced the biggest comeback of the season to edge Adelaide 85-75 in an epic Play-In Game on Sunday.
It knocked out the Sixers and set up a tussle with the top-seeded Hawks, who will enjoy home-court advantage for the best-of-three series.
But the Phoenix have won the two sides' last two matches, including the most recent contest in Wollongong.
They have been superbly led by top-scorer Matt Hurt, who was third in MVP voting and named alongside Illawarra pair Trey Kell and Tyler Harvey in the All-NBL First Team.
"They're the clear favourites. We have nothing to lose," King said when asked about the Playoff series, which starts on February 28.
"They won the regular season pretty easily. They're a very deep team.
"They've got really good players, I think they had two (All-NBL First Team) players, along with other guys.
"They play about 10 or 11 and coach (Justin) Tatum does a great job with their team.
"We expect a tough, physical match-up. I'm sure they'll be ready."
South East Melbourne's win over Adelaide extended their remarkable run since King took over.
The Phoenix started the season 0-5 before sacking coach Mike Kelly, and were led temporarily by assistant Sam Mackinnon until King was signed.
"They've been battle tested this year," King said.
"They've played for three different coaches, so they've faced adversity and had a lot of different voices."
A week off for the FIBA international break means the Playoff series won't start until Friday week.
The silver lining for South East Melbourne is the downtime gives import guard Derrick Walton more time to attempt to overcome a hamstring injury that has sidelined him for the past month.
"He's done a great job of pushing himself and I think he has a test this week that will let us know," King said.
"But if there's a way for him to play, he wants to play and he's going to play.
"We have about two weeks until the game, so we'll just have to see how he is."
Melbourne United face the Perth Wildcats in the other best-of-three Playoff series, with the winners to decide the title in the Championship Series.
NBL PLAYOFF SERIES - ILLAWARRA HAWKS v SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX
Game 1: Friday 28 February, WIN Entertainment Centre
Game 2: Sunday 2 March, John Cain Arena
Game 3 (if required): Wednesday 5 March, WIN Entertainment Centre
