Bruton knows Snakes have real bite

Adelaide 36ers head coach CJ Bruton said his side knows the capability of the red-hot Cairns Taipans as the third-placed Snakes come to town on Friday night.

The Taipans, fresh off a 94-88 overtime win against Sydney Kings on Monday night, have been firing on all cylinders so far in NBL23 and Bruton said his side knows what they need to stop to be successful.

“They are clearly playing good basketball right now, so trying to slow them down, their transition has been elite, (DJ) Hogg has been amazing for them and Keanu Pinder has been the most outstanding player this past week,” Bruton said on Thursday.

“The way he (Pinder) gets to the bucket, pressure at the rim at both ends, blocking shots and running the floor, he’s dangerous.”

Bruton is not surprised in the rapid rise of Pinder’s game in the past two seasons since his move to Far North Queensland.

“He’s a small forward who is playing the five (centre) and playing the same way Mitch Creek played,” Bruton said.

“When you play out of position, you can dominate and with his skill set it fits well in our league.”

Bruton said his side has been gaining in confidence the past two weeks, especially during the recent three-game road trip.

“We have been on the road, it’s about us coming together and learning what we are capable of doing and paying attention to the detail,” he said.

Friday night’s match at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre is the first for the 36ers on Brett Maher Court in three weeks.

“We haven’t been amazing at home but it’s been a very long time between drinks, and we are only here for a couple of days until we get back on the road,” he said.

“The competition doesn’t get an easier no matter who your playing against.

“Right now, we are looking forward to the weekend.”

Bruton knows the upcoming home stand, which includes six games in December, is pivotal for his side to make a statement to the competition.

“You’re either going forward or you’re hovering in the middle,” Bruton said. “You find out where you sit for the back end of the season.

“For us to be at home, playing through that month is very good and is crucial for us to get that home support around Christmas would be great and we look forward to it.”