Wells pleased with workmanlike Sixers

Adelaide 36ers Head Coach Mike Wells has described his side’s 20-point win over Cairns on Christmas eve as its most complete “businesslike” showing.

Wells was well served by his bench, in particular by big Serbian-American Nick Rakosevic who hit his second straight NBL double double as the Sixers won 93-73.

The win saw the Sixers extend their advantage at the top of the Hungry Jack’s NBL ladder with a 16-4 record, and pick up all seven Ignite Cup points to move into second place on the cup ladder.

Even with star Bryce Cotton relatively quiet by his standards, kept to 22 points with six rebounds and 11 assists, the Sixers kept a determined Taipans outfit at bay.

Wells said it was a “workmanlike” showing.

“(I’m) super proud of our team,” he said after the game.

“I thought that was one of our more complete businesslike efforts. You know, we won every quarter.

“From the last time I checked my math. If you win every quarter, you can't lose the game, so it was a focus of ours to try to win quarters.

“It was a focus of ours to try to transition back and then it was a focus for us to rebound and close things. And we did those things and then the offence fed off of our defence tonight.”

The Taipans started the stronger of the sides with Sam Waardenburg the key threat under the rim as they raced out to a six point advantage.

The Sixers got going through an unlikely source with Matt Kenyon nailing back-to-back three pointers before DJ Vasiljevic brought the crowd into it with one of his own – marking the 40^th straight game he has scored at least one three pointer in.

 It meant the home side would take the first of the Ignite Cup points on offer with a two- point advantage at the first break.

In a reverse of their slow start, the Sixers had the momentum early in the second period with Bryce Cotton and Nick Rakocevic chipping in with regular scores.

Rakocevic was doing it on both ends with seven rebounds – five of them on the offensive end – and despite ranking ninth in the competition for points from the bench this season, the bench players were outscoring the starters to half time.

While the lead was 13 points early in the period, the teams went to the rooms with Adelaide in front by eight to claim a second Ignite Cup point.

The Taipans started the third period with an 11-2 run but it was Rakocevic who sparked both the 10,006 crowd and his side with a huge dunk.

And with Vasiljevic’s late three-pointer the home side was able to take a 12-point lead into the final quarter.

The game petered out as the Taipans struggled to score in the final period but the Adelaide crowd left happy.

Wells was happy too, particularly at being so well placed to this point of the season.

“We've got 16 wins before Christmas,” Wells said proudly.

“I think that's a hell of an accomplishment in a really hard playing, tough league.

“I mean, (I’m) just super excited about this last third of the year and where this group is.”

He was also full of praise for Rakocevic in what was a break-out game.

“I do believe I have the three most talented bigs,” Wells said. “And I probably still don't have enough moments or minutes and those type of things for them, and they've all had different moments and I'm really, really proud of Nick.

“(He’s) the number one offensive rebounder in the league in minutes played. He's a factor on the glass. He can pass it, he can shoot it, and, you know, Z and Ice, they all complement each other.

“It's really just a luxury for me for whether we play big or we play small, but they allow us to do that.”

The Sixers will next host Perth at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Sunday afternoon.