Round 19 Preview v Illawarra Hawks

The last four times the Adelaide 36ers have played at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre it's resulted in double-figure wins, and the Sixers are hoping to further reward the home fans this weekend.

The 36ers have been in scintillating form the last four games they have played at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, scoring big wins over the Illawarra Hawks, Perth Wildcats, Brisbane Bullets and Cairns Taipans.

They now return this weekend for the last two home games of the season and while playoffs might no longer be reachable, the Sixers certainly won't be lacking in motivation and hunger to perform well in front of the loyal and supportive 36ers members and fans.

First up is a Friday contest for the 36ers up against an Illawarra Hawks team fighting for their playoff lives, but coming off a heavy loss back on Tuesday night against Melbourne United in Wollongong.

Then after the game on Friday night, the last home game of the season for the 36ers is against arch-rivals the Perth Wildcats on Sunday afternoon with the 'Cats coming to Adelaide still trying to keep their hopes of finishing in top spot alive.

That sets the tone for a fascinating final two home games of the season for the 36ers and there will be no shortage of motivation from the Sixers to perform well in front of them all.

It has been an eventful week for the 36ers since Sunday's loss to the Sydney Kings that ended their playoff hopes. Josh Giddey will now sit out the rest of the season to prepare for the NBA Draft while a foot complaint will sideline Isaac Humphries for the rest of the campaign as well.

The positive to take from that is the opportunity it presents for others and with that hunger they could bring as well as being fresh and determined to show what they are capable of, that can lead to some good and unexpected outcomes.

Adelaide coach Conner Henry has been pleased with the way the remaining playing group has gone about preparing for these final two games at home and he has no doubt of how determined they are to play well twice more in front of the Adelaide fans.

"It's been a good week. Obviously we have shut down Isaac for the remainder of the season and Josh is getting ready for the NBA Draft so we are a couple of bodies short going into this game which is a big hole to fill," Henry said on Sixers Fix with Scott Ninnis.

"But practice has been good, we've had a good two workouts and we are going to play a little bit smaller of course. Dan Dillon will move into the starting line-up and start at the point, and then we'll adjust from there as we go. All in all, we know what's ahead of us and we are looking forward to the game.

"I'm really looking forward to these last two home games. Our fans have been so supportive this year through COVID, the Bubble, starting strong, having a period of time where we were losing a bunch of games in-a-row and they have just come out consistently.

"We are thinking our average is up around the 7000 mark so we think we are second in attendance across the league so we have been very fortunate. We are very thankful to all our supporters and I know the boys really want to play two solid games this weekend for them, and to continue to build this thing."

HUNGRY JACK'S 2021 NBL SEASON – ROUND 19

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

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