Club pride sparks playoff success

Head coach Mike Wells said Thursday night’s Play-In victory against Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Arena was all about the Adelaide 36ers family.

Adelaide roared home in the final quarter to beat the Kings 95-88, the club’s first finals win since March 25, 2018.

Wells understands this win means everything to a lot of people and knows his side has a great responsibility to perform.

“It’s fun being a head coach, I’m living the dream,” Wells said post-game.

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“I’m more happy for the organisation number one, Grant (Kelley, executive chairman) and his belief in me.

“It’s been seven years since we have had a playoff finals win, so I hope everybody in Adelaide is happy about that.

“We are going to do everything we can to win one more, so we can have another home game.”

Wells said having Jarell Martin back in the line-up was a massive factor in the result.

“Jarell made a couple of huge baskets down the stretch, and I rode him for a while out there,” Wells said.

“I stayed with Trez and Jarell down the stretch, but Ice (Isaac Humphries) was great, he rolls, he puts pressure on the rim, and he defends the rim.

“When we have our top eight, we are as good as anybody.”

Wells said the side has made strides since Adelaide’s first visit to Qudos Bank Arena late last year.

“Since we sat here on December 30, we were 7-11, now we have 14 wins and are playing playoff basketball,” Wells said.

“There have been huge improvements in the group.”

Captain DJ Vasiljevic scored a team-high 25 points, but Wells had praise for his whole team, including the efforts of imports Kendric Davis and Montrezl Harrell.

“I want to shout out Trez, he had seven assists with no turnovers, that’s what happens when you double team him,” Wells said,

“He is a hell of a passer, he is a willing passer, he found DJ a couple of times early and got him going.

“Kendric continues to grow and mature as a point guard, he is an ultra-competitor.

“His offense down the stretch, the ability to get to the right spots, to get the right match-up we wanted and for him to make shots.

“Our team were communicating, they were connected out there and Kendric made some big, big plays down the stretch.”

Adelaide will now travel to John Cain Arena for Sunday afternoon's showdown with South East Melbourne Phoenix from 2pm ACDT.