Sixers fire and then hold off Phoenix in style

The Adelaide 36ers produced some of their most inspired basketball of the season to set up a win that they still had to work hard to secure over the South East Melbourne Phoenix at the NBL Cup on Tuesday night.

The Sixers came into their second game of the NBL Cup in Melbourne looking to bounce back from heavy losses in their past two matches this season, but it was never going to be easy against a Phoenix team finding form and playing at home at John Cain Arena.

After a tight and high-scoring first half, the 36ers broke the game open in the third quarter with Daniel Johnson and Josh Giddey proving unstoppable, and the rest of the team joining them along for the ride.

The lead for the Sixers had got out to 17 points to start the fourth quarter after buckets to Isaac Humphries and Jack McVeigh as well, and the 36ers looked as though they would take some stopping.

The Phoenix wouldn’t go away, though, and a Mitch Creek-inspired 16-2 run had them back within five points before the 36ers did stop the momentum with a successful Coach's Challenge from Conner Henry.

That had the double benefit of denying Cam Gliddon three free-throws for South East Melbourne and also kept Tony Crocker in the game for Adelaide who was on four fouls.

That was on the back of a thunderous slam from Humphries and then again when the Phoenix closed to within a point, it was Humphries who steadied Adelaide with a three-point play.

But the Phoenix still had one more chance three points down and getting the ball back with 14 seconds left, but they couldn’t take advantage and Giddey grabbed the critical defensive rebound as the 36ers held on for the crucial five-point victory.

Daniel Johnson finished with a brilliant 27 points and 10 rebounds for Adelaide on 10/16 shooting from the field, 2/4 from long range and 5/5 from the charity stripe.

Isaac Humphries also delivered 24 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks on 11/16 shooting with Josh Giddey terrific with 15 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and two steals while knocking down 3/5 from beyond the three-point line.

Tony Crocker added 12 points for the 36ers, Sunday Dech eight points and six rebounds, Jack McVeigh seven points, Jeremy Kendle four points and three assists, and Brendan Teys two points.

Sixers coach Conner Henry was a proud and relieved man for how his team bounced back to win after a couple of tough losses.

"I was pleased with the way we came together as a group over the last two days after not looking real strong the last game," Henry said. 

"Everybody played a part, everybody bought into what we were trying to get across the last two days, and we needed a really good, solid, hard fought victory.

"It got a little close there in the end and I didn’t manage things too well, and I've got to be better in that situation but we got some stops and made some free-throws."

Josh Giddey and Tony Crocker scored early for Adelaide before Daniel Johnson got rolling with seven quick points, and Brendan Teys provided a spark with scores level at 19-apiece after one.

Jeremy Kendle then came on and scored a couple of important baskets for the Sixers before Johnson and Humphries got rolling again, and Giddey and Sunday Dech knocked down three-pointers that saw them lead by seven just before half-time.

That was cut back to one by the break but Humphries and Johnson had been impressive combining for 27 points and 11 rebounds while the team shot 55 per cent from the field.

South East Melbourne had started the second half well but then Giddey got things back rolling for Adelaide. He made a tough shot and then hit back-to-back threes to give the 36ers a lead that they'd never again surrender.

Johnson made two and-one plays and hit a triple over the next couple of minutes before Jack McVeigh and Kendle ensured the 36ers went into three quarter-time leading 79-66.

Humphries and McVeigh then scored to open the fourth quarter to put the Sixers on top by 17, but the Phoenix weren’t going to lie down. Mitch Creek inspired a 16-2 run before a huge statement two-handed slam from Humphries.

Crocker then made a couple of free-throws after a successful Coach's Challenge from Conner Henry and then an unsuccessful one for the Phoenix. Johnson and Crocker made important buckets after that too to again stretch the lead to seven, but South East Melbourne came back.

It was a one-point game before a three-point Humphries play and a free-throw from Dech. But then Gliddon scored a layup and drew an offensive foul. The 36ers held firm, though, and got a stop and then won the game 99-94.

The 36ers are quickly back in action on Thursday night as part of the NBL Cup against Melbourne United.

2020/21 Hungry Jack's NBL Season - Round 6
NBL Cup Week 1

ADELAIDE 36ERS 99 (Johnson 27, Humphries 24, Giddey 15)

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 94 (Creek 23, Gliddon 18, Moore 13) 

Points Awarded – Adelaide 36ers 5.5, South East Melbourne Phoenix 1.5

Box Score