36ers draw first blood at Blitz
TweetADELAIDE tonight opened its NBL Blitz series with a 96-90 win over Perth in Traralgon, new 36ers’ import Ramone Moore coming off the bench to lead all scorers with 20 points.
The Wildcats played without imports JP Tokoto and Derek Cooke, and further were hampered when Bryce Cotton left the game limping after a sideline body clash with 36ers swingman Anthony Drmic, centre Matt Knight also exiting early with a hand injury.
The Sixers went in without All Star Five power forward Daniel Johnson and new import playmaker Shannon Shorter but got considerable mileage from big-man Ronald Roberts whose 16 points came at 71 per cent and were accompanied by a team-high seven boards.
Lucas Walker (pictured) opened the game strongly for Perth as it took a narrow 22-21 lead into the first break and finished as its leading scorer with 17 points and seven assists.
Clint Steindl also was value-for-minutes with 15 points in 11:25, on 3-of-5 threes and 6-of-6 free throws.
Swung to the point for the 36ers, Nathan Sobey dished six assists, Mitch Creek continuing his strong preseason form with 16 points.
Drmic stuck 4-of-5 threes as Adelaide looked forward to facing a new opponent in Brisbane tomorrow after now having played the Wildcats three times in the preseason.
“Our chemistry seems to be really good right now,” 36ers captain Brendan Teys said.
“Everyone is being unselfish, giving up good shots to get great shots and at the other end we’re working hard and making it easy for Joey (Wright) to coach."
Development forward Caleb Davis, back from college in the US and coming off Premier League time with South Adelaide Panthers, also made the most of his minutes.
Adelaide's 33-26 second quarter was the decisive period, the old rivals going 42-42 in the second half.
Moore's 20 points came at 50 per cent and showcased much of his repertoire, with 3-pointers, drives and jumpshots.
ADELAIDE 36ERS 96 (Moore 20, Roberts, Creek 16, Drmic 14; Roberts 7 rebs; Sobey 6 assts) d PERTH WILDCATS 90 (Walker 17, Hire 16, Steindl 15, Kernich-Drew 11; Vague 8 rebs; Walker 7 assts).