Bruton says 36ers 'need to show our DNA'

Adelaide 36ers head coach CJ Bruton has willed his side to show its DNA in Saturday night’s home clash against Perth Wildcats at the Entertainment Centre.

The 36ers now sit at 1-5 to start the NBL24 season and will battle a Wildcats team looking to also show its talent in what looms as a must-win match.

“The DNA, I want their DNA to show forward,” Bruton said after the 36ers fell 102-85 to South East Melbourne Phoenix at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Thursday night.

“If they put in that energy and that passion and not let it waver.

“Their mindset for the game is important, but their DNA on that floor for that game for 40 minutes is what I want to see.”

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Bruton said there were a number of factors his side must improve on after the 17-point loss to the Phoenix, which included the visitors going on a match-winning 15-0 run just before half time.

“Disappointing. That is what that was,” Bruton said.

“Giving up easy buckets in transition, means that you’re not quite locked in.

“In the first quarter, we were able to put points on the board, that wasn’t the issue, it was more of stopping and staying to our rules in what we planned to do.

“Our ball movement got stagnant a little bit, we a few defensive breakdowns, our communication and our body language showed we were out of whack from time to time there.”

Adelaide 36ers captain Mitch McCarron said his side “got beat” in a number of areas against the Phoenix.

“I think it was really obvious, the ball got stagnant, we weren’t moving at top speed, we weren’t cutting, we weren’t screening, and I don’t think it was guys trying to be lazy, it was just that hesitation, we have a game plan, we have a scout and we didn’t execute it, so we got beat,” McCarron said.

Bruton didn’t hide his disappointment and knows against the Wildcats is a non-negotiable.

“We made strides from the pre-season until this game, but to get a disappointing result, our effort, our hustle to get back and dig deep, to get over, to box out, to sprint the floor, to make the extra pass or play,” Bruton said.

“Everyone was step too slow and everybody was second guessing themselves.

“We tried to get out of that rut, but we couldn’t change that gear.”

Adelaide face Perth Wildcats on Saturday night at the Entertainment Centre from 7.30pm.