Wildcats battle will be family affair for 36ers

Another chapter in the Adelaide 36ers-Perth Wildcats rivalry will play out on Saturday night under the stars at RAC Arena.

Adelaide travel to Perth after Thursday night’s 98-82 loss to Tasmania JackJumpers in Hobart with a point to prove.

The Wildcats have got their season back on track in recent weeks, with the addition of a new star point guard and have the top six firmly in their sights.

With the playoff destiny in the hands of both clubs, this contest will have extra meaning, and significance.

THE KEY
It’s a match-up against the Wildcats, Bryce Cotton will always be the key.

The three-time NBL champion and three-time league MVP will be at the top of all clubs scouting reports, and curbing his influence goes a long way to success against the Red Army.

Cotton, who is averaging 23.6 points, 4.6 assists and 4.1 rebounds per night so far in NBL23, has singlehandedly stopped the 36ers twice with spectacular performances at the Entertainment Centre this season.

The 182cm combo guard had a game-high 32 points as the Wildcats spoiled the Daniel Johnson 400^th game party on December 9 when the Wildcats walked away with a 98-90 success.

Cotton was at his all-time best, scoring 15 final quarter points, after being held to just three points in three quarters, when the Wildcats overpowered Adelaide 94-89 on November 5.

Making life tough for Cotton is paramount for Adelaide, he is the barometer of the Wildcats team and if Cotton gets going, his teammates usually grow in confidence and perform at a higher level.

THE SECRET
Tai Webster is back in the NBL and his addition to the Wildcats roster has given coach John Rillie a three-pronged scoring threat on the perimeter.

Webster joins his big brother Corey and Cotton in the Wildcats’ new-look starting quintet and the combination, which is only two games old, is showing signs of potency.

The 193cm guard can do everything, he can penetrate the key to find open shooters while he can also take over a game by himself and become the scoring threat in offense.

How Adelaide tackle the triple threat of Cotton and the Webster brothers is pivotal in the outcome of this match.

Antonius Cleveland will get the assignment on Cotton, while captain Mitch McCarron and Anthony Drmic will get first crack at the Webster brothers.

THE FINAL WORD
With playoff implications on the line, the best rivalry in the NBL will go next level in this contest. The Wildcats and the 36ers are two of eight clubs vying for a spot in the top six.

Adelaide will take some confidence in to RAC Arena after already winning across The Nullarbor 96-82 on November 24.

The Wildcats have been in Perth all week waiting after their 93-90 win against New Zealand Breakers on Tuesday and they will look to exploit the travel weary 36ers.

A huge advantage inside the paint should be where Adelaide attack the Wildcats. Kai Sotto, Robert Franks and Daniel Johnson should be big focuses on the low block to attack Brady Manek and TaShawn Thomas.

How Adelaide defend the new-look Perth offense, with Cotton and the Webster’s given the licence to explore, will be crucial. Perth will look to push the ball in transition, which could play into Adelaide’s hands.

Another huge game with so much on the line against the arch rivals, Saturday is an opportunity for the 36ers to get their NBL23 campaign back on track.

DEPTH CHART
T. Webster | Norton | Zunic
Cotton | Blanchfield
C. Webster | Travers
Thomas | Wagstaff
Manek | Majok | Hayes-Brown