Round 17 Preview v Sydney Kings

The Adelaide 36ers now look to replicate their hot form at home on the road when taking on the Sydney Kings in a critical NBL Round 17 contest on Sunday at Qudos Bank Arena.

The 36ers have been in hot form at home recording double-digit wins against Illawarra Hawks, Perth Wildcats, Brisbane Bullets and Cairns Taipans to revive life back into their playoff push, but to be a legitimate finals threat they now need to be able to replicate that form away from the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

Right now the Kings still occupy third position on the NBL table with a 14-13 record while the 36ers are back in seventh spot at 12-16. That's what makes Sunday's clash so important for both teams.

A win for Sydney and they improve to 15-13 with Adelaide to slip to 13-16. And with the Sixers to only have seven matches to go, to be any hope of replacing the Kings in the top four they'd likely need to win all of those games they have left and just two of them come on their home floor. 

However, a win for the Sixers and suddenly things really tighten up. They'd go to 13-16 and the Kings would slip to 14-14, and with another clash between the two in Sydney next Sunday as well, the door would be wide open for the 36ers.

The most encouraging thing for the Sixers right now is that they are finding their groove under coach Conner Henry, and have a full squad available. 

With Josh Giddey running the point, Sunday Dech, Brandon Paul and Tony Crocker sharing the two and three spots, and then Daniel Johnson, Isaac Humphries, Keanu Pinder and Jack McVeigh up front, it's a good looking team.

Sixers coach Conner Henry is glad to see that now that his group are finding their chemistry and are now at full strength that more and more they are playing the brand of basketball he has been attempting to instil in them.

"I think they are starting to realise that it's an easy way to play and that it doesn’t cause you to have to work as hard when the ball is moving and popping, and you are getting the ball to the second side and coming off a couple of different pick-and-rolls," Henry said.

"It allows you to get easier shots and even in late shot clock opportunities the defence is spread out and we're able to get good looks. I think it's contagious and that's the way we have to play to be successful. 

"All teams are trying to do similar things on the defensive end, they want to disrupt you and throw multiple coverages at you. I think we can continue to grow on the mental side of that and be able to handle it. 

"We have a couple of days now to rest and recover, and continue to look at film and look at why it's a lot of fun to play easy, and to get ready for Sydney."

After those impressive four double-digit wins at home to keep their playoff hopes alive, Henry is confident they can now take that form on the road starting in Sydney against one of the teams they are looking to try to replace in the top four.

"We know what the situation is that we're in and they are all one-game series. That's what they are. We need to win our games at home and then we need to go on the road and play some very tough teams at home who are above us that are also in that mix to try to get that third or fourth spot," Henry said.

"We know the challenge ahead of us but we need to stay healthy and strong, and in general we feel good about where we're at with our health. When we have that we are starting to play a lot easier and freer, and that makes it more fun to go on the road and we'll be up for the challenge, I hope."

Adelaide import Tony Crocker is happy with the role he's playing as well and with the way the team is finding its groove offensively, it suits his catch and shoot strengths as a player as well.

"I'm happy to do whatever the team needs me to do whether it's starting or coming off the bench, it really doesn’t matter," Crocker said.

"I've come off the bench on a team before and I'm still going to come out and play hard, and do whatever I need to do to help the team win whether it's to play defence or to knock down shots.

"We've been getting better throughout the season at sharing the ball, finding the open guys and making the passes at the right time. 

"For me it's very important as a player who catches and shoots, and those extra passes, driving and penetrating creates space for me to be able to shoot and help the team out. It just really helps us when everybody plays well and plays together, and shares the ball."

HUNGRY JACK'S 2021 NBL SEASON – ROUND 17

ADELAIDE 36ERS v SYDNEY KINGS
Qudos Bank Arena, Sunday 2.30pm ACDT

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