Adelaide 36ers have closed out a nail biting finish to remain on top of the NBL table after a gutsy win over an inspired Illawarra Hawks on Saturday evening.
After coming off a four-point overtime loss to Sydney Kings on Wednesday, the 36ers jumped out to silence the Hawks crowd led by the dynamic duo of Bryce Cotton and Isaac Humphries to claim a 84-78 win in Illawarra.
Cotton, who is well on his way to claim a sixth MVP Award, had a quiet match by his standards, finishing with 16 points, equal with Humphries.
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It was always going to be tough for the Hawks who were without JaVale McGee and Tyler Harvey but the reigning champions showed why they are not to be underestimated at the back end of this season as Illawarra are still chasing a top six spot.
Hawks’ Quentin Peterson (21 points, three rebounds and two assists) along with Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (19 points and six rebounds) helped Illawarra take the lead early in the fourth quarter as they gave the championship favourites an almighty scare.
The 36ers will now turn their focus to the clash with the Cairns Taipans on Christmas Eve while the Hawks take on the Sydney Kings on Christmas Day.
It was always going to be tough for the Illawarra Hawks to knock off the ladder leaders, Adelaide 36ers, especially without JaVale McGee Tyler Harvey.
But last year’s champions should never be written off and gave the 36ers an almighty scare in the fourth quarter as they took a three-point lead before Adelaide regrouped through Bryce Cotton and Isaac Humphries.
It showed fans and the competition signs that the Hawks are not to be underestimated in any state of the game or the season with still plenty to play for.
Cotton could well be on his way for a sixth NBL Most Valuable Player award but on Saturday night the Hawks kept him to one of his quietest games of the season.
Cotton averages 26 points this season but his performance in the six point win was below par for his standards with just 16 points to his name along with two rebounds but did include seven assists.
It doesn’t matter how you win, a win is a win no matter what and for the Adelaide 36ers, that is how they will walk away from the six point victory over the Illawarra Hawks on Saturday night.
The Hawks were without some serious talent heading into the clash but it showed no signs they were just going to roll over and let the 36ers run away with a massive victory.
Late in the second quarter, the 36ers led by 11-points with three minutes to go before the Hawks closed the gap to just two points at the main break.
It was a scrappy second half by both teams but the 36ers walked away with the points and will take the win as they now turn their attention to the Cairns Taipans on Christmas Eve.
— NCA NewsWire
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