Wells says Hawks battle ‘another opportunity’

Adelaide 36ers head coach Mike Wells says Saturday night’s showdown against the undefeated Illawarra Hawks will be a great, new challenge for his side.

Coming off an electrifying 93-83 home win against South East Melbourne Phoenix on Thursday night, the 36ers will face a fresh Hawks side hoping to keep their winning streak alive.

Wells said his side will prepare as best they can after Thursday night’s win and are ready for the next battle.

“It’s another great opportunity for our group,” Wells said.

“It will be a different type of game, it comes at us really fast, but we will do what we have to do.

“We will go and get prepared and go over there and give it our best shot.”

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Ending a two-game losing skid to start the NBL25 season, Wells was happy with the way he side adapted in different areas to get the result against the Phoenix.

“I thought our level of physicality rose and guys competed for longer stretches,” Wells said.

“Us being able to stay in the game and manage the game and hang on through their runs.

“It’s an emotional game and that was a positive step for our guys, maturity wise, to move forward.

“We will try and move this thing forward and do it on a quick turnaround.”

Adelaide will battle Illawarra Hawks from 5pm ACST this Saturday at the WIN Entertainment Centre, catch all the action live and exclusive on ESPN via Kayo Sports.

ILLAWARRA HAWKS vs ADELAIDE 36ERS
WIN Entertainment Centre, Saturday 5pm ACST
Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports

OVERALL
Played 135, Adelaide 78, Illawarra 57

LIKELY STARTERS
Hawks: Trey Kell, Tyler Harvey, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, Darius Days, Sam Froling.
36ers: Kendric Davis, DJ Vasiljevic, Sunday Dech, Montrezl Harrell, Isaac Humphries.

LAST FIVE MATCHES
Jan 20, 2024 –36ers 96 def Hawks 89 at WIN Entertainment Centre
Dec 31, 2023 –Hawks 91 def 36ers 84 at WIN Entertainment Centre
Oct 14, 2023 –36ers 89 def Hawks 80 at AEC
Jan 6, 2023 - 36ers 103 def Hawks 95 at AEC
Nov 3, 2022 –36ers 96 def Hawks 80 at WIN Entertainment Centre

STATS THAT MATTER
- Adelaide has won the first quarter in each of its last four games.
- 36ers have won five of its last six games against Illawarra.
- Five different Adelaide players have scored 20+ points in a game this season - most in the league.
- Adelaide ranks 1st in the league for three-point percentage this season (52.9%).
- 36ers rank 2nd in the league for points per possession this season (1.21).
- Isaac Humphries has a career average of 7.0 rebounds per game against Illawarra - most against any opponent.
- DJ Vasiljevic has scored 20+ points in eight consecutive appearances - longest active streak of any player in the league.
- Lat Mayen ranks 1st amongst qualified players for 3P% (83.3%) this season.
- Kendric Davis ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for assists per 36 minutes (9.1) this season.
- Montrezl Harrell ranks 4th amongst qualified players for rebounds per game (9.7) this season.