DJ says 36ers ready for Hawks battle

Adelaide 36ers captain DJ Vasiljevic said his side must protect home court this Sunday afternoon when Illawarra Hawks visit the Entertainment Centre.

The 36ers have started the NBL25 season with a 4-0 record at home in front of four consecutive sold-out crowds.

“We have to protect home court, we are four from four there this season,” Vasiljevic told SEN SA Breakfast this week.

“We need to protect the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.”

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Vasiljevic said the side is keen to rebound from last round’s loss to New Zealand Breakers in Auckland, and have a renewed focus this week.

“It was not a good result by us, but we had some really good practices this week. Sharing the ball and playing defence,” Vasiljevic said.

“There will be nights where it’s not going to be our night and teams are going to hit shots.

“We just can’t get blown out like that, it can come back to bite us when it comes to percentage.”

With nearly the first third of the NBL25 season already completed, one loss separates the Hawks in second position and Brisbane Bullets in seventh.

“We have to stick to the game plan, know our personnel and keep moving forward,” Vasiljevic said.

“They (Illawarra) are a really good basketball team, they are playing good basketball at the moment, but we only play 29 games, every game really matters, anyone can beat anyone in this league.”