Who: Adelaide 36ers v Townsville Crocodiles When: 7.30pm (AEDT), Saturday 14 November Where: Titanium Security Arena, Adelaide Watch: Fox Sports (Live and in HD); Sky Sports NZ; NBL Live App Last time they met: Adelaide 84 (Wilson 25, Motum 18, Gibson 14) d Townsville 77 (Steindl 14, Gladness 13), Round 17, 2014/15, Titanium Security Arena THE MATCH-UP Daniel Johnson v Nick Kay – DJ is the NBL’s master of finesse at the five-spot, capable of unorthodox shots, slippery offensive boards, long bombs and silky moves off the dribble. Kay is making a name as the master of hustle, and whether he can slow Johnson could play a big part in this game.

Maynard refuses to be denied points #HardBall @TsvCrocs @PerthWildcats https://t.co/m5SUk9VotF

— NBL (@NBL) November 4, 2015

THE STATS After giving up 87.6 points per game in their first five outings, Townsville have restricted opponents to 81.6 points per night at 45 per cent from the field and 29 per cent from the arc in their past five. After holding teams to 78.6 points in their opening five contests, Adelaide have conceded 101.5 points a game in their next four, allowing 49 per cent shooting on field goals, 41 per cent on triples and 26.5 free throws per game. THE STORY  It wasn’t so long ago Anthony Petrie was a young man trying to find his place amongst NBL frontcourt stars like Chris Anstey, Paul Rogers and Sam Mackinnon. “I used to just try and let it rip. Instead of being overawed I just couldn’t wait to get into it with them,” he said. Petrie debuted for the Razorbacks in 2007, playing alongside Matt Knight and Julian Khazzouh in a youthful but exuberant frontcourt, and admits he’s been getting a bit of déjà vu watching Crocs “young bulls” Nick Kay and Mitch Young taking it up to their more experienced rivals. “I’ve been really impressed with them, I think they’ve been doing a great job for Townsville,” he said. “Youngy’s a workhorse, everyone knows what you’re going to get from him every night, he just rips and tears. He’s not afraid, he doesn’t take a backward step.”

Conklin straight through the middle #HardBall #nbl16 @SydneyKings @TsvCrocs http://t.co/LFURollp0n — NBL (@NBL) October 15, 2015

Petrie had some special praise for Kay, who he compared to a former NBL championship winner. “He reminds me of Dusty Rychart,” Petrie said. “He’s just got a nose the ball, knows how to read Mitch Norton driving, he always seems to be the guy finishing the play around the hoop and he’s good on the offensive glass.” The 36ers meet Townsville tonight in Adelaide and, after being blown out in Sydney on Thursday, the home team can’t afford to drop this one. The 36ers’ defence has been well off the pace, and coach Joey Wright produced a tough training session to prepare for the Crocs’ intensity, which has thrown opponents out of rhythm. “We’ve got to get back to being aggressive on defence like we are on offence,” Petrie said. “We’ve got great versatility, great athletes, great thinkers on defence, but we’ve got to have it all going at once. We can’t have three or four guys on the same page and one not, because one not is 20 per cent of your workforce out of action.” THE WRAP Opposition teams have been targeting Jerome Randle and Daniel Johnson defensively, but do Townsville have the offensive weapons in those positions to capitalise? Tonight would certainly be a good time for Brian Conklin to shake his funk and Norton to replicate his Perth Arena heroics. The 36ers are the NBL’s highest scoring team over the past six games, with four players averaging double figures and Adam Gibson contributing 9.8 points and 6.5 assists. The ability to rebound and run will be vital, because Adelaide are too quick in the open floor, but it’s a 50-50 game against the Crocs in the half-court.

Walker fires back with a 1 handed dunk of his own #HardBall @CairnsTaipans #Adelaide36ers https://t.co/Nol5YY3qzY

— NBL (@NBL) October 31, 2015