Dynamic Duo Light Up Sixers

Written for nbl.com.au by Chris Pike

Antonius Cleveland put up 19 points in the first quarter and Craig Randall 13 in the third with the Adelaide 36ers continuing their love affair with the NBL Blitz beating the Tasmania JackJumpers 87-79 on Monday night.

The 36ers won the Blitz last season in Tasmania and while the regular season didn’t quite go to plan, all the signs are they can capitalise on this impressive start in Darwin backing up a win over the South East Melbourne Phoenix by defeating the JackJumpers by eight in a strong performance.

While the offensive spark provided by new imports was significant with Cleveland showing he can back up his season at the Illawarra Hawks where he was Best Defensive Player and All-First Team member while Randall is showing he can catch fire, it was far from a two-man show.

The defensive prowess of Sunday Dech was again significant in the Adelaide win as was the leadership and offence running of captain Mitch McCarron.

On the back of Cleveland's 19 first quarter points for the Sixers, he finished the night with 27 points, five rebounds and three assists with Randall lighting it up in that third quarter for 17 points and four boards.

McCarron added 12 points, three rebounds and three assists, Dech 10 points, nine boards, three assists and two steals, Robert Franks eight points, and Nick Marshall seven points.

There was plenty to like from a JackJumpers perspective as well with Jack McVeigh working his way back to full fitness off injury with 16 points while Sean Macdonald stepped up for 13 points and five rebounds while nailing all four of his three-point attempts.

Milton Doyle also had 12 points and four assists, Rashard Kelly 11 points and five rebounds, and Josh Magette nine points and seven assists.

It was the JackJumpers who made the fast start on the back of beating the Sydney Kings to open the Blitz with Rashard Kelly and Josh Magette combining to give them the 6-0 start.

Matt Kenyon then converted an and-one before Kelly and Magette both landed three balls for the JackJumpers to be up 15-6, but then it was time for Antonius Cleveland to take over in spectacular fashion.

He would knock down four three-pointers for the rest of the first quarter on top of some impressive finishes at the rim as he delivered 19 points in a stunning display to give the Sixers the 27-22 lead.

Jack McVeigh sparked the JackJumpers with five quick points to open the second quarter as they breathed a sigh of relief with Cleveland sitting after his hot opening term.

Craig Randall and Robert Franks had their moments with Cleveland going scoreless in the second term to keep Adelaide in front but 12 points from McVeigh meant the JackJumpers were only down by three.

Adelaide again pushed out to an eight-point edge early in the second half on the back of four quick points from Sunday Dech. Then it was Randall who took over closing the third quarter with three triples on his way to 13 points for the period to put the 36ers on top 71-64.

You could never write off the JackJumpers last season and they showed those same fighting qualities again and when Magette and Kelly hit triples largely on the hustle work of Kenyon, scores were tied and CJ Bruton called for time.

The timeout worked a treat with the 36ers coming out to hit the next nine points and it was all sparked by the full-court defensive pressure of Dech. Adelaide went on to claim the eight-point win to continue their love of the Blitz dating back to last season when they took out the Loggins-Bruton Cup.

Day 5 at the NBL Blitz in Darwin on Tuesday will see the New Zealand Breakers first up against the Illawarra Hawks before the Cairns Taipans face the Brisbane Bullets.

The Sixers will finish off their time in Darwin on Thursday up against the Illawarra Hawks while the JackJumpers will also battle the Snakes on Thursday evening.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL BLITZ – DAY 4

ADELAIDE 36ERS 87 (Cleveland 27, Randall 17, McCarron 12)

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 79 (McVeigh 16, Macdonald 13, Doyle 12) 

BOX SCORE