Round 21 Preview v Phoenix, Breakers

The Adelaide 36ers are fresh off two of their most impressive wins of the NBL22 season as they look to finish on a high in the final round on the road to the South East Melbourne Phoenix and New Zealand Breakers.

While the Sixers couldn’t quite finish their season at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on the winning note they hoped, they came together impressive last weekend away from home against two current top four teams.

The 36ers produced an outstanding performance to defeat the Perth Wildcats at RAC Arena last Thursday night 82-70 and then backed it up on Sunday defeating the Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Arena 90-82 to end their 13-match winning streak.

It was the second such winning run the Sixers have ended this season having early put to bed nine straight wins for Melbourne United and now they turn their attention to two more strong performances in Round 21.

The 36ers take on the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Friday night at John Cain Arena and then on Sunday afternoon their season comes to an end against the New Zealand Breakers at Hobart's MyState Bank Arena.

The two games present a real chance for the 36ers to end the season with some momentum against two teams also out of finals contention, and to continue on the form from last weekend.

There was a lot to like in the wins against the Wildcats and Kings including Dusty Hannahs combining for 45 points, Mitch McCarron 13 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists, Daniel Johnson 39 points and 18 rebounds, and Sunday Dech 34 points and 13 boards.

Zac Gattorna also stepped up with 10 points against the Kings on Sunday, and Tad Dufelmeier eight points, three rebounds and two assists.

For Sixers coach CJ Bruton, the efforts were what he was hoping to see from his group and now he hopes it continues in these two games against the Phoenix and Breakers.

"That's what you can hope for. Right now we're giving our best effort knowing we represent the 36ers, we represent our sponsors and our families," Bruton said.

"No one wants to go out losing ball games and no one's trying to do that, everyone's trying to do the right thing and everyone's heart is in the right place. 

"I'm proud of what we've achieved right now but our season's not over with. I am happy and happy for all our players, and look forward to the next challenge next week."

Last week's wins away from Adelaide in Perth and Sydney were only the Sixers' second and third road victories of the season but Bruton liked a lot of what he saw, and is confident it can now continue with these two games to close out the season.

"Road wins haven’t been our strengths this year and the focus has been really strong just with the understanding of what's asked of you, and doing it for longer period," he said.

"We've also made shots and like in any game, if you can have scoreboard pressure it helps. We're taking the right shots and we're knocking down a few more than we were early in the year, and when you've got a lead and aren’t fighting from behind and using all that energy, it becomes a lot easier. 

"We've done a good job to get a lead, build a lead and hold it for a little bit longer. Overall the completeness of the scout and the individual player scout has been really good."

Hannahs missed the previous four games for the 36ers with a wrist injury, but returned with a bang with 23 points against Perth and then another 22 against Sydney.

He enjoyed just being able to be back on the court and contribute to two wins for the team and for him, the key was just remaining positive and professional.

"It's just one of those things in a career where you're going to have highs and lows, only God controls how long that might go," Hannahs said. 

"My dad always told me one game doesn’t make a season and one season doesn’t make a career so for me, it's just coming to work every day being a professional and controlling the things that I can.

"No one likes to be out and playing basketball is what I love to do still. I'm blessed to be able to do it and get paid at 28 years old and I hope to keep doing it for about another seven years. I'm just glad I could go out there and help the team win. 

"I've really enjoyed getting to know this whole organisation and my teammates so for us to finish strong and have fond memories of each other is a good feeling."

HUNGRY JACK'S 2021/22 NBL SEASON – ROUND 21

ADELAIDE 36ERS v SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX
John Cain Arena, Friday 7.00pm ACDT

ADELAIDE 36ERS v NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS
MyState Bank Arena, Sunday 12.30pm ACDT