News Article

Wells confident ahead of playoff battle

11 Feb

3 mins read

Written By

Dale Fletcher

“When I've got my top eight, I feel like we're the best team in the league.”

Adelaide 36ers head coach Mike Wells says his side will be at full strength and is ready for Thursday night’s Play-In game against Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Arena.

Import power forward Jarell Martin is expected to return to the line-up after missing the past three matches with a calf injury and Wells is confident in his rotation.

"We wanted to be the best version of ourselves by the end of the season and we will be healthy for that Play-In Game 100 per cent, and our guys will be ready,” Wells said.

“I think we have the confidence to believe that we can win anywhere at any time now.

“We've had some different line-ups without Jarell but when I've got my top eight I feel like we're the best team in the league.

“That's an interesting statement with everything that we've gone through and what our overall record is, but I think the group believes in themselves.”

Just as Wells and the 36ers fans were getting to see what a full squad was capable of, Adelaide was minus Martin for the last three games of the regular season and unable to continue the momentum they had built during January.

Wells had figured out the eight-man rotation that he had full confidence in being able to take the 36ers a long way.

That consisted of the starting five of Kendric Davis, DJ Vasiljevic, Lat Mayen, Montrezl Harrell and Isaac Humphries with Sunday Dech, Jason Cadee and Martin ably supporting them.

By shortening the rotation, the loss of one player from that group of eight becomes more significant but if you take out the frustrating loss at home last Friday night to Brisbane, Wells was relatively happy with much of what they did against the Phoenix and Wildcats.

“We've won those road games, and we've competed and made runs on the road, and been in position to win every game,” Wells said.

The winner of Thursday’s match will play South East Melbourne Phoenix at John Cain Arena on Sunday afternoon for a spot in the NBL25 semi-finals after the Wildcats won the Seeding Qualifier 122-105 in Perth on Tuesday night.

Wells is looking forward to his team quickly rediscovering winning form in a match-up featuring two teams having lost three straight entering the post-season.

“I'm super excited about the opportunity in my first year to be able to get us to a Play-In Game and I think the group will be ready," Wells said.