36ers keen to rebound against Kings

Adelaide will be looking to snap a five-game losing streak on the road when the 36ers play Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Arena on Monday night.

The 36ers have won just one game away from Adelaide Entertainment Centre so far in NBL25, a 102-100 win against Illawarra Hawks in Wollongong on October 5, and head coach Mike Wells says defense is the key to road success.

“Our group has got to come together, and that starts at the defensive end,” Wells said.

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“You got to be able to defend and you got to be able to have a plan and be organised out there.

“Especially on the road, your defence is going to set the tone, your offense is going to come and go, you’re going to hit shots, you’re going to miss shots.

“The way you win your road games is on the defensive end.”

Adelaide will travel to Sydney looking to bounce back and keen to keep the NBL25 season alive after winning only one out of the past eight matches.

Captain DJ Vasiljevic will return to the Harbour City for the first time since his move from the Kings to Adelaide last season and also said defence was the key to victory.

“We need to lock in defensively, it’s as simple as that,” Vasiljevic said.

SYDNEY KINGS vs ADELAIDE 36ERS
Qudos Bank Arena, Monday 7pm ACDT
Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports

OVERALL
Played 109, Adelaide 61, Sydney 48

LIKELY STARTERS
Kings: Jaylen Adams, Izayah Le’Afa, Alex Toohey, Xavier Cooks, Keli Leaupepe.
36ers: Kendric Davis, Keanu Rasmussen, Lat Mayen, Jarell Martin, Isaac Humphries.

LAST FIVE MATCHES         
Oct 12, 2024 – 36ers 89 def Kings 79 at AEC
Sep 22, 2024 – Kings 102 def 36ers 94 at RAC Arena (Hoops Fest)
Feb 2, 2024 – 36ers 85 def Kings 78 at AEC
Jan 11, 2024 – 36ers 95 def Kings 82 at AEC
Oct 8 2023 – Kings 109 def 36ers 100 at Qudos Bank Arena 

STATS THAT MATTER
- Adelaide has won three of its last four games against Sydney.
- Adelaide ranks 1st for free throws made per game this season (17.8).
- Adelaide ranks 10th for three-point field goal attempts per game this season (24.4).
- Adelaide ranks 10th for second chance points per game (10.2) this season.
- Kendric Davis has recorded 5+ assists in 10 consecutive appearances - equal-longest active streak of any player in the league.
- DJ Vasiljevic has a career average of 4.3 assists per game against Sydney - most against any opponent.
- Isaac Humphries is one of only two qualified players in the league averaging at least 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game this season.
- Kendric Davis ranks 2nd for points per game (23.6) this season.
- DJ Vasiljevic has a career average of 20.3 points per game against Sydney - most against any opponent.
- Kendric Davis has scored 15+ points in 14 consecutive appearances - longest active streak of any player in the league.
- Montrezl Harrell is one of only two qualified players ranked top 10 in the league for both points (19.1) and rebounds (8.8) per game this season.
- Kendric Davis ranks 1st amongst qualified players for assists per game (7.4) this season.