Match preview: Sixers, Cotton head west for Wildcats match-up

The Adelaide 36ers are in Perth, looking to make it six wins in-a-row after victory over Brisbane on Friday night.

With Bryce Cotton returning to Perth for the first time since his much-publicised off-season switch to the Sixers, it will be one of the most anticipated match-ups of the season so far.

Cotton is a five-time NBL MVP and three-time NBL Championship player with the Wildcats and averaged 22.6 points in his 33 games against the Sixers, winning 20 of them.

To maintain their winning streak, the Sixers will need to overcome a run of seven straight losses against the Wildcats, dating back to October 2023.

On that occasion in Adelaide, Isaac Humphries led the way for the home side with 26 points and eight rebounds. Cotton, then in Perth colours was held to just 11 points.

Adelaide doesn’t have a great record at Perth’s RAC Arena, winning there just seven times in 28 visits.

The sides most recently met in Adelaide last month with the Wildcats coming home strong to win by nine points.

The Wildcats have a tough stretch of games out of the FIBA break, having beaten ladder leader Melbourne United on Thursday night, before backing up against the second-placed Sixers and then hosting Sydney on Friday.

The Wildcats have an extra day of rest before coming up against the second placed Sixers and no travel with back-to-back home games.

A win in Perth could see the 12-3 Sixers go top of the Hungry Jack’s NBL ladder and open up a four-game break on the third placed South East Melbourne Phoenix.

While much of the external discussion will be focussed on Cotton, his teammate Zylan Cheatham says the side is more worried about getting one back after a disappointing showing against the Wildcats a few weeks ago.

“This is a team that came in and smacked us in the mouth at our crib and we took that very much personal,” Cheatham said before travelling west.

“I think the majority of the group feels that.

“I mean, obviously, Bryce has his personal stuff going on, but for us, it's a matter of coming out, executing, getting a road win and trying to get some more separation on that ladder.”

As for what kind of reception he expects Cotton to receive from the Wildcats faithful, Cheatham was not sure but said he hoped the MVP candidate would be welcomed back to RAC Arena, where he enjoyed so much success.

“Obviously as a competitor, and Bryce being our brother, being the head of our snake, I mean, we obviously want to rally around and make sure he has the support that he needs going into a very emotional game,” Cheatham elaborated.

“I think that that's definitely gonna have some kind of impact, but I think, the fact that they beat us at home trumps every other thing.

“That's one of three teams that we've lost to. And we haven't got a win against them, and personally, I didn't play well.

“That was one of my worst games of the season so that's definitely where my head is at with that.

“Obviously, I want to support my brother in any way I can, but we just want to get a road win.”

Sunday’s game gets underway at 4:00pm ACDT / 1:30pm AWST.

If you can’t be there, you can watch the game live on ESPN via Kayo or Disney+ or watch it on 10 Drama on free-to-air tv.

ADELAIDE 36ERS v PERTH WILDCATS
RAC Arena, Sunday 7 December, 4:00pm ACDT / 1:30pm AWST
Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports or Disney+ and on 10 Drama

OVERALL
Played 160, Adelaide 69, Perth 91

At RAC Arena
Played 28, Adelaide 7, Perth 21

LAST FIVE MATCHES
Nov 9, 2025 – Wildcats 94 def 36ers 87 at AEC
Feb 7, 2025 – Wildcats 112 def 36ers 104 at RAC Arena
Jan 17, 2025 – Wildcats 110 def 36ers 103 at RAC Arena
Dec 28, 2024 – Wildcats 116 def 36ers 92 at AEC
Dec 8, 2024 – Wildcats 115 def 36ers 105 at AEC

KEY STATS

·       Adelaide has won each of its last 10 games when scoring 90+ points.

·       Adelaide has won the third quarter in each of its last eight games.

·       Adelaide has won each of its last three games after trailing at half-time.

·       Adelaide holds an 8-0 record when Bryce Cotton scores 24+ points this season.

·       Adelaide has won each of its last five games.

·       Dejan Vasiljevic has hit at least one three-pointer in 35 consecutive appearances - longest active streak of any player in the league.

·       Zylan Cheatham has recorded 6+ rebounds in 16 consecutive appearances - longest active streak of any player in the league.

·       Perth has won each of its last five games against Adelaide after trailing at quarter-time.

·       Perth has won each of its last three games against Adelaide after trailing at half-time.

·       Perth has won each of its last seven games against Adelaide.

·       Perth holds a 5-0 record when Jo Lual-Acuil Jr scores 20+ points this season.