Defend like Drmic: The disconnect as Bruton described in the post match press conference was evident - The Sixers will need the energy and execution at the defensive end like Drmic provided on Thursday night - Photo credit to Adelaide 36ers vs twitter (Anthony Drmic)
4-Minute Read
NBL ROUND 3
Adelaide 36ers vs Illawarra Hawks
When: 5:00pm (ACST), Saturday October 15
Where: Adelaide Entertainment Centre – The Ken Cole-seum
Broadcast: Kayo Freebies, ESPN, www.nbl.com.au
SWOOP BACK IN HISTORY
Adelaide 36ers vs. Illawarra Hawks Semi-Final 1 (NBL 2016/17)
Randle rolls Hawks as 36ers make statement
Hawks coach Rob Beveridge lamented his sides ability to not control the rebound count after quarter time. “We got smashed, you can’t win games of basketball if you don’t rebound, it’s hard to compete against the team that gets on the offensive glass” explained about this game
Jerome Randle had averaged 13 points per game against the Hawks that season but doubled that with a match winning performance as Adelaide took game one of the series, 93-78. In his first final in the NBL, Randle notched up 26 points and showed exactly why he was named the NBL MVP that season.
The Sixers were down 17-11 early but it was Randle with 7 points and Drmic who brought the 36ers back into the game at the offensive and defensive end. Drmic then brought the crowd to its feet by hitting the quarter time three-point buzzer beater, but the Hawks held sway up 27-24.
Nathan Sobey exploded the roof off the arena with a huge three and coast to coast contested layup to open the second with the 36ers on an 8-0 run and Sobey with eight for the quarter giving him 14 in the match. The crowd played the sixth man role beautifully shouting out where the shooters were on the floor and raised Sobey up a few rungs with a monster block on Nick Kay’s dunk attempt from behind. The 36ers went up 52-42 at the break reassuming dominance of the glass 25-22.
Even the clock couldn’t play defence on Randle as he beat it with a long-range triple and the 36ers constantly found the front position on the rebounds – the 36ers on a 12-5 run. The Hawks swung the momentum through import guard Rotnei Clarke and Tim Coenraad with long range bombs helped the Hawks claw their way back into it 73-65 at three quarter time in favour of the 36ers.
Adelaide continued with their post quarter time domination of the offensive
glass through Hodgson and Creek while turnovers were killing the Hawks and Coenraad looked like he’d dried up. DJ took over the last few minutes scoring wise shaking off his bug during the week as Adelaide took game one 93-78 in the semi-final series.
Adelaide 36ers 93 (Randle 26, Sobey, Johnson 16, Creek 11) defeated by Illawarra Hawks 78 (Coenraad 26, Clarke, Harris 10) at Titanium Security Arena
Key Matchups
Craig Randall II vs Wani Swaka Lo Buluk
Randall started his Sixers NBL stint reasonably well but the 18 points did mask some deficiencies in the defensive end – it magnified the issues for the Sixers overall at the end of the floor. He needs to start at the defensive end with his game tonight and then let the rest of his game come to him.
One of the best defensive players in the league will likely see plenty of time on Randall trying to make his second outing very difficult indeed. Swaka Lo Buluk’s numbers overall have gone up after his breakout season with Sydney.
Antonius Cleveland vs George King
Cleveland looked so good when he penetrated to the rim on Thursday night – it was far few and between in on-ball actions on my watch. More of that will be needed tonight to create problems at both ends of the floor.
King must not be allowed space on the arc early otherwise we’ll see a repeat of Thursday night. The assignment will likely go to Cleveland to curb his former club’s replacement already shooting 57.9 percent with 11 of 19 for the season.
Anthony Drmic vs Alex Mudronja
When the Sixers needed a lift in intensity – the former provider of spark brought it. He was +11 when on the floor and if the starting five aren’t getting it done early – I’ve no doubt Bruton will call his name first to correct the defensive compass.
Mudronja will likely see some minutes against his former side and he’ll be keen to prove what his team let go. The back-up point guard minutes will be crucial if Harvey and co strike some foul trouble through the match – it may fall to him but as we’ve seen with his game; he’s capable of taking the next step.
THREE QUESTIONS TO SWOOP ON
Did Kai Sotto not have enough minutes considering DJ wasn’t fully 100 percent?
The thought certainly crossed my mind… It took till halfway through the third quarter for CJ to pull the trigger on getting Sotto in. It was potentially a mis-match in the Sixers favour but the JackJumpers were probably too mobile for him at the defensive end. This match has better matchups in Deng, Mathiang and Gak to come up against.
What’s the Hawks plan B when Tyler Harvey isn’t finding points?
Another DP is shining for the Hawks in Dent and King dropped some big bombs from deep but getting it done by committee seems to be how they are doing it. If the Sixers can stop Harvey – then it forces that question to be explored further.
Who has to set the tone more at the defensive end for the starting five?
Randall has to set the tone! The noise around his body language during the opener has been vigorously defended by Bruton but you can see the guy just wants to do better. He can do that with some tight guarding and athletic rim and passing lane protection and then watch the rain drop at the offensive end as the prize.
So who wins?
A nervy start and clearly some “jet-lag” kind of affected maybe not the fitness but the concentration and the execution at both ends Thursday. The Hawks have already done some jet setting of their own going to Perth but will not fear coming to Adelaide considering their recent record against the Sixers of 6-0. I feel the home-side tonight though will be better prepared, come out on top and break the streak to get their season underway – otherwise more questions will likely be raised.
COD Prediction: 36ers by 10 points
Catch all the action tonight at the arena on Cluch Radio with Tristan “TP” Prentice and our special comments guest whether you’re at the game or watching from home
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CROSS OVER DRIBBLE 