McCarron: 'We need to continue our momentum'

Adelaide 36ers captain Mitch McCarron said his side needs to continue the momentum in Thursday night’s home game against Sydney Kings at the Entertainment Centre.

The 36ers showed their potential during last Saturday night’s 100-96 win against NBL24 league leader Melbourne United and McCarron hopes this form is replicated against the Kings

“You get a big win like that (United) and the group galvanizes off that and it feels really good so hopefully we can carry that on against Sydney and keep that roll going,” McCarron said.

McCarron said momentum is huge in the NBL and any side can get on a roll, but belief is key throughout the club.

“If we win every game, we are going to be in (the top six),” McCarron said.

“We have been in so many games against every team where ‘we should have won that game’.

“We are not out of it by any means, we can string four or five together, we will be in a great spot.

“This league is wild, you can get on a momentum run and you can beat anybody and that’s what makes this league so fun.

“I believe in us, we just have to turn up on Thursday and get another win.”

Sydney have lost four of their past five matches, including back-to-back losses at home against Melbourne United and Brisbane Bullets last round.

Kings head coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah says his side’s focus is clearly on the 36ers.

“You just have to put forward your best effort, and if you don’t do that on a consistent basis, anybody can beat anybody,” Abdelfattah said.

“Adelaide right now, they are at the bottom of the standings, it doesn’t matter, they can beat anybody, we can beat anybody, Melbourne can beat anybody, anyone can go on a win streak.

“If you’re not playing as hard as you can be, consistently, making the sacrifices, playing the full 40 minutes, we won’t be successful.”

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ADELAIDE 36ERS vs SYDNEY KINGS
Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Thursday 7pm ACDT

OVERALL
Played 105, Adelaide 58, Sydney 47

LAST FIVE MATCHES
Oct 8 2023 – Kings 109 def 36ers 100 at Qudos Bank Arena
Feb 3, 2023 – 36ers 115 def Kings 108 at Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Dec 4, 2023 – Kings 97 def 36ers 78 at Qudos Bank Arena
Oct 21, 2023 – 36ers 92 def Kings 88 at Qudos Bank Arena
Apr 17, 2022 – 36ers 90 def Kings 82 at Qudos Bank Arena

LIKELY STARTERS
Adelaide: Trey Kell, DJ Vasiljevic, Nick Marshall, Jacob Wiley, Isaac Humphries.
Sydney: Shaun Bruce, Jaylen Adams, Jaylin Galloway, Kouat Noi, Jordan Hunter

STATS THAT MATTER

• Trey Kell III has recorded a double-double in each of Adelaide's last two games.
• Isaac Humphries ranks 1st in the league for points in the paint (222) this season.
• Trey Kell III recorded a career-high five three-pointers in his last appearance.
• Dejan Vasiljevic ranks 2nd for three-pointers made per game (2.8) this season.
• Trey Kell III has a career average of 22.3 points per game against Sydney - most against any opponent.
• Dejan Vasiljevic ranks 4th for FT% (88.1%) this season.
• Sydney has won the first quarter in each of its last four games.
• Sydney ranks 1st in the league for points per game this season (94.8).
• Jaylin Galloway ranks 3rd for steals per 36 minutes (2.4) this season. He had five in his last appearance against Adelaide.
• Sydney ranks 1st in the league for Q1 points per game this season (24.9).
• Jaylen Adams has a career average of 3.5 three-pointers per game against Adelaide - most against any opponent.
• Sydney ranks 1st in the league for three-point field goals made per game this season (11.4).
• Jordan Hunter has recorded 9+ rebounds in three consecutive appearances - longest active streak of any player in the league.
• Sydney ranks 1st for bench points per game (32.8) this season.