'We want to end the season on a high': DJ

Adelaide 36ers guard DJ Vasiljevic is hoping to send the loyal fans off with a win in the final game of the season against New Zealand Breakers on Sunday afternoon.

With the club celebrating Fan Appreciation Round, Vasiljevic said the team owes the fans one more victory after the tremendous support shown during the NBL24 season.

 “This is the eighth game in-a-row we have had a sell out and its Fan Appreciation Round so they have been good for us,” Vasiljevic said.

“It’s a credit to the fans, they come week in, week out and they give is the energy.

“We hope to get a win for them on Sunday and end the season on a high.”

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Vasiljevic, who is one of four 36ers players selected for the Boomers on Friday, said the side has responded well during the week after last round’s defeat to Brisbane Bullets.

“Today was really good – we came in and had a really good practice,” Vasiljevic told media on Friday.

“We know we have on more game to show not just the fans, but the league we have made strides in the back half of the season.”

New Zealand need to beat the 36ers to have a chance at qualifying for a top four spot, which would give the Breakers a double chance in the Play-In tournament.

Vasiljevic said the 36ers will be facing a tough Breakers outfit, fresh off their 103-87 win over Brisbane Bullets at home on Friday night.

“They have a well-built team put together and they have got some momentum over the past few weeks,” Vasiljevic said.

“They are playing for a Play-In spot, so hopefully we can knock them out and we want to go out on a great note.”

ADELAIDE 36ERS vs NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS
Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Sunday, 3.30pm ACDT

LIKELY STARTERS
Adelaide: Jason Cadee, DJ Vasiljevic, Nick Marshall, Kyrin Galloway, Isaac Humphries.
NZ: Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Will McDowell-White, Mantas Rubstavicius, Zylan Cheatham, Mangok Mathiang.

OVERALL
Played 77, Adelaide 34, New Zealand 43

LAST FIVE MATCHES
Nov 30, 2023 – Breakers 96 def 36ers 83 in Christchurch
Oct 26, 2023 – 36ers 97 def NZ Breakers 85 in Auckland
Jan 8, 2023 – Breakers 85 def 36ers 83 at AEC
Nov 20, 2022 – Breakers 89 def 36ers 83 in Auckland.
Oct 28, 2022 – Breakers 99 def 36ers 70 at AEC

STATS THAT MATTER

• Adelaide has won its past four home games.
• New Zealand has won four of its last five games against Adelaide.
• Adelaide has won each of its last five games when playing with a rest advantage.
• New Zealand has won the first half in 10 of its last 11 games against Adelaide.
• Adelaide has won each of its last 10 games at AEC after leading at quarter-time.
• Will McDowell-White has a career average of 7.0 assists per game against Adelaide - most against any opponent.
• Adelaide ranks 1st in the league for opponent free throws made per game this season (13.6).
• Will McDowell-White - 100th game for New Zealand Breakers.
• DJ Vasiljevic has scored 20+ points in four consecutive appearances - longest active streak of any player in the league.
• Parker Jackson-Cartwright recorded an equal-career-high nine assists in his last outing against Adelaide.
• Isaac Humphries is the only Adelaide player to have started every game this season.
• NZ has won the fourth quarter in each of its last four games after trailing at three-quarter-time.
• Parker Jackson-Cartwright ranks 1st amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.9) this season.
• Mantas Rubštavi?ius ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for 3P% (45.9%) this season.