Adelaide 36ers: Playoff Battle Heats Up
The stage is set for a crucial Game 2 between the South East Melbourne Phoenix and the Adelaide 36ers, with the Phoenix aiming to level the Playoff Series on Saturday night. Following a seven-point loss in Game 1 on Tuesday, Josh King’s side is eager to return to the court.
“We wanted to play on Thursday, so [we’ve had plenty of time] to make the adjustments we need to make,” King stated during Friday’s media availability. “We need to tighten up a couple things, and we have. [All that’s left to do is] jump the ball up here [Saturday] night in front of our fans and see what happens.”
The Power of the Home Crowd
King emphasizes the importance of the Melbourne crowd, believing their support will be pivotal in forcing a Game 3 in Adelaide on Tuesday. “Melbourne is the sports capital of the world, there’s always something going on, especially sports-wise,” he said. “I’m a little biased, but I think our show is the best show in town, and I know our fans will be here Saturday night.”
Key Players to Watch
The Phoenix will rely heavily on their All-NBL First Team selections, Nathan Sobey and John Brown III. King stressed the need for a collective effort. “Sobes is our guy, but if we want to win the game, we need a lot more than just him to play well, we need multiple guys,” he explained. “We need to come out of the game with several MVPs, and when we have those results, most of the time we win the game.”
Brown’s impact extends beyond the stat sheet. “With what he does, the numbers don’t always show up… He brings everything, all the energy, all the defensive mindset that we need in order to get big wins.”
Containing Bryce Cotton
A key focus for the Phoenix will be limiting the impact of six-time MVP Bryce Cotton, who exploded for a club-record 42 points in the first game. “We can’t allow him to get as easy of looks as he had the other night,” King warned. “He hit some tough shots… You’re not going to stop him from scoring, we don’t mind him scoring, but we have to make him work more on both sides of the floor.”
Game Details
Saturday’s Game 2 tips off at 5.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN. Stay tuned for updates and analysis as the Adelaide 36ers continue their playoff journey!
For more information on the NBL, including schedules, standings, and player stats, visit the official NBL website.
