Match wrap: Sixers open home season in style

Six-time MVP Bryce Cotton added another 25 points, and Nick Rakocevic continued to take on extra responsibility with 21 points and 11 rebounds as the Adelaide 36ers proved too strong for the Cairns Taipans, winning 83-69.

The Sixers were playing their first home game of NBL27 at a sold out Adelaide Entertainment Centre after being so close to last season's championship and coming off a heartbreaking last second loss in Perth on Thursday night.

They were hosting a Taipans team fresh off an impressive win in their own home opener back on Wednesday against the Tasmania JackJumpers.

But it didn’t take long for the Sixers to take control even in the absence of Flynn Cameron, Isaac Humphries and Bul Kuol.

The 36ers went on a 14-0 run in the first quarter to take control and they never surrendered that advantage going on to lead by as much as 21 points before securing the eventual 14-point win to improve to 2-1.

Adelaide pulled down 14 offensive rebounds for the game and got to the foul line 21 times to just nine from the Taipans with Cotton once again top scoring with 25 points and four assists on 4/8 three-point shooting.

But in the absence of Humphries, it was Rakocevic who was again especially impressive with 21 points, 12 rebounds and 10/17 shooting even though he did go just 1/6 at the stripe.

John Jenkins III had all 10 of his points early in the game before Zylan Cheatham finished with nine points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals, and Jacob Rigoni added six points and two assists.

It was a disappointing showing after Cairns' first win back on Wednesday even in the absence of Luke Paul and Jaylin Galloway.

Jack McVeigh top scored with 21 points with 10/21 shooting, but just didn’t get enough help.

Jonah Bolden was the only other double-digit scorer with 11 points and six rebounds in 18 minutes while Malique Lewis had nine points and four assists along with a supremely impressive seven blocks.

Keanu Pinder had just the eight points and seven rebounds only 3/7 shooting.

The 36ers were attempting to bounce back from their loss at the death in Perth on Thursday in their home opener and they started in dominant fashion going on a 14-0 run during the first quarter.

That took the score from 7-8, with the Taipans narrowly leading, to the Sixers taking control at 21-8, then going into three quarter-time still well ahead at 32-17.

That was with Adelaide shooting 12/18 from the field to 7/16 from Cairns with Nick Rakocevic up to 10 points, and seven each to Bryce Cotton and John Jenkins III.

The 36ers retained control through the second frame and went into half-time leading 52-34 on 19/34 shooting to the 14/32 from the Snakes along with 6/13 from deep to 2/12, and 8/12 from the foul line to 4/5.

Jack McVeigh did have 12 points for Cairns but wasn’t getting enough help while Rakocevic was up to 15 points and five rebounds for the home team.

The Taipans did their best to make some inroads in the third quarter but by the end of it they had only closed the gap back to 16.

Even with Malique Lewis doing what he could defensively for Cairns and adding his sixth and seventh blocks early in the fourth quarter, Adelaide retained control and cruised to a 14-point win in their home opener.

The Taipans now remain on the road to open the Ignite Cup for NBL27 away to the New Zealand Breakers on Wednesday while the Sixers take on the Illawarra Hawks in Wollongong on Friday before a quick turnaround to play the Breakers at home again.

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ADELAIDE 36ERS 83 – CAIRNS TAIPANS 69

Adelaide 36ers
Bryce Cotton – 25 points, 4 assists, 2 steals
Nick Rakocevic – 21 points, 12 rebounds
John Jenkins III – 10 points, 2 rebounds
Zylan Cheatham – 9 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals
Jacob Rigoni – 6 points, 2 assists

Cairns Taipans
Jack McVeigh – 21 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists
Jonah Bolden – 11 points, 6 rebounds
Malique Lewis – 9 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds
Keanu Pinder – 8 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists
Reyne Smith – 6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists

‍BOX SCORE

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