Sixers relishing time at home ahead of NZ clash

Fresh from a “really important” win over Melbourne United, the Adelaide 36ers are back home and looking to reward supporters with another strong showing against New Zealand on Saturday.

The Sixers went 3-3 in their last six games but showed signs they might have returned to the form that took them to the top of the Hungry Jack’s NBL ladder in Round 11, where they have remained for the 10 rounds since.

Speaking after training on Thursday afternoon, Head Coach Mike Wells said he’d seen signs of improvement in the last few games but beating United helped validate his view.

“It was probably really important,” he said of the result.

“I think the group has been getting better and we've been working, and you're trying to get out of sort of the place that you're in, and to kind of have a game where we defended, and we rebounded, and saw the ball go through the net, and then ultimately, you know, to get the win, was a huge deal for us and for the group.

“You always talk about how the group's connecting and playing well and stuff, but you need to win to validate where you are as a group.”

Wells explained it was unrealistic to think the side would not have some challenges in such a difficult competition.

 “In such a league that has 33 rounds and 33 games, and a tough, hard playing league you're going to hit some adversity,” Wells said.

“There are just going to be some ups and downs, and so, you know, it's good that we hit it (before finals), to be honest with you.

“As a coach, you're looking for those windows, you know, you're winning games and you're trying to say, ‘hey, we’ve got to get better’, but the growth and us getting better and all those things will come on the back end of going through a few losses.

“As a coach, you've got to find those positives to move the group forward.”

One positive after being on the road for six of the last seven games is that the Sixers are home again for Saturday’s big game against New Zealand.

Wells said after a lot of travel and short turnarounds between games, the side has relished the opportunity to spend some time on the practice court.

“I think the first thing is to be home for a little bit,” he said, “to be back in Adelaide, and to kind of, you know, sleep in our own beds, and to be able to practice here, and be back into our normal routine.

“To have actual practises to move the group ahead.

“It's been a really good week. You know, we're getting organised. I felt like the group got better this week, and those are the things we want to see.

“We love being at home. 36ers fans are the best. We love being at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. We haven't been there for a little bit, and we know that we're going to have some big home games in the postseason coming.

“But to kind of thank the fans - and we really appreciate their support - to have a big crowd and to have a big home game, we really would like to play well and thank them for this.”

While the sides will meet again in the final of the Ignite Cup in just 10 days’ time, Wells said he would not be keeping anything up his sleeve and certainly would not allow the group to think beyond Saturday’s encounter.

“I think that we just focus on this game and then once we get to that game, you focus on that game,” he explained.

“Individually, we’ve got to be focussed on what we need to do on Saturday.”

Saturday’s game tips off at 5pm ACDT.