Home, sweet home for Breakers battle

Adelaide 36ers head coach Mike Wells says his side must protect home court in Sunday afternoon’s clash against New Zealand Breakers at the Entertainment Centre.

Returning home from Friday night’s 105-96 victory against Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Arena, Wells said his side need to continue their focus.

“We got to go home and we got to take care of home court,” Wells said.

“We have been a very good home court team the entire year, now we have more on the line.

“We just got to take care of home court against New Zealand on Sunday at 4 o’clock.”

READ MORE

• TEAM SCOUT: Tall test for 36ers in short turnaround
• PRESS CALL: Humphries leads 36ers' defensive focus
• MATCH WRAP: Davis stars as 36ers take down Kings
• MATCH PREVIEW: Team first approach key to Kings battle
• TEAM SCOUT: 36ers set for new-look Kings challenge

The 36ers will face a New Zealand side who lost 93-87 at home to Brisbane Bullets on Friday night and will be missing import point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright, who has been ruled out after a blow to the mid section.

Star centre Isaac Humphries said his side will be ready for the challenge, the quick turnaround much like last round’s effort in Far North Queensland against Cairns Taipans.

Humphries will also be up against Breakers centre Tacko Fall, giving away 18cm in height, but the 211cm centre is primed for the battle.

“A challenge is a challenge, he is a man mountain, he is a humungous human being,” Humphries said.

“I think we did a good job of that last game, so we will put that game plan together.

“We are used to one day turnarounds and having another opponent pretty quickly.

“Totally different situation and team, but that’s our job.”

ADELAIDE 36ERS vs NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS
Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Sunday 4pm ACDT
Live on 10 BOLD & ESPN via Kayo Sports

OVERALL
Played 80, Adelaide 36, New Zealand 44

LIKELY STARTERS
36ers: Kendric Davis, DJ Vasiljevic, Lat Mayen, Montrezl Harrell, Isaac Humphries.
Breakers: Mitch McCarron, Matt Mooney, Karim Lopez, Jonah Bolden, Tacko Fall.

LAST FIVE MATCHES
Dec 14, 2024 – 36ers 111 def Breakers 94 at AEC
Nov 2, 2024 - Breakers 109 def 36ers 82 at Spark Arena
Feb 18, 2024 –36ers 76 def Breakers 70 at AEC
Nov 30, 2023 – Breakers 96 def 36ers 83 at Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch
Oct 26, 2023 – 36ers 97 def Breakers 85 at Spark Arena, Auckland

 STATS THAT MATTER
- Adelaide holds a 7-1 record when allowing fewer than 90 points this season.
- The 36ers have won 16 of its past 17 games at Adelaide Entertainment Centre after leading at quarter-time.
- Adelaide ranks 1st in the league for free throws made per game this season (18.1).
- Isaac Humphries ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for FG% (61.3%) this season.
- Kendric Davis had 36 points in his last game against New Zealand.
- Adelaide has scored 90+ points in its past nine games - team's longest streak since NBL20.
- Kendric Davis has recorded 15 assists to just one turnover in his two previous games against New Zealand.
- Adelaide ranks 1st in the league for free throw attempts per game this season (24.0).
- The 36ers are 2nd in the league for turnovers per game this season (10.1).
- Kendric Davis is the only player in the league to have scored 25+ points in five straight games this season. His current streak stands at seven.
- Montrezl Harrell has recorded 9+ rebounds in seven consecutive appearances - longest active streak of any player in the league.
- Kendric Davis ranks 1st for assists per game (7.7) and 2nd for points per game (25.6) this season.
- Isaac Humphries is one of only two qualified players in the league averaging at least 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game this season.
- DJ Vasiljevic ranks 3rd for three-pointers made per game (3.2) this season.