2–3 and waiting: Adelaide's Humphries headache

The Adelaide 36ers are in a bind right now, and Derek Rucker believes the absence of Isaac Humphries is hurting them more than anyone.

That was clear again on Sunday, when the Breakers ran away with an 88–72 win in Adelaide, just two days after the Hawks had beaten the 36ers by 22 in Wollongong.

Humphries is yet to play in NBL27, and Adelaide is reportedly seeking a second opinion on his knee. Trevor Gleeson won't talk replacements until there's clarity. At 2–3, time isn't on his side.

Speaking on Moments That Mattered, presented by Mitsubishi Motors, John Casey didn't sugar-coat it.

"The 36ers have got big problems, haven't they?" he said. "Their injury problems are really hamstringing coach Trevor Gleeson on what they can do."

Rucker agreed, and pointed straight to the big man.

"I think Isaac Humphries is the one that they miss," he said. "They just need his size, another alternative inside."

It hasn't been for a lack of effort from Nick Rakocevic, who did his best to fill the void on Sunday with 29 points and 16 rebounds on 14/22 shooting.

"Nick Rakocevic was outstanding," Casey said. "He had some moments that mattered, with career highs in points and rebounds."

The problem was the support around him. Bryce Cotton was held to 19 points on 8/18 shooting, and the rest of the team managed just 24 points on 8/28.

For Rucker, that's been the issue.

"The lack of a consistent offensive scoring distribution diet is really hurting the 36ers," he said, "as well as the inability of anyone other than Bryce Cotton to shoot the ball effectively from the three-point line.

"I would have liked to have seen them come into this game with a bit more hunger and vigour.

"The offence is going to come together, but I think it's the defensive intensity that they've got to find as soon as possible."

But Rucker believes the 36ers have the weaponry to turn the tide, and quickly.

"All they've got to do, say through the first 10 games of the season, is be around that .500 mark, and then hopefully they have developed some cohesion on the offensive end," he said.

Reinforcements should begin to arrive soon too, with Flynn Cameron set to return in Round 5.

"Once they work out that shot distribution and they get Flynn Cameron back, they'll be much better," Rucker said.

The first chance to prove it comes on Wednesday night, when the 36ers host Melbourne United in an Ignite Cup clash at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.