Brisbane Bullets demonstrated remarkable resilience by edging out the Adelaide 36ers 92-89 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, making significant strides toward their postseason aspirations.
The Bullets, hampered by injuries to key players including Tyrell Harrison, Rocco Zikarsky, and Josh Bannan, managed to pull off this thrilling victory against the 36ers, who were playing before yet another sellout crowd of 9,521. This outcome not only kept Brisbane's slim chances of reaching the NBL finals alive but also posed serious risks for Adelaide’s own playoff hopes.
The game was tense from the outset, characterized by intense back-and-forth action. Despite facing pressure, Brisbane’s Casey Prather shone through the fray, contributing 26 points and seven rebounds, seriously challenging the 36ers’ defense. Meanwhile, Kendric Davis, who led the 36ers with 24 points and 10 assists, struggled with his shooting, finishing 7-of-22 from the field.
Adelaide initially forged ahead, securing their first lead with a score of 45-42 at halftime. Montrezl Harrell and Davis combined effectively to pull the home team back from the brink, even though the Bullets had held the lead for most of the first half. The 36ers fought back valiantly, yet fell short as they could not close the gap effectively in the closing moments.
Heading to the final quarter, the Bullets began with momentum, scoring the first eight points to secure their largest lead of the game at 76-63. The thrill of the game peaked as the 36ers surged late, cutting the lead to just two points. Still, Brisbane’s commitment to defense, particularly from captain Mitch Norton, kept them just out of reach.
Indeed, Norton’s solid defensive play on Davis proved pivotal during this pivotal match; Adelaide simply could not find the rhythm they needed to clinch the game. "The injury ravaged Brisbane Bullets produced a win for the ages to keep their slim NBL finals hopes alive," commented analysts after the game.
DJ Vasiljevic of the 36ers also delivered consistently, finishing with 20 points and 10 rebounds, making significant contributions during both offensive and defensive plays. Integral to the 36ers' efforts, Isaac Humphries added another 14 points along with six rebounds.
Despite the loss, the 36ers put forth admirable effort, particularly as they looked to regroup following this unfortunate defeat. Coach CJ Bruton remarked on the importance of focus and execution moving forward, emphasizing the need for improvement as Adelaide faces tough competition on the horizon with road games against South East Melbourne and Perth.
The defeat marks the fifth consecutive loss for Adelaide, which raises concerns related to their playoff viability as they sit precariously around the sixth position within the league standings. The 36ers will need significant adjustments to reclaim their momentum and secure their playoff position.
With the NBL finals rapidly approaching and only so many games left, each match becomes exponentially more important. The Bullets' victory over the 36ers serves as a reminder of how quickly strategies can shift, player performances can rise, and playoff scenarios can evolve.
The playoffs are calling, and teams must fight tooth-and-nail for every point. Brisbane’s gritty and determined performance on Friday is likely to evoke hope among their fans, showing they can rise against adversity. Meanwhile, the 36ers will vie to reclaim their competitive edge before it’s too late.