Marshall fires as 36ers beat Elite

Adelaide swingman Nick Marshall wowed NBA executives as the 36ers got their NBL x NBA pre-season tour underway with a 86-81 win against Overtime Elite at The PHHACILTY in Phoenix.

Marshall had a game-high 23 points and 10 rebounds as he stole the show as the NBA brass watched on with interest.

The 198cm development player was in a new-look starting line-up which included Sunday Dech, Kai Sotto, Hyrum Harris and Fiston Ipassou.

Dech got scoring underway with a tough drive to the basket, then Sotto impressed on the low block to make it 4-0.

The Overtime Elite squad started with a bunch of intensity at both ends of the floor, but Marshall showed poise to make a tough three-point play, then swished a triple for an early 12-4 lead.

Anthony Drmic came off the bench for an instant impact, swishing back-to-back triples as the Adelaide lead grew to 22-10, but Elite responded late to cut the advantage to 24-16 at quarter time.

Adelaide’s defensive intensity lifted to start the second quarter, Antonius Cleveland leading the way as coach CJ Bruton started to play his main rotation, one fast break ending in a highlight dunk.

Overtime Elite, who missed some great opportunities in the opening 12 minutes, started to hit from outside, cutting the 36ers’ lead to 35-29.

Offensive rebounding again was an Achilles heel, Adelaide handing Overtime Elite numerous second opportunities but the 36ers still went into half time ahead 45-39.

The 36ers started the second half in reverse, giving up back-to-back dunks to Overtime Elite’s Amen Thompson (19 points, eight rebounds), then Bryce Griggs (14 points, six rebounds) knocked down a triple for their first lead of the game, 46-45.

Bruton called a quick time out and the 36ers rebounded with quick points from Cleveland and Marshall continued to impress.

Adelaide’s half court defense went up a gear or two, the rebounding improved rapidly and the 36ers built back a double-digit lead, 68-57 with 12 minutes to play.

The Marshall show continued to start the fourth quarter, a tough three-point play, an impressive drive and dunk attempt and then swishing a triple gave Adelaide a 20-point advantage.

But, Overtime Elite found one final surge, and when TJ Clark dunked and fell heavily, the margin was back to 79-73.

Ausar Thompson (14 points) connected on a pair of free throws to make it 79-75 and the 36ers couldn’t buy a basket down the other end for several minutes.

More free throws from Amen Thompson cut the margin to one possession, then Craig Randall II, who was used sparingly, found Deng Acuoth under the hoop for an 83-79 lead.

Randall II then was double-teamed, and Overtime Elite scored on the fast break for 83-81, before Marshall put Adelaide up 85-81 from the free throw line.

Overtime Elite had one last chance, but Kyrin Galloway came up with an all-important block shot at the rim and the 36ers survived.

ADELAIDE 36ERS 86 (Marshall 23) def OVERTIME ELITE 81 (Amen Thompson 19, Ausar Thompson 14, Griggs 14) at The PHHACILITY, Phoenix.