36ers with point to prove against Breakers

Adelaide will be looking to snap a four-game losing streak when the 36ers host New Zealand Breakers at the Entertainment Centre on Saturday.

The return of Kendric Davis had an immediate effect last Sunday, the import point guard scoring a team-high 37 points, while also dishing 11 assists and will this week go head-to-head with Breakers superstar guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright.

New Zealand will travel to Adelaide on Friday after hosting Tasmania JackJumpers on Thursday night in Auckland.

Adelaide will also be boosted by the return of star import power forward Montrezl Harrell, but will still be without captain DJ Vasiljevic (hamstring).

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THE KEY
Jackson-Cartwright is arguably the best point guard in the competition and there is no better match-up in the NBL right now than this one against Davis on Saturday.

Davis and Jackson-Cartwright are leading from the front for their team and are the barometers, expect the ball to be in their hands for a majority of the contest as they go head-to-head.

Both sides could look at throwing multiple defenders at both point guards, Nick Marshall and Keanu Rasmussen could spend some time on the NBL25 MVP candidate.

The 180cm point guard is averaging 19.6 points and 6.7 assists per night so far in NBL25 and can score on the rim and from outside, as well as finding his teammates.

THE SECRET
Big man Sam Mennenga has had a breakout season for New Zealand since making the off-season move from Cairns Taipans.

The Kiwi local has doubled his points output in NBL25, up to 13.6 points per night while also improving his rebounding to 5.6 per game.

His partnership with Jackson-Cartwright, especially in pick ‘n’ roll, will be key to the outcome of this game and how the 36ers cover this defensively will be interesting.

Mennenga is a threat for beyond the arc, while he can also finish at the rim and the Breakers will look to get Isaac Humphries playing defence on the perimeter.

New Zealand will also be boosted by the return of Jonah Bolden, who  has spent the past three weeks on the sidelines with a calf injury.

DEPTH CHART
Jackson-Cartwright / McCarron / McNaught
Mooney / Bairstow
Lopez / King / Davidson
Darling / Bolden / Anticevich 
Mennenga / Fall

FINAL WORD
This is a huge game for both sides in the context of the NBL25 season, Adelaide had New Zealand are currently on four-game losing skids after starting the season with great promise.

The return of Harrell is a huge boost for the 36ers and he will give the side an instant impact at both ends of the court.

Davis and Jackson-Cartwright will both look to stamp their authority early, but the side who gets their team involved the best will win this match-up.

Expect Adelaide to turn up the defensive pressure and continue to attack the rim in an up tempo style aiming to get out in the open court.