The Adelaide 36ers faced off against the South East Melbourne Phoenix at John Cain Arena on February 2, 2025, but fell short with a final score of 105-99, marking yet another competitive showdown in the NBL.
Adelaide started the contest poorly, allowing the Phoenix to jump out to an 8-0 lead. The 36ers managed to respond as Lat Mayen scored on a tough drive, and Kendric Davis made significant contributions. Despite their efforts, the home team maintained the upper hand, closing the first quarter with a 30-23 lead.
Even as the game progressed, the 36ers struggled with foul trouble, allowing South East Melbourne to extend their first half lead to 61-43 at halftime. The initial surge from the Phoenix left Adelaide reeling as they went to the locker room, determined to mount a comeback.
And what a comeback it was! The second half saw the 36ers awaken from their slumber, starting with the first five points after halftime. Montrezl Harrell began to dominate, scoring 12 points and leading the charge. With the help of Davis, who had a strong overall performance with 23 points and 7 assists, the 36ers put together a stunning 21-4 run toward the end of the third quarter, bringing the score to 79-77.
The energy shifted dramatically as the men from Adelaide found their rhythm, and both teams traded leads as the game progressed. A Vasiljevic three-pointer early in the final quarter gave the 36ers their first lead of the game at 82-81, sending the 36ers’ fans at John Cain Arena to the edge of their seats.
Harrell was instrumental, leading with 25 points, the majority of which came from his explosive second-half performance. His dunk to give the 36ers a late 99-98 lead showcased his scoring potential, and left the arena buzzing. Yet, the Phoenix proved resilient, marking the final moments as they executed flawlessly to score the last seven points of the match.
Nathan Sobey was pivotal for the Phoenix, contributing 26 points to seal the win, as South East Melbourne outlasted the spirited fight of the 36ers.
With this loss, the 36ers find themselves at the crossroads as they prepare to take on the Perth Wildcats on February 4, 2025. The team will look to capitalize on the momentum of their fierce second-half performance and improve upon the mistakes made during this game.
Coach and players alike will need to reflect on how to sustain this aggression throughout the entire game rather than just parts of it. Consistency will be key for succeeding as the season continues.
It’s undeniable the NBL is heating up, and the 36ers must bounce back quickly if they seek to remain competitive this season.