Giddey steals show from DJ, Creek in Sixers' 2OT win

Daniel Johnson and Mitch Creek delivered superstar performances for their respective teams, but ultimately it was Josh Giddey who stole the show with the NBL's youngest player getting the Adelaide 36ers home 116-108 in double overtime over the South East Melbourne Phoenix.

The 36ers had the acid on them to respond after losing by 24 points on Friday night in the season-opener to Melbourne United on the back of scoring just 26 points in the second half, but awaiting them was a fresh Phoenix outfit at Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Sunday afternoon.

Another near capacity COVID-restricted crowd of 6518 turned out and were treated to quite the spectacle with Johnson backing up his 27-point showing from Friday for Adelaide.

The five-time club MVP was unstoppable again on his way to 33 points on 11/14 shooting and 10/11 from the line, but when he fouled out just before the end of regulation, the Sixers needed others to stand up.

The Phoenix also got a standout performance from their captain with Creek doing all he could to inspire them to the season-opening win, finishing with 30 points, eight rebounds and six assists before fouling out just before the end of the game.

But it will be Giddey who everyone is talking about coming out of the game. He opened up overtime with a steal and breakaway slam before falling face first onto the court. He bounced back despite bleeding from his mouth.

Then in the second overtime, it was Giddey who took over the game. He set up a basket for Isaac Humphries, then got to the line to make two and then delivered a three-point play on a drive that ultimately proved the game breaker.

Australia's first Next Star signing showed just why he's an NBA star in the making ending up with 16 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.

Sunday Dech was also superb for Adelaide with 14 points and five rebounds while Humphries produced 14 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks and three assists. Tony Crocker added 12 points and Jack McVeigh 10 while six of the eight Brendan Teys points came in a crucial second overtime cameo.

Sixers coach Conner Henry got his first win at the helm and was pleased with the improvement.

"It's really good to win a game under the circumstances with multiple guys fouling out," Henry said.

"I thought the ball movement was a lot better but still we can get even better at it. But they responded, we moved the ball, we shared the ball and got production from a lot more guys, and that's what happens when you share the ball."

It was the response to Friday that Adelaide needed but for the Phoenix they will come away feeling they let it slip especially with Johnson not there in overtime for the Sixers.

New Zealander Yanni Wetzell stepped up huge in the absence of Dane Pineau for 24 points and 10 rebounds with Keifer Sykes impressing as point guard with 18 points and 11 assists. Cam Gliddon had a rough shooting night on debut for the Phoenix but had 14 points as did Kyle Adnam.

Phoenix coach Simon Mitchell sees a lot of areas for his team to build upon.

"We had a rough one and I thought we looked a little rusty, particularly at the offensive end," Mitchell said.

"We didn’t have a lot of rhythm and credit to Adelaide for taking that away from us, but when you're taking it out of the basket a lot then you are going to be a little clunky in your half court sets. 

"We had an extraordinary rough shooting game leaving a lot of points out there but we were taking shots I expect our team to make. We've got a little bit of work to do."

Mitch Creek returned to the city he built his reputation in and helped South East Melbourne to a strong start, but Adelaide ended the first quarter with a 9-3 run to lead 19-18.

Things remained tight in a high quality contest until the 36ers opened up a nine-point advantage just before half-time largely through Josh Giddey and Daniel Johnson. But the Phoenix stayed in touch and were down just four at the break after a half-court prayer on the buzzer from Yanni Wetzell.

The 36ers had shot a scorching 68 per cent in the first half leaving the three ball behind but the Phoenix were winning the possession game to stay close, and by midway through the third term three-pointers from Creek and Cam Gliddon saw them regain the lead.

Adelaide turned the tide to open the fourth term with the first eight points in no time and they were on top by six with a Tony Crocker bucket with 1:30 left. But some costly turnovers down the stretch and then a triple from Creek, strong finish from Keifer Sykes and free-throw from Creek forced overtime.

Giddey then started overtime with his breakaway slam sparking a 6-0 Adelaide run, but South East Melbourne again responded thanks to Wetzell and Creek before going ahead on a Reuben TeRangi dunk. 

But Jack McVeigh somehow chucked up the tying basket for Adelaide before surviving three attempts from the Phoenix after two offensive boards.

Brendan Teys was then the spark for Adelaide to start the second overtime with two quick buckets before Giddey took over with five quick points and when he found Humphries inside with 50 seconds left, the Sixers were up four and went on to win by eight.

The two teams now do it all again also at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre to open Round 2 on Wednesday.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 1

ADELAIDE 36ERS 116 (Johnson 33, Giddey 16, Humphries 14, Dech 14)

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 108 (Creek 30, Wetzell 24, Sykes 18) 

BOX SCORE