Adelaide will face the Sydney Kings in round seven of the NBL season – their third match-up of the year. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:30pm (AEDT).
The first two games in this series have both been comfortable wins from Adelaide, with the 36ers cruising to a 30-point win over the Kings in round three. The 36ers currently sit fourth, while the Kings sit at the bottom of the ladder with just two wins from their first nine games.
The Kings have added former MVP Jerome Randle to the mix, who should be free to suit up in his first game of the season against his former club in Adelaide.
The 36ers have their own star import who has spent time with the enemy in Josh Childress.
The way Randle left the 36ers will ensure a frosty reception from the Adelaide faithful.
Both teams will be looking to rebound from a loss last week with Adelaide going down by 9 points to the Illawarra Hawks and the Kings no match for Melbourne United, going down by 18.
The Kings cannot improve their standings with a win in this game, sitting two games behind Cairns. However, for the 36ers a win will keep them even with Melbourne United but, with a loss, there’s a potential drop as far down as seventh if the teams below all get wins.
The new imports from both teams will be the ones to watch.
Josh Childress is well and truly a seasoned veteran now and will not be expected to have the sort of impact he was tasked with in Sydney. He is a wildcard for this Adelaide team now, and will want to put on a show against his former squad.
Jerome Randle will have a lot to play for individually against a hostile crowd. In his return to the NBL, he will look to continue on his former MVP form and lead the Kings from the front.
Sydney’s other import Jeremy Tyler played his first game last week and that little bit of exposure will help him get ready for a tough task against the 36ers.
Prediction
The difference in talent may have closed up a bit, however, the 36ers in front of their home crowd will be tough to beat. Add to the mix that the 36ers don’t want to lose footing in the top four race and it’s their match to lose.
Adelaide 36ers by 10.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Adelaide overcome slow start to overpower the Kings. The Adelaide 36ers have won just their second home game of the season with a 108 to 93 point win over the Sydney Kings. Sydney started the game strongly cruising to an early 8-2 lead in the first quarter before the Sixers decided go on their own mini run. Sydney eventually took a 3 point lead into the first quarter but that would be the one and only time they lead at a break as the Sixers really turned it on in the 2nd quarter. Despite a slow start from both teams in the 2nd quarter the Sixers found their feet first and started to apply the pressure to the Kings. Sydney was struggling with foul problems as their big men were both struggling to stay away from the referees whistle.Adelaide took a 10 point lead going into the 2nd half after a strong 35 point second term. Perry Ellis was dominant all night for the Kings scoring 26 points however between his foul struggles and the Jeremy Tyler still struggling to find his feet in front of the refs they were both limited as to what they could do. Jerome Randle struggled early in his return to Adelaide after his unceremonious exit last season. The third quarter started slow again for both teams with Adelaide going 3 minutes before getting on the board. Sydney tried to get the game back onto their terms but the Sixers were able to keep them at bay with some solid defense and scoring. Adelaide had 6 players all in double digits with Shannon Shorter leading the way with 19. Adelaide were struggling early on the rebounding side but ultimately lead the game with 39 compared to Sydney's 37. A sloppy affair from both teams with 32 turnovers between both of these sides (Sydney 18 Adelaide 14) preventing some high energy play we would have liked to have seen from either of these teams. Despite a late effort from Jerome Randle who knocked down 2 3 pointers in the final quarter the Sixers were able to hold off the Kings quite easily in the end. Sydney tried to make more of a game of it getting the deficit back to 9 points however that was as close as they would get for the rest of the game as Adelaide took the win by 15. Sydney are still anchored to the bottom of the ladder and unless things drastically turn around their chances of making the playoffs could be almost over. Jerome Tyler showed some good signs for the Kings but until he can get his fouling tendency out of his game he may be on his way back out of the league as fast as he has come in. Solid overall game from the Sixers ahead of a difficult stretch for them before Christmas where they face the other top 3 teams both at home and away. Adelaide 108 Sydney 93. Leading scorers. Adelaide: Shannon Shorter 19 Sydney: Perry Ellis 26 Leading rebounds Adelaide: Daniel Johnson 9 Sydney: Isaac Humphries 10 Leading Assists. Adelaide: Shannon Shorter 6 Sydney: Brad Newley 6
Scott Pryde
Expert
Kings are cooked. Season over. Cheers Sam
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Daniel Johnson knocks down two free throws and the lead is back out to 15 as the game finishes. Adelaide 108 Sydney 93.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Creek at the line shooting 2 as Perry Ellis fouls out. He makes 1. Timeout. Adelaide 106 Sydney 93. 4th quarter.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Johnson with the 2 for the Sixers. Randle responds immediately with a layup. Adelaide 105 Sydney 93. 1:26 remaining.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Humphries collects the ball inside the paint off a nice pass from Newley. Adelaide 100 Sydney 91. 1:55 left.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Perry Ellis at the line shooting 2 and he knocks them both down. 9 point game. Adelaide 98 Sydney 89. 2:34
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Randle is trying to keep the Kings in the game as he nails another long 3. Adelaide 98 Sydney 87. 2:59 4th q
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Randle with another 3 and it is back to a 12 point game. Adelaide 96 Sydney 84. 3:37 fourth quarter.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Ellis with another 2. He has been dominant for Sydney why they haven't used him more though is beyond me. Adleaide 93 Sydney 79 5" 4th quarter.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Shannon Shorter with a big 3 for the Sixers. Adelaide 96 Sydney 79.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Humphries with the 2 and he has 13 for the game. Adelaide 90 Sydney 74
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Childress with the 2 and he is at double figures, the 5th Sixer in double digits scoring.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Adelaide make a free throw. The Kings turn it over and Sobey runs the court and dunks it. Adelaide 88 Sydney 71 4th q.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Jeremy Tyler has fouled out.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Randle drops two free throws. Adelaide 85 Sydney 71
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
The Sixers finally get on the board early. Adelaide 85 Sydney 69 4th quarter.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Drmic with a big 3 for the Sixers. Then a 3 right at the 3rd quarter buzzer for the Sixers and they have blown the lead out to 14. Adelaide 83 Sydney 69
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Moore scores a 2 for the Sixers. Humphries responds quickly to try and keep the deficit under double digits. Adelaide 77 Sydney 69 1" 3rd q.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Far from a pretty game from both teams.