Operation stop Cotton awaits 36ers

Three-time NBL champion and MVP Bryce Cotton looms large as the man to stop as the Adelaide 36ers look to get back into the winners’ circle on Sunday afternoon.

Cotton has been on another level in the past fortnight, and Perth too will be keen to get back to winning after the Wildcats’ 121-111 loss at home to Illawarra Hawks on Friday night.

The 182cm guard has scored 99 points over the past two games, and the Wildcats will be looking for another huge effort from their superstar guard with Perth missing Keanu Pinder (illness).

Adelaide will be keen to snap a three-game losing streak, and will get Kendric Davis back for the Heritage Round match against the arch rivals. 

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THE KEY
Cotton is back to his best form, and showed why he is arguably one of the best players to ever play in the NBL with his 59-point effort against New Zealand last round.

He also scored a team-high 40 points in the Wildcats’ loss to the Hawks at home on Friday night and has come back firing after a rib injury during the first part of the NBL25 season.

Expect Sunday Dech to again get the task to try and contain his former NBL championship teammate.

Cotton will be a huge focus for the 36ers defence, but he too can create for others, and Perth have multiple matchwinners in their line-up.

THE SECRET
NBL Next Star sensation Izan Almansa has been great for the Wildcats this season and he will get a huge role on Sunday with Perth without their starting centre in Pinder.

Almansa can stretch the floor, can shoot the three, while also having the tools to attack the basket, and will be a tough cover for the 36ers.

Big man Isaac Humphries should be able to get the advantage inside the paint on the 17-year-old, especially at the offensive end and on the glass.

Almansa will have to combine well with import forward Dylan Windler to put points on the board, while never underestimate the effect of Hyrum Harris and Jesse Wagstaff.

DEPTH CHART
Henshall / Webster / Russo-Nance
Cotton / Pepper / M. Harris
Windler / Wagstaff
Doolittle / H. Harris
Almansa / Okwera

FINAL WORD
Both sides will be looking to bounce back after suffering defeats on Friday night, and how Adelaide integrates Davis back into the rotation will be intriguing.

The Wildcats have given up over 100 points in the past two matches, so expect this contest to be high scoring.

How Adelaide tries to contain Cotton will go a long way to the outcome, Dech will get the first crack at the superstar. But don’t be surprised if you see Adelaide rotate multiple defenders at Cotton to try and upset his rhythm.

Davis will play a huge role in this match, look for him to be ultra-aggressive at both ends of the court, but what team decides to play defence first in this game will walk away winners.