36ers on triple threat high alert

Adelaide 36ers will need to limit the impact of the perimeter in Friday night’s showdown against Perth Wildcats at RAC Arena.

The Wildcats are the second-best team in the league from beyond the arc, connecting on nearly 38 per cent throughout NBL25.

Perth have several  hot shooters, Dylan Windler swished six triples in the Wildcats’ recent win over Adelaide last month.

Adelaide’s renewed and refocused defence will have to be on high alert for the full 40 minutes.

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THE KEY
No guessing for who the key to this game is, Bryce Cotton.

The three-time NBL champion is arguably putting together his greatest season since joining the Wildcats in 2016.

Cotton poured in another 36 points on Wednesday night in Perth’s big win over the Bullets in Brisbane.

With Sunday Dech back in the line-up, expect the former championship teammates to renew their head-to-head battle, but also expect Lat Mayen to get some time on the three-time NBL MVP.

THE SECRET
After missing a huge chunk of the season with a groin injury, Kristian Doolittle returned to the line-up against the JackJumpers in Tasmania last Sunday.

Doolittle can be a matchwinner at both ends of the floor and expect his defensive assignment to be Kendric Davis.

The 27-year-old can guard multiple positions but can also score if required.

In NBL25 he has increased his offensive output to 11.9 points per game.

DEPTH CHART
Henshall / T.Webster
Cotton / Pepper / M. Harris
Windler / Doolittle
Okwera / H. Harris / Wagstaff
Amanda / Pinder

FINAL WORD
Head coach Mike Wells has said all season defence always has to come on the road and there’s no bigger test than at RAC Arena.

Adelaide will need to come out firing early at both ends of the floor, but must use tough defence to spark their offensive firepower.

Cotton no doubt is at the top of the priorities, but the 36ers must use a collective effort to restrict the Perth attack.

With only seven games left in the NBL25 season, Friday night is the right time to make a statement.