NBL Cup Preview v Brisbane Bullets

There was a lot to like about what the Adelaide 36ers produced in the NBL Cup last week against the tide and now they look for a strong finish this week starting on Thursday in Melbourne against the Brisbane Bullets.

Things were on slightly shaky ground for the 36ers this time last week preparing for two games in three days against the Illawarra Hawks and Cairns Taipans on the back of the forgettable performance the previous Saturday against the New Zealand Breakers.

It was the first taste of the Sixers playing without injured centre Isaac Humphries as well and while Thursday was a narrow defeat against the Hawks, there was a lot to like about the performance that built up the confidence of the group again to take on the Taipans on Saturday.

The Sixers then came out and put together a terrific performance against Cairns to come away with the 81-71 victory. While Daniel Johnson stood out with 30 points and Sunday Dech's defence was at its best, every 36ers player made a strong impact on the court to contribute to the win.

That win improved Adelaide to a 2-4 record at the NBL Cup in Melbourne and a 7-8 record overall this NBL season.

That all leads into two more games in Week 4 of the NBL Cup starting on Thursday night against the Brisbane Bullets before then backing up in the very last game of the tournament within a season against the Perth Wildcats on Sunday also at John Cain Arena.

The 36ers and Bullets already met twice this season prior to the NBL Cup with wildly contrasting results.

Adelaide was playing its first road game of the season when the Sixers went up to Brisbane and won 85-70. But then two days later both teams played in Adelaide with the Bullets playing their first road game, and beating the 36ers 93-74.

Those were the last couple of games for both teams leading into the NBL Cup and in Melbourne, Adelaide has won two of six games while Brisbane is now in some hot form having won four of six games including wins last week over the Perth Wildcats and Melbourne United.

But last week for the 36ers was hugely encouraging and now they come into Thursday's game with Brisbane with the momentum from the win against Cairns and with having a few days to rest and recover, and to also lock into the scout against the Bullets.

Sunday Dech is having an outstanding season at both ends of the floor for the 36ers cementing himself as one of the league's premier defenders while his offensive game is at career-best levels as well.

He feels like having a bit of a break before now taking on Brisbane is going to be to their favour but he's fully aware of the challenge that awaits this week starting with the Bullets and then the Wildcats.

"I think you can take it two ways. A lot of guys have taken it as a positive to kind rest their body and minds a little bit because the quick turnaround take their toll," Dech said as a special guest on this week's Sixers Fix with Scott Ninnis. 

"But you can take it as another aspect in that the long breaks might give you a chance to drop off with our level of focus. But we have true professionals on this team and the coaching staff are holding us accountable to get ready. 

"Us having a lot of games early on before the Bubble and in the Bubble as well mans this break is much needed and some guys do need to freshen up for these two games.

"They are definitely the two hottest teams at the moment and we are excited by the opportunity to be able to play them. It's a league where anybody can beat anyone on and given night so we are looking forward to going against Brisbane first and then Perth. 

"They are obviously two different systems and game plans, but they are ones that we are ready to execute to make the games competitive and come out with the wins."

What the Bullets and Wildcats present for Dech is the huge challenge of trying to quell the influence of Nathan Sobey and Bryce Cotton in back-to-back games as well. But that's a challenge he's looking forward to.

"They are probably two of the premier guards in the league and the challenge any given night isn’t to stop them completely, but to try and limit their impact on the game and outcome," Dech said.

"Sobey is in red hot form and Bryce has been doing his thing for the last three or four years. It's a challenge in itself and I know that if I do my job on them then it will go a long way to helping our team win. 

"I'm looking forward to it and on any given night anyone can step up and I think I'm going to try and do the best I can to slow them down. Then I'll try and make them guard me down the other end as well because obviously top guys don’t like defending too much. 

"Hopefully I can get them in foul trouble and get them out of the game to help us even more."

HUNGRY JACK'S 2021 NBL SEASON – ROUND 9
NBL CUP WEEK 4

ADELAIDE 36ERS v BRISBANE BULLETS
John Cain Arena, Thursday 4.30pm ACDT

Broadcast – ESPN, SBS on Demand, NBL TV, Twitch