Round 1 Preview v Illawarra Hawks

The Adelaide 36ers are back at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre for the first time in seven months on Sunday and bouncing back from Friday night is on their minds against the Illawarra Hawks.

The Sixers started the #NBL22 season on Friday night in Perth and ended up falling to the Wildcats, but now there has been little time to stew over that ahead of hosting the Hawks at the Entertainment Centre on Sunday afternoon.

It's the first game in the building for the 36ers since May 23 last season while they are hoping for a first NBL victory since May 9 last season, and a first victory in front of the home fans since May 4.

There's every reason for the home fans to be excited for what they will see on Sunday against the Hawks and throughout the 2021/22 NBL season.

Despite the loss to Perth on Friday night at RAC Arena, there were positives to take out of the game for the 36ers including the fact they won the rebounding battle 46 to 37 including 15 offensive boards to 12, and 14 second chance points to 11.

The shooting wasn’t horrible at 40 per cent from the field but the three-point shooting needed work with 3/21 at 14 per cent so that's something the 36ers will be hoping improves with the comforts of home on Sunday.

Daniel Johnson put up 22 points and Cam Bairstow 15 while imports Dusty Hannahs (10 points, four rebounds) and Todd Withers (seven points, 11 boards) showed enough signs to suggest they will be capable of plenty more moving forward.

In terms of the health of the roster, Kai Sotto, Manny Malou and Sunday Dech will all miss Sunday's game again against the Hawks but late signing Hyrum Harris will make his debut for the 36ers and add to the previous 16 NBL games he played at Illawarra and Cairns.

Sixers coach CJ Bruton will be coaching his first ever game in Adelaide and despite having only been back home for one night with an early start for Sunday's game an added challenge, he is looking forward to it.

"We get home a little later than usual but again we won't be making any excuses," Bruton said.

"It's the flights that are available with how the league has scheduled the game, and you move forward. I'm excited to be playing basketball and I'm excited that our fans can come watch us play, and I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Taking on the Hawks is a significant challenge for the 36ers just like Friday night in Perth against the Wildcats was.

Perth and Illawarra played in the semi finals last season and many predict they will be two of the top teams once more this season, so it's another challenge for the Sixers particularly with the Hawks fresh and playing their opening game of the #NBL22 season.

It's an Illawarra team with plenty of firepower with Tyler Harvey, Justinian Jessup and Sam Froling among those back from last season while they have added bronze medal winning Olympian Duop Reath and new imports Xavier Rathan-Mayes and Antonius Cleveland.

It shapes as a fascinating first game at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre of the season for the 36ers and not only is Bruton looking forward to facing the Hawks, but butting heads with Brian Goorjian for the first time.

They have a remarkable history with the Boomers and winning championships at the Sydney Kings together, and now they lock horns as head coaches for the first time.

"I'm excited about every opportunity every time I step out on the floor to help our team and to work on our game, and to be in the building with our players. I'm excited about every opportunity I get, so I'm looking forward to it. I hope our fans are too and it's a good time to come home," Bruton said.

"Any chance to be in a building with him gives you goosebumps. He's a very enthusiastic and exciting person to be around, he oozes confidence and you've seen that with not only the national team but his teams here in the NBL. 

"He is a proven winner and to go against him will be great, but as it is to coach against any other coach and just to be coaching in the NBL."

It was business as usual for Daniel Johnson to lead the scoring again for Adelaide on Friday night, but overall he is hoping to see the offence function a little better on Sunday against the Hawks.

"It's just another chance to get better. We'll rest up, try to get healthy and just play more our style of game," Johnson said. 

"We'll try and get up and down a bit quicker, move the ball and get guys open shots. I'm sure we'll knock them down."

HUNGRY JACK'S 2021/22 NBL SEASON – ROUND 1

ADELAIDE 36ERS v ILLAWARRA HAWKS
Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Sunday 12.30pm ACDT

Broadcast – ESPN; 10 Peach; Kayo; Sky Sport NZ