Defensive focus key to Bullets battle

Adelaide 36ers will face a Brisbane side keen to score some points when the Bullets visit the Entertainment Centre on Friday night.

Friday night’s match is Brisbane’s NBL Summer Shootout game, where the Bullets will need to score more than 111 points to have the opportunity to win the new league format.

Brisbane has already scored over 100 points in both games against the 36ers this season, but Adelaide’s new look defensive will be put to the test as the Bullets aim to tick the scoreboard over.

The Bullets are missing key personnel and could see some players return to the roster for Friday night’s battle against an Adelaide side which will be full strength for only the ninth time in NBL25.

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THE KEY
Casey Prather has been enormous for the Bullets this season and his two outings against Adelaide have been outstanding.

Prather scored 33 points on 82 per cent shooting in a 102-83  win in Brisbane on December 6, then poured in another 36 points on Christmas Eve as the Bullets won 111-90.

His shift to the power forward spot has been crucial this season, Prather will stretch the Adelaide defense out to the perimeter where he will generate mismatches.

A team defensive focus is now the focus, expect the 36ers to throw  multiple assignments towards Prather, including Lat Mayen, but expect a holistic approach to shut down the three-time NBL champion.

THE SECRET
Brisbane’s recent import signing Josh Adams needs no introduction, the combo guard almost singlehandedly won Tasmania JackJumpers in NBL22 championship in their debut season.

Across seven games for the Bullets in NBL25, the 188cm guard has averaged 11 points per game, well down from his 17.4 per night during NBL22, but he has the ability to win a game by himself.

Adams has amazing shot making skills and is a true scorer and a player Adelaide must limit early, an early head-to-head match-up with DJ Vasiljevic looms large.

Besides Adams, the 36ers will remember the impact Isaac White had on the contest on Christmas Eve, where he scored 14 of his season-high 22 points in the opening quarter.

DEPTH CHART
Norton / Savage / Naar
Adams / White / Devers
Cook / Kunen
Prather / Adel
Smith-Milner / Dalton

FINAL WORD
After winning the past three matches to get to a 13-13 record, Adelaide must continue to build on the new found form the 2025 calendar year has brought.

Defensive focus will always be the key to the contest, Adelaide’s ability to generate multiple stops sparks its high-octane offense.

Adelaide is rated the best defensive side in the competition over the past eight matches and the 36ers need to build on this effort even further.

Friday night could potentially be the final time the 36ers play in front of their home fans for NBL25, and that motivation enough should spark an increased desire to achieve results.