Sixers Open Account for NBL23

Sunday, October 16, 2022

The Adelaide 36ers bounced back into the title conversation thanks to a dominant fourth quarter from Craig Randall, whose deadly three-point form sunk the Illawarra Hawks’ comeback hopes.

The Sixers bounced back from a tough season-opening loss to Tasmania on Thursday also at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre finishing strongly with 32 points to 20 in the fourth quarter to beat the Hawks 90-80.

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It was Randall who did the damage in the final quarter to open up the contest, hitting some dagger threes on his way to a game-high 28 points. In doing so, 36ers fans got the home victory they craved so badly in a season they hope will be among the most memorable in team history.

The 36ers returned from their US tour that famously featured a 134-124 victory over the Phoenix Suns, fresh off a 64-win season in the NBA. However, they were humbled in their home opener against the JackJumpers, suffering their worst home loss (97-72) in over a decade.

The 36ers got out of the blocks faster here, beginning with a 9-2 run that featured a pair of baskets from Antonius Cleveland. The 28-year-old is familiar with the Hawks, having played under Brian Goorjian last season, where he was named the Defensive Player of the Year and to the All-First Team.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Yes these are two different shots ... no, we can't believe Craig Randall's range ... yes we have a tight game here in Adelaide ??<br><br>Tune into the final quarter of this <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL23?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL23</a> clash live on ESPN via Kayo Sports and Foxtel. <a href="https://t.co/Xt9sWHEVxN">pic.twitter.com/Xt9sWHEVxN</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1581193626008580096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 15, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Cleveland (16 points, 5/6 the field) had an impressive block on his old teammate Tyler Harvey (16 points, 4/15) in the first quarter, which helped to set the tone as the 36ers enjoyed a 25-17 quarter-time lead.

The Hawks’ Deng Deng provided a highlight reel dunk in the second quarter, which he followed up with some choice words for the 36ers’ Randall, who didn’t race to contest the slam.

Randall composed himself, and got the last laugh in the match-up. The 36ers’ ball movement was markedly better here than in the loss to the JackJumpers, and it was Daniel Johnson (10 points) whose game-high eight assists were a big factor in that.

However, the third quarter was a patch head coach CJ Bruton would rather forget. The offensive schemes suddenly stagnated in a 12-point period that saw the Hawks wedge the game back open.

Alongside Deng (18 points) was fellow forward Sam Froling (12 points, six rebounds), who was at his industrious best.

It was the 36ers’ 32-point final quarter, which came with five of their 12 three-pointers and some aforementioned magic from Randall, that closed out the show.

The 36ers’ Robert Franks (18 points, nine rebounds) and Mitch McCarron (eight points, eight rebounds) may not have had the stands jumping like Randall, but their intelligent play that produced near double-doubles in both regards was not lost on the basketball savvy crowd.

As was the veteran Johnson, who continues to produce after 12 seasons at the 36ers which has included seven MVP awards.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/illawarrahawks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@illawarrahawks</a> are living up to their name in this one - they've been flying above the rim all night long ?<br><br>Catch the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL23?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL23</a> action live on ESPN via Kayo Sports and Foxtel. <a href="https://t.co/EEq32cF3Xs">pic.twitter.com/EEq32cF3Xs</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1581189552936718336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 15, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Sixers coach CJ Bruton was most pleased with the improved defensive effort from Thursday night against Tasmania where they gave up 97 points.

"Definitely the defence helped from the start. It was a great bounce back from us as a team and how we were able to respond from our first game at home," Bruton said.

"Our starters came home with better energy and delivered in that area. We had our lapses and we managed to keep strong, but the Hawks fought back too.

"I have so much talent on my bench and I need to use it more. I feel like being able to have the depth is large for teams to win championships and you're going to need that throughout the season."

Hawks coach Jacob Jackomas felt it was only late where the game got away from them as he reflects on losing three of the first four games against tough opposition.

"I thought they just had their run real late. We probably need to give you a better answer and look at how much of them were tough threes and how much we could have done something about. We tried with the changes of defence, but just some lapses towards the end," Jackomas said.

"The three teams we’ve played Sydney, Perth and Adelaide, I mean they’re all capable of winning it. But only one team can win it. We’ve played three of the top teams and we’ve played them tough. But we could have won all of them and been the talk of the town."

Bruton has already achieved something special with this Adelaide squad, but nothing would be sweeter than a deep playoff in pursuit of the franchise’s fifth championship. This victory helped to show it is possible.

The 36ers (1-1) enjoy a six-day break before a road clash with the Sydney Kings while the Hawks (1-3) have a touch over 72 hours to regroup and rejuvenate before hosting the New Zealand Breakers on Monday.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 3

ADELAIDE 36ERS 90 (Randall 28, Franks 16, Cleveland 16)

ILLAWARRA HAWKS 80 (Deng 18, Harvey 16, Froling 12)

BOX SCORE