DJ fires 36ers past Kings in Play-In

An inspiring three-point shooting display from captain DJ Vasiljevic has sparked the Adelaide 36ers to a 95-88 victory against Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Arena on Thursday night.

The 36ers responded in a final quarter flurry led by Vasiljevic and Kendric Davis, fighting back from a three quarter time deficit for a gutsy seven-point success, the club's first playoff win in 2517 days.

Davis scored 24 points to go with six assists and five rebounds and was monumental down the stretch, while Montrezl Harrell was huge at both ends of the court for 18 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three blocks.

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Vasiljevic opened the scoring for the visitors from beyond the three-point line before Harrell, then Isaac Humphries (eight points, four rebounds, three steals, two assists) scored inside for an early 7-4 lead.

Davis started his account from the free throw line, but the Kings then went on an 8-0 run to open up a 16-11 advantage.

Vasiljevic responded straight away with another three-pointer, then Harrell scored inside and when Davis swished a triple on the buzzer, the 36ers took a 23-22 lead into quarter time.

The captain swished his third three-pointer to open the second quarter, then Davis stole the ball for a layup and a 28-22 advantage.

Sydney rebounded straight away, to cut the Adelaide lead to one point, but Vasiljevic connected on his fourth, then fifth triple as the 36ers lead extended to 38-31.

With the lead reduced to five points, Sunday Dech swished a three-pointer, Jason Cadee added another and when Davis connected on a third, the 36ers’ lead was 49-35.

The Kings fought back late in the second quarter, but Adelaide took a 51-41 lead into the main break.

An offensive rebound and layup from Humphries gave the 36ers a 55-43 lead early in the third quarter, but the Kings exploded on a 12-2 run to cut the margin to two points.

Sydney regained the lead for the first time since the opening quarter, before free throws from Davis, then Harrell gave the 36ers back the advantage.

The visitors took the momentum in the contest, going on a 7-0 run to extend their lead to six points, but back-to-back three-pointers from Vasiljevic reduced the Kings lead to 71-69 going into the final 10 minutes.

Jarell Martin (nine points, three rebounds) rolled in a three-pointer to give Adelaide the lead back as the game seesawed with both sides going basket for basket.

A three-pointer from Dech, then a tough move inside from Harrell gave Adelaide an 81-76 lead, before Davis took over.

Davis scored on three straight jump shots before a tough Harrell drive, then a Vasiljevic came up with a clutch steal and layup extended the margin to 91-81.

A sweet Harrell alley-oop dish for a Martin slam dunk then sent Adelaide through to a Sunday showdown with South East Melbourne Phoenix at John Cain Arena.

ADELAIDE 36ERS 95 (Vasiljevic 25, Davis 24, Harrell 18) def SYDNEY KINGS 88 (Adams 30, Oliver 19) at Qudos Bank Arena.
BOX SCORE