Team first approach key to Kings battle

Adelaide will be looking for back-to-back wins on the road when the 36ers battle Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Arena on Friday night.

Fresh off Sunday afternoon’s 99-75 success against Cairns Taipans in Far North Queensland, the 36ers travel to Sydney where Adelaide defeated the Kings 111-96 late last month.

Import power forward Montrezl Harrell said his side is taking it ‘one game at a time’ as the 36ers continue to fight for a Play-In spot.

“We had a bunch of hiccups during the middle of the season, but we are fighting,” Harrell said.

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“When we come out with the right mindset, ready to go, when we play from the beginning, we are a tough team to beat.

“We have held some of the top teams to the lowest scores they have had this season.

“We are a hell of a team and we are trying to build off of that.”

Point guard Kendric Davis said the 36ers will need a team effort, especially at the defensive end to get past the Kings, who have won their past three matches.

“Forget offense, defensively is where it’s at. Anytime we can guard I think we got a good chance,” Davis said.

“Every game is our championship game right now and we are more than capable of doing it.

“We got to give everyone our best shot, because they are going to give it to us.

“We are dangerous, everyone knows that.”

SYDNEY KINGS vs ADELAIDE 36ERS
Qudos Bank Arena, Friday 7pm ACDT
Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports

OVERALL
Played 110, Adelaide 62, Sydney 48

LIKELY STARTERS
Kings: Jaylen Adams, Izayah Le’Afa, Bul Kuol, Xavier Cooks, Cam Oliver.
36ers: Kendric Davis, DJ Vasiljevic, Lat Mayen, Montrezl Harrell, Isaac Humphries.

LAST FIVE MATCHES
Dec 30, 2024 – 36ers 111 def Kings 96 at Qudos Bank Arena
Oct 12, 2024 – 36ers 89 def Kings 79 at AEC
Sep 22, 2024 – Kings 102 def 36ers 94 at RAC Arena (HoopsFest)
Feb 2, 2024 – 36ers 85 def Kings 78 at AEC
Jan 11, 2024 – 36ers 95 def Kings 82 at AEC

STATS THAT MATTER
- Adelaide has won each of its past four Friday night games against Sydney after trailing at three-quarter-time.
- The 36ers have won each of its last six night games against Sydney.
- Adelaide holds a 7-1 record when allowing fewer than 90 points this season.
- Isaac Humphries ranks 3rd for FG% (60.8%) this season.
- Adelaide has scored 90+ points in each of its last eight games - team's longest streak since 2019-20.
- The 36ers rank 1st in the league for free throw attempts per game this season (24.1).
- Montrezl Harrell is one of only two players ranked top 10 in the league for both points (20.0) and rebounds (9.2) per game this season.
- Kendric Davis has a career average of 3.7 three-pointers made per game against Sydney - most against any opponent.
- Montrezl Harrell has a career average of 12.3 rebounds per game against Sydney - most against any opponent.
- Kendric Davis ranks 1st for assists per game (7.8) this season.
- DJ Vasiljevic has a career average of 20 points per game against Sydney - most against any opponent.
- Kendric Davis has scored 20+ points in six consecutive appearances - longest active streak of any player in the league.
- Montrezl Harrell has recorded 9+ rebounds in six consecutive appearances - longest active streak of any player in the league.
- Sunday Dech has recorded 31 career three-pointers against Sydney - most against any opponent.
- Kendric Davis ranks 2nd for points per game (25.4) this season.
- Isaac Humphries is one of only three players averaging at least 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game this season.