Your cart is currently empty!
Tag: DrinkWise
DrinkWise game preview – Round 19: Wildcats v Phoenix
The Wildcats welcome back speedster Tai Webster from a hamstring injury, while import Dylan Windler is back from an eye issue.
Webster hasn’t played since mid-December, with Windler missing the past two matches.
It will be the first time since November 17 that Wildcats coach John Rillie has had a full roster at his disposal.
“His dynamic playmaking ability and his athleticism allows him to punish aggressive defenders, get full-court quickly but then just live in the paint and create a lot of opportunities,” Rillie said about Webster’s return.
“On the other end of the floor, defensively, he’s a good athletic guard that can pressure the ball and be very disruptive at that end of the floor. I’m looking forward to him being back in the line up and bringing that element that no-one else on our roster has.”
Rillie praised his team’s younger brigade for their work “in the trenches” while the likes of Windler, Webster, Bryce Cotton, Keanu Pinder and Kristian Doolittle had been sidelined during various parts of the season.
“The likes of (David) Okwera, (Izan) Almansa, (Ben) Henshall and (Elijah) Pepper – the young group that I talk about all the time – have been in the trenches with us all season. they understand that they’ve gained our confidence. When Tai and Dylan are out on the floor, we are not needing them to be superheroes. They can ease themselves back into it,” he said.
Just percentage separates the four-placed Phoenix and fifth-ranked Wildcats, who both have 15-11 records with three games remaining in the regular season.
The Wildcats face a tough weekend double-header, finishing with a road clash against Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday.
“There are a lot of teams competing for the six last spots and it is still anyone’s game. There’s spots to be had. We’ve got three games, will put our best foot forward and see where we lie. It’s certainly (about) details. It comes down to certain plays,” captain Jesse Wagstaff, who plays his 500th game as a Wildcat on Sunday, said.
Friday night’s clash will be part of the NBL’s third annual Champion Pride Round.
The Wildcats will turn The Jungle rainbow with themed seating, Champion’s rainbow pride flag on-court and player jerseys, along with several other activations on game night.
Game details
Who: Perth Wildcats vs SEM Phoenix
When: 6.30pm WST Friday 31 January
Where: RAC Arena
Watch: Live on ESPN (via Kayo or Foxtel)
Opposition watch
South East Melbourne have turned their season around in remarkable fashion under new coach Josh King.
From a 0-5 start, the Phoenix are now 15-11 and sitting four on the ladder.
First year big man Matt Hurt is firming for the All-NBL First Team candidate, averaging 20.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and shooting at 56 per cent from the field.
The Phoenix come into the match in good form, having won four of their last five games.
Last time they met
The Wildcats defeated the Phoenix 97-84 last time the two sides met, back on November 15 at RAC Arena.
Bryce Cotton starred with 33 points, five rebounds and four assists, while Dylan Windler chipped in with 20 points and Izan Almansa (nine points and nine rebounds) fell just shy of a double-double.
Matt Hurt was the best for the visitors with a 27-point, 10-rebound double-double.
The highly anticipated matchup between the Perth Wildcats and South East Melbourne Phoenix is set to take place in Round 19 of the NBL season. As we gear up for this exciting game, let’s take a look at what we can expect from both teams.The Wildcats, currently sitting in second place on the ladder, have been in great form recently with key players like Bryce Cotton leading the charge. They will be looking to secure another win and maintain their position near the top of the standings.
On the other hand, the Phoenix have had a solid season so far and will be looking to make a statement by taking down one of the league’s top teams. With players like Mitch Creek and Ryan Broekhoff in their lineup, they have the talent to pull off an upset.
This game is sure to be a thrilling and competitive battle between two talented teams. Make sure to tune in and catch all the action as the Wildcats take on the Phoenix in what is sure to be a must-watch game in Round 19 of the NBL season. Don’t forget to DrinkWise and enjoy responsibly!
Tags:
- DrinkWise game preview
- Round 19 Wildcats v Phoenix
- NBL game preview
- Wildcats vs Phoenix preview
- Round 19 basketball game preview
- NBL Round 19 preview
- Wildcats and Phoenix game preview
- DrinkWise sponsored game preview
- Wildcats and Phoenix matchup preview
- Round 19 NBL game analysis
#DrinkWise #game #preview #Wildcats #Phoenix
DrinkWise game preview – Round 18: Wildcats v Taipans
The Taipans are bottom of the ladder but have won three of their last five games, including knocking off top-ranked Illawarra Hawks at home on Thursday night and again within the past month.
Rillie said it was important not to take the in-form Taipans lightly as the Wildcats hunt a sixth win in seven games.
“They’re definitely playing a better brand of basketball over the last couple of games. So we’d better not be disrespectful and just think we can show up,” Rillie said.
Rillie confirmed import Dylan Windler will miss a second straight game with an eye injury as the Wildcats take a cautious approach.
Speedster Tai Webster also remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.
“We just want to make sure when he comes back, we have nothing to worry about moving forward,” Rillie said about Windler.
A win is crucial for the Wildcats given how tight the ladder is during the business end of the season.
Perth have four regular-season games remaining and current sit in fourth spot with a 15-10 record.
Just two wins separate the second-placed Sydney Kings (16-10) and fifth-placed South East Melbourne Phoenix (14-11), and face both in the final two home-and-away matches of NBL25.
Rillie backed his young bigs Izan Almansa and David Okwera to continue their starting roles, despite a career-high 33 points off the bench from Kristian Doolittle in Wednesday night’s loss to Melbourne United and 10 points and seven rebounds from Keanu Pinder.
“We can’t let one result cloud what we’ve been doing over the last couple of months. I’m not going to change. I’m very happy with Keanu Pinder and the way he is playing. I like the way our group is playing. We’re playing good basketball, our group is in a good spot what with where we are as a team. I’m very good with how everything is going,” Rillie said.
“The benefit is we started to find a really good groove as a team with those guys starting. I’m not a person that’s just going to change for change. We reward guys who play well together and do their job They’re comfortable and are doing great in their roles.”
Game details
Who: Perth Wildcats vs Cairns Taipans
When: 5pm WST Saturday 25 January
Where: RAC Arena
Watch: Live on ESPN (via Kayo or Foxtel)
Opposition watch
The Taipans have been a danger team in recent weeks as they look to disrupt the finals race.
Like the Wildcats, Cairns have been dealing with injury issues for the bulk of the season.
Young gun Taran Armstrong missed Thursday’s win over the Hawks and is in doubt to make the Perth trip.
Last time they met
Bryce Cotton starred with 44 points as the Wildcats dominated in the second half to prevail 128-92 at Cairns Convention Centre.
Cotton produced his fourth consecutive 40-point haul in a row to strengthen his chances of winning a fifth Andrew Gaze Trophy.
The Wildcats outscored the Taipans 74-35 after half-time with Dylan Windler (18 points), Keanu Pinder (13) and Elijah Pepper (10) joining Cotton in double figures.
Pinder finished with a double-double against his former team.
The highly anticipated matchup between the Perth Wildcats and the Cairns Taipans is set to take place in Round 18 of the NBL season. Both teams have had their fair share of ups and downs this season, making this game a crucial one for their playoff hopes.The Wildcats, currently sitting in the top half of the standings, will be looking to secure a win at home to solidify their position in the playoff race. Led by star players Bryce Cotton and Todd Blanchfield, the Wildcats have proven to be a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the court.
On the other hand, the Taipans have had a rollercoaster season but have shown flashes of brilliance throughout. With players like Scott Machado and Majok Deng leading the charge, the Taipans will be looking to pull off an upset on the road and improve their playoff chances.
This game is sure to be an intense battle between two talented teams fighting for a spot in the postseason. So grab a drink, sit back, and get ready for an exciting matchup between the Wildcats and Taipans in Round 18 of the NBL season. Don’t forget to DrinkWise and enjoy the game responsibly!
Tags:
DrinkWise, game preview, Round 18, Wildcats, Taipans, basketball, NBL, Perth Wildcats, Cairns Taipans, match preview, key players, prediction, game analysis, live stream, watch online, basketball game, NBL season, sports, Australia.
#DrinkWise #game #preview #Wildcats #TaipansDrinkWise game preview – Round 17: Wildcats v 36ers
The third-placed Wildcats, who enjoyed a 6-1 record during their seven-game away stint, play their first game in Perth in six weeks, dating all the way back to December 6.
The Red Army will be out in force, with a near sell out crowd expected as the Wildcats kick off a four-game run at home.
Coach John Rillie said while he was pleased with how things were tracking, he urged his team not to get complacent.
“It’s coming along,” Rillie said.
“We’ll get tested again on Friday night when we return home against Adelaide. I’ve been patient with this team and with the way we are heading. But I am nervous that we may relax. That’s been addressed.”
Import Kristian Doolittle, who’s been building his minutes the past two games after a month on the sidelines with a groin injury, said the team was feeling good after a strong patch of form.
But the key was taking the same energy into the next run of home games as they did on the road.
“We went 6-1 on the road so we feel good right now, understanding we have a lot of home games coming up. We have to take that same energy we’ve been approaching the games with on the road to at home as well,” Doolittle said.
The 36ers have plenty of weapons in their arsenal, highlighted by former NBA star Montrezl Harrell.
Fellow import Kendric Davis is having an impressive debut season in the NBL.
Davis is the second-leading point-scorer in the competition with 25 per game, with Wildcats Superstar Bryce Cotton (28) the only player averaging more.
He’s also got the most assists in NBL25 with 7.65 per game.
Cotton and Davis had a stunning shootout when the two sides met early last month and will be key to success of their respective teams.
Game details
Who: Perth Wildcats vs Adelaide 36ers
When: 6.30pm WST Friday 17 January
Where: RAC Arena
Watch: Live on ESPN (via Kayo or Foxtel)
Opposition watch
Adelaide currently sit just outside of the play-in spots in seventh, with a 10-12 record.
The 36ers have been up and down in form but produced a huge upset over Illawarra at home on Monday with Davis and Harrell combining for a staggering 51 points and 17 rebounds.
Two-time Wildcats championship player Sunday Dech is a huge in for the 36ers after missing more than a month with a hamstring injury.
Dech is likely to be tasked with stopping Cotton.
Last time they met
The Wildcats have won both of their previous encounters against the 36ers in NBL25, both they are yet to meet at RAC Arena.
Dylan Windler starred last time they met on December 28 at Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
Windler finished with 24 points, eight rebounds, six assists and four blocks to lead the Wildcats to a 116-92 win.
Bryce Cotton had a 21-point, 12-rebound double-double to continue his red-hot form.
The Perth Wildcats are set to take on the Adelaide 36ers in Round 17 of the NBL season, and it’s shaping up to be an exciting matchup. Both teams have had their fair share of ups and downs this season, but they will be looking to secure a crucial win in this game.The Wildcats have been one of the top teams in the league this season, boasting a strong roster led by star players Bryce Cotton and John Mooney. They have been dominant on both ends of the court and will be looking to continue their winning ways against the 36ers.
On the other hand, the 36ers have had a tough season so far, but they have shown flashes of brilliance at times. With players like Daniel Johnson and Brandon Paul leading the way, they will be looking to put up a fight against the Wildcats and pull off an upset victory.
This game is sure to be a thrilling one, with both teams hungry for a win. Make sure to tune in and catch all the action as the Wildcats take on the 36ers in what promises to be a high-stakes showdown. And remember, always DrinkWise and enjoy the game responsibly.
Tags:
DrinkWise, game preview, Round 17, Wildcats, 36ers, basketball, NBL, match preview, game analysis, player stats, team news, game predictions, game highlights
#DrinkWise #game #preview #Wildcats #36ers
DrinkWise Preview: NBL25 – Round 15 v Adaleide 36ers
Melbourne United will look to start the new year with a bang when we head on the road for a matchup with the Adelaide 36ers.
Having registered a pair of 20-point wins in our previous games against the Sixers in NBL25, we will be hoping to make it a clean sweep of our three regular season matchups on Saturday.
A win would ensure we would stay in a top-two position on the ladder, while a defeat could see the team drop as low as fourth on the table.
For Adelaide, every game is a must-win as they look to lift themselves up into a play-in spot.
WHO’S HOT, WHO’S NOT
(Past five games)
United – L, L, L, L, W36ers – W, L, L, L, W
After allowing four straight games of 97 or more points, all of which were losses, our defence looked back to its suffocating best against the Taipans on Boxing Day.
Dean Vickerman will be preaching the importance of continuing this defensive consistency, as when holding teams under 90 points, we have won our past eight game.
It’s a similar story for Adelaide, who conceded more points per game than any other team in the competition.
When conceding more than 100 points this season, the Sixers have a 0-10 record. In both previous games against Adelaide, we have scored an average of 109.5 points.
STARS COLLIDE
Through both of our matchups with the 36ers this season, we have done a strong job of keeping their stars in check.
While Kendrick Davis has averaged 23.5 points across the two games, this has mostly come on the back of his 26 made free-throws, with the American averaging just five made field-goals per game.
This is a result of tight defence by the league’s best rim protector, Marcus Lee, who has tallied five blocks against Adelaide this season.
GAME INFO
Who: Melbourne United vs Adelaide 36ers
Tip-off: 5:30pm AEDT, Saturday 4 January, 2025
Where: Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
Watch: ESPN
The DrinkWise Preview: NBL25 – Round 15 v Adelaide 36ersAs we head into Round 15 of the NBL25 season, the anticipation is high as our team prepares to take on the Adelaide 36ers. With both teams fighting for a spot in the playoffs, this matchup is sure to be a thrilling battle on the court.
The Adelaide 36ers have been a tough competitor this season, boasting a strong lineup and impressive performances. However, our team is ready to show them what we’re made of and come out on top in this crucial game.
With key players on both sides ready to showcase their skills, fans can expect a fast-paced and exciting game filled with high-flying dunks, clutch three-pointers, and intense defensive plays.
So grab your jerseys, rally your friends, and get ready to cheer on our team as they face off against the Adelaide 36ers in Round 15 of the NBL25 season. Let’s show our support and help lead our team to victory! #GoTeamGo #NBL25 #DrinkWisePreview
Tags:
DrinkWise Preview, NBL25, Round 15, Adelaide 36ers, basketball, Australian basketball, NBL, sports, game preview, NBL season, Adelaide 36ers preview, NBL25 Round 15 matchup
#DrinkWise #Preview #NBL25 #Adaleide #36ers
