Bruton expects 36ers to fire after FIBA window

Adelaide 36ers head coach CJ Bruton says his squad is healthy and ready to fire into the next phase of the NBL24 season after the FIBA international break.

Bruton said his squad has used the 13-day break to “work on a few things” to lock in and focus for a five-game stretch in the lead-up to Christmas.

“Getting healthy, learning how to execute and trying to bring the energy, our communication needs to continue to get better, keep improving in that area and making shots,” Bruton said on Tuesday.

“We need to lock in on the defensive end of the floor, giving our opponents one shot.”

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Besides not taking days off during the break, Bruton said the team trained as per usual while also getting together off the court to work on the chemistry, including one session on a go-kart track.

“We have had some really good scrimmages and we have had some great team bonding,” Bruton said.

“We are evolving, adding DJ (Vasiljevic) in and welcoming back Trey (Kell) to the group, we were able to add a few more wrinkles to our package and we have been solid.

“We are all about building great habits, when you have a break like this and you’re not playing, how do you keep the energy and excitement.

“You got to be able to perform, that is our job and our task.”

Bruton said the side is facing a tough road trip this weekend, travelling to New Zealand on Wednesday for Thursday night’s showdown with the Breakers, before backing up less than 48 hours later in Hobart against Tasmania JackJumpers.

“We are going to a different spot in New Zealand, we are playing in Christchurch, being at the airport at 4am, there is a lot of things which I think is unfair, but that is what life deals you,” Bruton said.

“Right now, we have to accept what is in front of us, we are going against them, they have changed their line-up, they have had injuries since the last time we played them.

“We got to have different line-ups and different strategies and understanding their defense and how we attack them.

“It will be a challenge, but I’m excited about our road trip ahead.”

Bruton said the starts of games have been a focus during the break and hopes his starting line-up can get off to a great start in Christchurch.

“Every game is important for us right now, and it’s about four-minute patches for us, winning that first four minutes, starts haven’t been our strength so far,” Bruton said.

You can watch Thursday night’s game live and exclusive on ESPN via Kayo Sports from 5pm.