Author: Tristan Prentice

Adelaide 36ers vs. New Zealand Breakers
When: 4:30pm (AEDT), Sunday 24th November
Where: Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
Broadcast: NBL TV, SBS On Demand/Viceland, Twitch TV

Last times they’ve met:

Rd 23 2019/2020: New Zealand Breakers 107 (Long 28, Richard 24) defeated by Adelaide 36ers 114 (Sobey 27) at Spark Arena (Wave City)

In Adelaide- 4 Jan 2019: Adelaide 36ers 96 (Sobey 23) lost to New Zealand Breakers 104 (Long 28, Wesley 19) at Titanium Security Arena (The Fortress)

SIXERS SHOT BACK INTO HISTORY

Rd 21 2009: Maher stamps himself literally into 36ers History

This one was probably the most memorable 36ers match against the New Zealand Breakers barring that club’s first NBL game many seasons ago. The night had all the fanfare and farewell of a club legend with the court the superstar 36ers point guard Brett Maher had graced for many years being unveiled as his very own, the Brett Maher Court.

The most famous story of the night was not the 17pts he dropped in his final game as Adelaide outlasted the Breakers 102-91 but it was the NBA distance shot that brought the house down that sealed the match in his final home game for the 36ers. This shot wrote history so much that the Brett Maher Court insignia unveiled on the night was simply replaced in emphatic sentimentality with the signature of the great champion in the very spot he knocked down that shot.

Key Match-Ups:

Jerome Randle vs. RJ Hampton

Randle has been running hot last couple of games averaging 23 points per game and contrary to many people’s opinions, he’s been getting those points through good ball movement at the offensive end of the floor. Enter probably the most important player for the Breakers defensively in Hampton who will need to shutdown Randle so Corey Webster can go to work against the Sixers back court. He has had a quiet last couple of games but if Breakers are any chance, he needs to fire to help Webster combat the firepower of the Sixers.

Anthony Drmic vs Sek Henry

Can finally say it Frank who? Anthony is now making a name for himself and we are finally seeing the potential in him come to fruition consistently week in and out. That was highlighted by a sneaky hops dunk against the Bullets Friday night. He’s been super consistent as one of the best defenders all season and also averaging 12.5 ppg and 6 rpg in an all-round performance in the NBL this season. Add his ability to light up beyond the arc and he’s a threat to the Breakers big time. That’s also the kind of player that can get off the chain for the Sixers, last year it was Patrick Richard this year it’s Sek Henry that holds that potential. Although only shooting at 25 percent if given space he’s the kind of player that can hurt the Sixers traditionally from the 45s and the corners.

Jack McVeigh vs. Finn Delaney

The one match-up I’m really look forward to is when the two energy guys match-up on each other. Both are the teams spark plugs and Delaney has given the Sixers headaches before but McVeigh is starting to get to his level and with the home court advantage I expect “jumpin” Jack to win the enthusiasm battle on and off the court.

The Last Play

They are all big games as coach Joey Wright has stated but this is a big one in terms of staying in touch with the teams above. The Sixers were desperately unlucky on one hand not to down the Bullets in the armoury but shot themselves in the foot on their rebounding giving their opponents multiple opportunities to score; They now must make amends by taking care of the Ken Cole-sseum. A loss here sees them slip away from the vastly improved Cairns Taipans and Jekyl Hyde Bullets and with desperate Breakers trying to reverse their form on and off court, this is a danger game. I do expect the Sixers to address the defensive rebounding issues and shut down the Breakers front court from getting those boards and closing out the key perimeter shooters.

It’s city round so as the City of Churches we better say some prayers for the Sixers defensive rebounding as if those issues from Friday night are not addressed, it might be more than 40 days and 40 nights the Sixers are wandering through to get to the NBL finals.

36ers by 12pts

*This article is a duplicate of an article written for publishing for And The Foul.net and may appear before or after publishing

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

Adelaide 36ers vs. Perth Wildcats
When: 7:00pm (AEDT), Friday 15th November
Where: Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
Broadcast: NBL TV, SBS On Demand/Viceland, Twitch TV

Last times they’ve met:

Rd 24 2019/2020: Perth Wildcats 93 (Cotton 29, White 20) defeated Adelaide 36ers 85 (D Johnson 23) at Perth Arena (The Jungle)

In Adelaide- 17 Jan 2019: Adelaide 36ers 97 (Conger 18, D Johnson 17) lost to Perth Wildcats 84 (White 24) at Titanium Security Arena (The Fortress)

SIXERS SHOT BACK INTO HISTORY

Game 1 Grand Final Series 2014/2015: Brendan who?

Not only was game one a classic NBL Grand Final match but it also completed the rise of Brendan Teys from 10^th man to Joey Wright’s equivalent of the Wildcats number one percent man Damian Martin. Whilst Teys’s story is not quite the gradual rise of the Damian Martin career there are certainly similarities. Martin started at college as a relative no name in Australian basketball suiting up for many team’s benches including the West Sydney Razorbacks and the Sydney Spirit before eventually landing his spot at the Wildcats in 2009/10. Martin then went on to forge his reputation of “Mr One Percenter” in the Wildcats finals campaigns throughout the 2010-2014 finals campaigns.

Teys as Wright described has always been a hard worker and it showed in his commitment. “He had a lot of reason to quit, he lived in Brisbane he used to drive down to the Gold Coast to train with us which was a huge drive each way, he’s worked hard and knows exactly what we want out there on the court and he’s now one of the leaders on this team.” In this classic match, Joey threw Teys into the starting line-up when many thought Jason Cadee or Mitch Creek would start the match, Joey knew he could rely on Teys in such a crucial situation. Teys contributed with a career high 14pts in a game that had it all, physicality, big shots and big plays.

Make sure you go back through the NBL TV archives and watch this one…

Key Match-Ups:

Ramone Moore vs. Terrico White

Terrico has been white hot against the Sixers in recent matches and along with consistent form one of the most dangerous road side duos in the NBL. White scored 20 and 24 points against Adelaide on the road last season and thats the kind of offensive performance that can put the Sixers to the sword. The absence of Moore’s contribution from Adelaide’s loss to United last Sunday puts into perspective how crucial his contribution is both defensively and offensively to the Sixers stopping White from putting on a shooting clinic in the Ken Cole-sseum.

Eric Griffin vs Dario Hunt

Both imports have had some time to adjust to the “NBL” style of officiating and will both play crucial roles in how long they can stay on the floor out of foul trouble as the rebound count is generally an indicator as to how many of the guards get multiple field goal attempts particularly between these two sides. The Wildcats rely heavily on a half court game and dominating the offensive glass to create multiple opportunities for White and Cotton, Hunt has averaged 6 rebounds per game including 2.6 offensive boards which the Sixers will need to stop. On the other side, Griffin has averaged 5 rebounds per game but the longer he’s on the floor, the better the Sixers defence and rim protection is out there with Griffin holding an average of 2.1 rejections per match.

Obi Kyei vs. Majok Majok

If foul trouble is to play a part for the big import post men, the back-up post players and defenders may have a significant say in this one and this is where the Sixers can get an advantage. Kyei is going to have up and down games in his first season but similar to Majok Deng against the Wildcats the last couple of seasons, the athletic big-man is a match-up the Wildcats don’t have an easy answer for. Their best direct match-up is a reinvented Majok Majok but even he’s fairly “straight up and down” as a defender so open court and Obi Kyei will be what the Sixers will be looking for.

The Last Play

It’s really hard to place the Sixers where they are in the title race at this point of the season. Having played less games and taken care of home bar one thrilling loss to the Kings, this Friday is a test of how solid the Sixers are and whether they can take care of their home court. The key to this season is keeping the squad healthy, together, bench depth as when injuries or form hit other teams to make sure they at least take care of their home court as a first priority. I sensed we’d have a flat patch against United last Sunday but getting the Wildcats on the back of a double away road trip right now, we simply can’t afford to drop these games. I do not for one minute underestimate the power or ability of the Wildcats anymore after making that mistake numerous times, I have come to the conclusion there is never an easy game against the Wildcats. If the Sixers take that mentality into this game, they’ll come away with a solid win but if they look at that bench with not much depth and think we stop a couple of guys, those guys will play bigger roles in the Sixers downfall than the Wildcats supporting cast in High School Musical.

The Sixers have to be all in this together…

36ers by 9pts

*This article is a duplicate of an article written for publishing for And The Foul.net and may appear before or after publishing