Home, sweet home to spark 36ers in NZ test

Adelaide will be out to snap a four-game losing streak when the 3ers host New Zealand Breakers at the Entertainment Centre on Saturday.

The 36ers will welcome back Montrezl Harrell to the line-up and face a Breakers side on their own five-game losing run, after New Zealand lost 100-76 at home to Tasmania on Thursday.

Point guard Jason Cadee said the 36ers must focus on what the side can do to effect the outcome of Saturday’s match.

“We have our own things to worry about, less about New Zealand and more about us,” Cadee said this week.

“Everyone is going through different phases, and that is just the NBL.

“We watched them (on Thursday) and they are figuring out some pieces as well.

“But we need to be worried about what we can do and go in and get the job done.

“We need to get back to winning at home, we need to take care of that.”

READ MORE

• COACHES CORNER: Wells thrilled to have Harrell back
• TEAM SCOUT: 36ers with point to prove against NZ
• The Huddle: Montrezl Harrell
  
• Harrell back 'home to make big impact

Head coach Mike Wells said his side will make the adjustments required with captain DJ Vasiljevic (hamstring) and Sunday Dech (hamstring) ruled out and Harrell back in the rotation.

“We will work out what is the best match-ups for us to go out there and get the win,” Wells said.

“They got a lot of talent, they are well coached, they are going to be a desperate team, but so  are we. We have to be ready to play.”

Cadee said the addition of Harrell is a huge inclusion for the 36ers, and his combination with Kendric Davis crucial to being successful.

“He (Harrell) gives us something else, an edge we don’t have,” Cadee said.

“We have built our team so much around him and KD (Davis), so to not have them around for a few weeks, it showed.

“He’s fresh, he is ready to go and he looked every little bit he was before he left.”

ADELAIDE 36ERS vs NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS
Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Saturday 5pm ACDT
Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports

OVERALL
Played 79, Adelaide 35, New Zealand 44

LIKELY STARTERS
36ers: Kendric Davis, Nick Marshall, Lat Mayen, Montrezl Harrell, Isaac Humphries.
Breakers: Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Matt Mooney, Karim Lopez, Jonah Bolden, Sam Mennenga.

LAST FIVE MATCHES
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
Jan 8, 2023 –Breakers 85 def 36ers 83 at AEC

STATS THAT MATTER
- Adelaide has won the fourth quarter in each of its last four home games after trailing at three-quarter-time.
- The 36ers have won 10 of its past 12 games at Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
- Kendric Davis recorded 37 points, 11 assists and 5 rebounds and against Perth on Sunday - first player to record a 35/5/10 game since Andrew Gaze in 2002.
- Adelaide ranks 1st in the league for free throw attempts per game this season (23.7).
- Kendric Davis has scored 15+ points in 10 consecutive appearances - longest active streak of any player in the league.
- Montrezl Harrell is one of only two players ranked top 10 for both points (20.2) and rebounds (9.2) per game this season.
- Kendric Davis ranks 1st for assists per game (7.0) this season.
- Montrezl Harrell ranks 1st for points in the paint per game (12.9) this season.
- Kendric Davis ranks 2nd for points per game (22.3) this season.