Sixers ready to 'lock in' for home opener

A full 40-minute effort has been the mantra this week as the Adelaide 36ers come ‘home’ to the Entertainment Centre to battle South East Melbourne Phoenix.

Adelaide had opportunities to win both matches so far this campaign, the 36ers fought back to have a final quarter lead against Sydney in Round 1 and also had a double-digit lead against the Taipans in Cairns last Saturday.

Import point guard Kendric Davis said the team know what to improve on ahead of the clash against the Phoenix.

“Sydney, we were up, we were 12 points up on the road in Cairns, we just had some mental lapses we know we can clean up,” Davis said this week.

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Captain DJ Vasiljevic said his side are expecting a fired-up Phoenix, who are also winless so far in NBL25, to arrive at the Entertainment Centre on Thursday night.

“They have a really good point guard in Derrick Walton Jnr, they got a good scorer in Sobes (Nathan Sobey), a good four man, a good five man, we just have to come locked in, ready to play,” Vasiljevic said.

“We are giving up offensive rebounds, too many threes, that’s our biggest thing going in, we got to know the personnel.”

Vasiljevic said after the opening two matches, the 36ers are not far away from clicking.

“We played really well against the Kings, and a lot of people have picked them as the champions,” Vasiljevic said.

“We are shooting the ball really well and we are playing really well at times, but we are shooting ourselves in the foot at times with some patches.

“We play good for 34 or 35 minutes, we just have that little patch where they go on a run, and we have to lock in for 40 minutes.

“Getting more minutes for Montrezl (Harrell) will be the go and cleaning up a few things.”

Vasiljevic said Harrell will take another step within the rotation this weekend and is embracing having the big league experience in Adelaide.

“He’s played a long time in the NBA and he knows what it takes to win,” Vasiljevic said.

“I love having him around.” 

ADELAIDE 36ERS vs SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX
Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Thursday 7pm ACST
Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports

OVERALL
Played 18, Adelaide 10, South East Melbourne 8

LAST FIVE MATCHES
Jan 17, 2024 – 36ers 110 def Phoenix 85 at State Basketball Centre
Nov 17, 2023 - 36ers 96 def Phoenix 93 at AEC
Oct 19, 2023 – Phoenix 102 def 36ers 85 at AEC
Dec 24, 2022 – 36ers 94 def Phoenix 88 at AEC
Dec 11, 2022 - Phoenix 102 def 36ers 84 at John Cain Arena

LIKELY STARTERS
36ers: Kendric Davis, DJ Vasiljevic, Sunday Dech, Lat Mayen, Isaac Humphries.
Phoenix: Derrick Walton Jnr, Nathan Sobey, Joe Wieskamp, Matt Hurt, Jordan Hunter.

 STATS THAT MATTER
- Adelaide has won each of its past seven games when allowing fewer than 90 points.
- The 36ers have won its past five games at Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
- Isaac Humphries has a career average of 13.7 points per game against SE Melbourne - most against any opponent.
- DJ Vasiljevic has scored 20+ points in seven consecutive appearances - longest active streak of any player in the league.
- Kendric Davis ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for assists per 36 minutes (9.4) this season.
- DJ Vasiljevic ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for points per game (23.5) this season.
- Adelaide ranks 1st in the NBL for three-point percentage this season (53.8%).