Round 13 Preview v Illawarra Hawks

The Adelaide 36ers begin a monster Round 13 in the NBL on Friday night against the Illawarra Hawks in Wollongong looking to make it consecutive wins for the first time in 2022.

The Sixers got back on the winner's list on Sunday beating the Cairns Taipans at Adelaide Entertainment Centre 82-71 on the back of outscoring the Snakes 73 points to 48 after quarter-time.

That improved them to a 5-7 record on the season ahead of this weekend that begins at WIN Entertainment Centre against the Hawks on Friday night and begins back at home on Sunday afternoon against the red hot Sydney Kings.

Friday's clash against the Brian Goorjian-coached Hawks is a chance for the Sixers to make up for a couple of losses to them already in #NBL22 – in Round 1 in Adelaide by 10 points and then also in the 'Gong back on January 24 with the 11-point defeat.

In that last game, former Sixer Harry Froling had the best game of his life with 27 points and eight three-pointers. Adelaide will be determined to make sure that doesn’t happen again and also that none of his teammates have breakout performances.

The 36ers will take plenty of confidence from not only the win on Sunday against the Taipans, but in how well they were able to play at both ends of the floor over the final three quarters.

Daniel Johnson delivered 18 points, nine rebounds and three blocks, Mitch McCarron 14 points, seven rebounds, six steals and five assists, Sunday Dech 13 points and five assists, Dusty Hannahs 10 points, and Tad Dufelmeier nine points and three assists.

There was a lot to like from the whole team performance as they forced the Snakes into 22 turnovers from which the 36ers scored 31 points from on top of being aggressive to get to the foul line for 30 shots and having just the 12 turnovers themselves.

Sixers captain Mitch McCarron is now settled with the team in Wollongong preparing for the game against the Hawks on Friday.

"We're excited for the game. There's obviously been a couple of disappointing results against these guys in the past, but we've got a great opportunity to try and string some wins together now," McCarron said on latest Sixers Fix with Scott Ninnis podcast.

"Last week was a good win and we know the situation we're in in terms of wins and losses, and lots of teams are in that situation. 

"It's desperate times for everybody and we know it's really on us to bring it every single game no matter who we're coming up against us. A win is just as valuable as the last one, it doesn’t really matter who we're playing."

HUNGRY JACK'S 2021/22 NBL SEASON – ROUND 13

ADELAIDE 36ERS v ILLAWARRA HAWKS
WIN Entertainment Centre, Friday 7.00pm ACDT

Broadcast – ESPN; Kayo; Sky Sport NZ