36ers ready for Kings royale rumble

A finals date in Sydney is the ultimate test for Adelaide 36ers in the club’s first post-season appearance since the 2017/18 NBL grand final series.

The 36ers return to Qudos Bank Arena where Adelaide has won twice so far this season but expect a different Kings side on Thursday night.

Sydney is coming off a final round defeat to Illawarra Hawks but are back in the playoffs at the same stage as last season.

The Kings will be missing suspended power forward Xavier Cooks, but have the talent across its roster to cover the two-time NBL champion. 

READ MORE

• COACHES CORNER:  Wells confident ahead of playoff battle
• Cadee announces NBL retirement
• Import duo named in All-NBL teams
• Davis named NBL25 MVP finalist
• 36ers qualified for NBL25 playoffs

THE KEY
Jaylen Adams has been dominant against the 36ers in the past two games on his home court.

The NBL22 MVP has scored 84 points in the past two games against Adelaide and looms large again and will be at the top of the scouting report of head coach Mike Wells.

Adams has scored heavily in the past two games, but he can also get his teammates involved, and the match-up with Kendric Davis is mouthwatering.

The Adams-Davis match-up might not be at both ends of the court, with Lat Mayen and Sunday Dech likely to get the first assignment of limiting the NBL22 championship winner.

THE SECRET
The impact off the bench Kouat Noi has had for the Kings this season was rewarded on Monday night when he was awarded the NBL25 Best Sixth Man.

Noi has been huge for the Kings this season, averaging 14.8 points per game, nearly five points more per night than any other of his past five seasons in the league.

Shooting the three-pointer at nearly 40 per cent during NBL25, Noi has been given the green light and looms as a match-up threat for Adelaide, especially on the perimeter.

The Kings have been going to a ‘small ball’ line-up recently and having great success and this could be a ploy against the dominant Adelaide frontcourt trio of Isaac Humphries, Montrezl Harrell and Jarell Martin.

DEPTH CHART
Adams / Bruce / Amir
Le’ Afa / Robertson
Kuol / Maluach
Toohey / Noi
Oliver / Leaupepe / Spurgin

FINAL WORD
This is the biggest game in club history since the 2018 grand final series and after tough regular season, expect Adelaide to come out firing and with a new lease of life.

Making the playoffs has been the goal all season and the renewed focus the 36ers have had since their visit to Sydney on December 30 has proven this side has got what it takes.

Sydney will come with a renewed game plan and style after losing the past three matches to the 36ers, and Adelaide must be prepared and use their inside advantage to its full potential.

There are several matchwinners in this game and the 36ers must be switched on at the defensive to spark their free-flowing offensive flow.