'We need to continue to grow': Bruton

Adelaide 36ers coach CJ Bruton was pleased in the response but says his side still needs growth after Sunday’s 103-98 overtime loss to South East Melbourne Phoenix at John Cain Arena.

Bruton said his side made strides, coming back from 16 points down just before half time, but still needs those finishing touches to get the chemistry right.

“Better, it was a quick turnaround and I thought our guys responded from getting a butt kicking at home and playing this one out all the way to the end,” Bruton said.

“We had every chance to win that game, it was a great response from us.

“We know where we sit and we need to continue to get better and improving on certain situations but it’s a team game, it’s not one individual, it’s a team game and we keep moving forward.”

Bruton dismissed his side plays one-on-one basketball and is too isolation focused when it comes to scoring the ball, especially down the stretch.

“We play team basketball, every team is different, there’s are different coaches who have different ways of doing things,” Bruton said.

“Yes, we need to set screens better, we got some things we got to do to continue to improve

“It’s early in the season and I’d like to think that where our guys are at right now and what we have had to go through, that was a good response from what just happened to us.

“Our guys did a good job battling, we continued to grind, right now it’s just about being vertical and doing the best possible way for us to get a win.”

Bruton was particularly impressed with big man Kai Sotto, who had an impact off the bench against Phoenix big Zhou Qi.

“Kai did a great job on (Zhou) Qi and keep him away from the rim, and keeping his offensive rebounds down, we got to keep making improvements,” Bruton said.

Adelaide had a number of opportunities to seal the game late in regulation and in overtime, but Bruton says his team will learn form the experience.

“There’s not one play that made that game or broke that game,” Bruton said.

Adelaide now have to focus on their trip to Wollongong to play Illawarra Hawks on Thursday night.