Perth Wildcat Nick Kay quietly accumulated points, rebounds and assists to again under the radar guide his team to a tough road win - Photo by The Wave 91.7
THE WRAP Q BY Q
Eric Griffin got the Sixers going early with eight early points but “Super” Dario Hunt was dominating early for the Wildcats bullying the Sixers big men in the post. Both big men were putting on a post dunk show but the Sixers were being destroyed on their glass early giving up plenty of cheap offensive rebounds. While DJ arrived early this week for also eight early points before first Kevin then Terrico White dropped deep triples with the Sixers leading by 25-22 at quarter time.
Jerome Randle opened the second with a big bucket but the Wildcats were turning it into their usual grind and were playing boring but brilliant fundamental basketball. Hunt dropped another dunk on the Sixers post defence but the Sixers charged back through DJ and Ramone Moore to sneak out by a couple of buckets before Terrico dropped a triple. Both teams continued to trade baskets but with Cotton stranded only on 2 points for the half, the Sixers went into halftime leading 46-45.
The Sixers gave up three offensive boards to open the third as it became a three point party with Randle, Griffin, Kay and alarmingly the Sixers allowing Cotton to drop an early one as well. While the Sixers offence was flowing okay it was the other Kay exposing the Sixers defensive poor transition in the quarter. The highlight of the quarter for Adelaide was a behind the back dribble from McVeigh before a sweet dish to Drmic for the and1 reverse layup finish. The Wildcats however snuck away on the back of a shocking turnover from Harry Froling then a steal off Daniel Dillon, the Wildcats taking the ascendancy 71-76 at the end of three.
The Wildcats got the jump on the Sixers via Cotton and Kay before Randle inserted himself to the game and the Wildcats lead. An undisciplined unsportsmanlike foul highlighted Griffin’s defensive lapses giving the Wildcats breathing room before DJ beat the clock and Randle dropped a huge triple to bring it back to a single bucket. The Sixers had the stop that could have setup an offensive push but Martin reeled in the outlet pass from Anthony Drmic to setup a play that allowed Cotton to kick his legs out on a three point attempt to coax his way off Kyei to the stripe. Martin also grabbed a big offensive rebound before Super Dario popped up again for his best game of NBL20. Martin put another stamp on the game defensively blocking an open layup from Randle off the inbound but despite chances to Moore, McVeigh and the Sixers they couldn’t edge their way back into the match dropping their second home game in a row 95-99.
COACH SPEAK
Sixers Coach Joey Wright while disappointed with the result was mildly pleased with winning the key stats, “I thought tonight we played a pretty good game. We won all the key stats and it was just that they made the big plays when it counted, You can’t knock our attitude tonight, the hustle stuff and our defence was really good and we did a great job of controlling Bryce Cotton, we aren’t too far away.”
Perth coach Trevor Gleeson once again praised Martin for his late game heroics and crucial influence at the defensive end. “He’s (Martin) been doing that for years. He’s got a unique ability to have an influence on the game even without scoreboard pressure. A few years ago he won the finals MVP with his defensive efforts and he always steps up at the right time.”
DO THE STATS LIE?
The Sixers arguably had their best quarter of the NBL season in the third beyond the perimeter dropping four of nine at 50 percent which kept them in the contest. The Sixers also had 21 offensive rebounds for the game but despite the extra opportunities only could manage 45.5 percent from the field. They also only scored 7 points from turnovers and it was one of the first games of the season where none of the Sixers bench hit double figures.
The Wildcats Hunt dropped 16 first half points before Kay took over with in the second half with 12 of his 21 points. As mentioned before the Sixers held Cotton to 2 points at half time but crucially scored 16 points in the second half including 10 in the third to break open the Sixers tight lockdown on him. In the last two minutes, Martin had one steal, one offensive rebound and one block completing the trinity of defence in the last quarter.
WHATS NEXT FOR THE SIXERS
The Sixers have missed another golden opportunity to climb the ladder by holding their home fort but once again the glaring weaknesses in our lineup was rim protection at the defensive end for 40 minutes. I hope Joey is having a heart to heart with Griffin about his defence focus for the full game which needs to be at the same level as Drmic and McVeigh otherwise the Sixers could be looking at an import change soon. I like what Griffin brings and certainly he’s more all-rounded than Jacob Wiley but he simply needs to do more defensively to let DJ, well be DJ as Joey said.
Next up the Phoenix tomorrow night in Melbourne which I’m not sure we can get considering how close they got to United and the recent surge in form of import Keith “I’m here a little longer with my supposed packed bags” Benson and then a tough home game against the Breakers where Brandon Ashley could be the next import to destroy the Sixers front court. It’s not complete alarm bells yet but if they drop another two in a row before the end of November, Griffin could have his torched snuffed and be out of the ever rolling game of import Sixers Survivor…
Best advice for Eric, outplay at the defensive end, outwit on the offensive end and outlast many Sixers import big men that haven’t made it this far…
ADELAIDE 36ERS 95 (RANDLE 23, D JOHNSON 21, GRIFFIN 18) LOST TO PERTH WILDCATS 99 (KAY 21, HUNT 19, COTTON 18, T WHITE 14)
*This article is a duplicate of an article written for publishing for And The Foul.net and may appear before or after publishing
CROSS OVER DRIBBLE 