Davis back for huge Wildcats battle

Import point guard Kendric Davis will return to the Adelaide backcourt when then the 36ers host arch rival Perth Wildcats in Heritage Round at the Entertainment Centre on Sunday afternoon.

Adelaide will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak, with the 36ers back in action less than 48 hours after Friday night’s 102-83 loss to Brisbane Bullets on the road.

After returning to Adelaide earlier in the week, a fresh and fit Davis is ready to fire and is back after serving a two-game suspension, head coach Mike Wells said he will welcome Davis back with open arms.

“We are looking forward to be back at home, in front of our home crowd and protecting our home court,” Wells said.

“Adding KD back to the group is exciting and we look forward to the challenge.”

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Davis will add an extra avenue to the basket, Wells looking forward to putting Keanu Rasmussen out on the court with his import point guard.

“On Sunday we will put KD and Ras (Rasmussen) out there together at times,” Wells said.

“That will give us a different look.”

Rasmussen scored a career-high 10 points to go with five assists and five steals against the Bullets.

“I’m super happy for him, he puts in a lot of work, watching him evolve over the past couple of months,” Wells said.

“For him to transition into being thrown into the mix the past two games, I’m super excited.

“He is a piece that the 36ers are super excited about.”

Wells said the 36ers will be locked in on Wildcats superstar Bryce Cotton, who has been on an offensive tear in the past two matches.

“I was an assistant coach at the Utah Jazz and Bryce Cotton was a young player for us maybe 10, 11, 12 years ago now,” Wells said.

“The respect for him and what he has done over here in this league, a tremendous respect for him so it will be fun to see him.

“But we will try to see what we can do with him as hot as he has been.”

ADELAIDE 36ERS vs PERTH WILDCATS
Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Sunday 4pm ACDT
Live on 10 BOLD, ESPN via Kayo Sports 

OVERALL
Played 156, Adelaide 69, Perth 87

LIKELY STARTERS
36ers: Kendric Davis, Sunday Dech, Nick Marshall, Jarell Martin, Isaac Humphries.
Wildcats: Ben Henshall, Bryce Cotton, Dylan Windler, Kristian Doolittle, Izan Almansa.

LAST FIVE MATCHES
Dec 28, 2023 –Wildcats 100 def 36ers 82 at AEC
Nov 4, 2023 – Wildcats 99 def 36ers 88 at RAC Arena
Oct 21, 2023 – 36ers 89 def Wildcats 78 at AEC
Oct 6, 2023 – Wildcats 82 def 36ers 75 at RAC Arena
Jan 14, 2023 – Wildcats 112 def 36ers 97 at RAC Arena

STATS THAT MATTER
- Adelaide has won each of its last 14 games at AEC after leading at quarter-time.
- The 36ers have won 10 of its past 11 games at AEC
- Adelaide holds a 1-5 record when losing the rebound count this season.
- The 36ers rank 1st in the league for free throw attempts per game this season (23.5).
- Sunday Dech is one of only six players to have made a three in every game this season.
- Jarell Martin has a career average of 19.7 points per game against Perth - most against any opponent.
- Lat Mayen has a career average of 1.7 three-pointers made per game against Perth - most against any opponent.