Wells thrilled with second half response
Written By
Dale Fletcher
Adelaide 36ers head coach Mike Wells said the way his side came out after half time was instrumental in Sunday’s 77-73 win against Tasmania JackJumpers at the Entertainment Centre.
Trialing by eight points going into the main break, Wells said the half-time instructions were clear and concise.
“There wasn’t any sense of panic in the locker room at half time, I felt the guys knew exactly what happened,” Wells said.
“I tried to clarify some things that I thought (we could improve on), but there was a willingness to get out there and really kind of play Sixers basketball and the style we were trying to get to.”
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Adelaide started the second half with an 7-0 run to cut the Tasmania lead to one point, and the home side outscored the defending champions 23-11 in a decisive third quarter.
“Our energy in the first two and a half minutes of the third quarter, the way we came out and got after it, and created some havoc,” Wells said.
“That started on the defensive end, and it sparked the offence and then we got a bunch of easy baskets and we were able to change the momentum of the game and get the upper hand there.
“Our start to that third quarter was the complete difference in the game.”
Wells said he was pleased with how his side changed their style of play after the defensive coverage on captain DJ Vasiljevic changed throughout the game.
“DJ had a lot of gravity because they were top blocking him, they wanted tot take him out of the sets (offence) and somebody was all over him,” Wells said.
“So there were opportunities for KD (Kendric Davis), Jarell (Martin) and some of the other guys to get shots and to get in different positions on the floor just because someone has decided he (Vasiljevic) is the main part of the offence.
“The next game (might) be different, and we will figure out a way again.
“We will continue to change as Jarell gets more comfortable, he is an extremely talented player.”
Adelaide will be back at home this Friday night when the 36ers battle Cairns Taipans from 7pm ACST.