Inside game vital to success

Adelaide will be looking for back-to-back wins when the 36ers travel to John Cain Arena for Saturday night’s Open-Air blockbuster against South East Melbourne Phoenix.

After last Saturday night’s win against New Zealand Breakers, Adelaide will face a Phoenix side full of confidence after their victory against crosstown rival Melbourne United last round.

Phoenix has won four of their past six matches and will be hosting their first ever Open-Air game.

Adelaide 36ers import point guard Kendric Davis, who is averaging 34.3 points and 10.0 assists per game over the past three matches, expects a tough contest against the Phoenix.

“It’s going to be a battle, they are a quality team.” Davis said.

“They have weapons right across the floor and we need to keep building.”

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The 36ers look to have the advantage in the paint and head coach Mike Wells said his side always looks to go to its strengths right from the opening tip-off.

“From a game plan perspective, we have an advantage inside against every team when you have Isaac Humphries, Jarell Martin and Montrezl Harrell on your roster,” Wells said.

“We want our size to set and dictate a lot of what we do at both ends of the floor.”

Wells said his side will look to try and limit the impact of Phoenix backcourt duo Nathan Sobey and Derrick Walton Jnr, who have returned to top form in recent weeks.

“They are a very talented offensive group, they have a lot of different weapons and those are the two main guys who get their engine going,” Wells said.

“They are two talented players, so you are going to try and disrupt their rhythm.

“They will figure out what we are doing, and then the chess match will begin, and they counter and how we counter.

“We have a ton of respect for them and what they do.”

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX vs ADELAIDE 36ERS
John Cain Arena, Saturday 8pm ACDT
Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports

OVERALL
Played 19, Adelaide 11, South East Melbourne 8

LIKELY STARTERS
Phoenix: Nathan Sobey, Angus Glover, Malique Lewis, Matt Hurt, Jordan Hunter.
36ers: Kendric Davis, Nick Marshall, Lat Mayen, Montrezl Harrell, Isaac Humphries.

LAST FIVE MATCHES
Oct 3, 2024 – 36ers 93 def Phoenix 83 at AEC
Jan 17, 2024 – 36ers 110 def Phoenix 85 at State Basketball Centre, Melbourne.
Nov 17, 2023 - 36ers 96 def Phoenix 93 at AEC
Oct 19, 2023 – Phoenix 102 def 36ers 85 at AEC
Dec 24, 2022 – 36ers 94 def Phoenix 88 at AEC

STATS THAT MATTER
- Adelaide has won its past three games against South East Melbourne.
- Kendric Davis has recorded 30+ points and 9+ assists in each of his last three games - first player to achieve that feat since Ricky Grace in 2002.
- The 36ers have a 2-6 record when losing the rebound count this season.
- Adelaide ranks 1st in the league for free throws made per game this season (18.2).
- The 36ers rank 1st in the league for free throw attempts per game this season (24.4).
- Kendric Davis is one of only three players ranked top 10 in the league for both points (23.3) and assists (7.2) per game this season.
- Jarell Martin has a career average of 9.0 rebounds per game against South East Melbourne - most against any opponent.
- Kendric Davis has scored 15+ points in 11 consecutive appearances - longest active streak of any player in the league.
- Adelaide is +88 with Montrezl Harrell on the floor and -111 when he's off this season - the best on/off split differential in the league.
- Nick Marshall made a career-high three three-pointers against New Zealand in Round 12.
- Isaac Humphries has a career average of 14.5 points per game against South East Melbourne - most against any opponent.
- Montrezl Harrell has scored 20+ points in six consecutive appearances - longest active streak of any player in the league.