NBL: Kai Sotto, Adelaide 36ers snap skid to stay in playoff hunt

Photo courtesy of the Adelaide 36ers

MANILA, Philippines – Kai Sotto and the Adelaide 36ers ended a five-game skid when they qualified from Cairns Taipans, 99-96, to keep their playoff hopes alive in the 2022-23 Australian National Basketball League season, Monday at the Cairns Convention Centre.

The 7-foot-3 Filipino scored 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting to go with two rebounds and one assist but the starting center only played over 12 minutes due to foul trouble.

Antonius Cleveland came to the rescue in the payoff period, scoring 11 of his 27-point burst in the quarter on top of seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals to keep the 36ers in the hunt for a playoff spot at 12-14. record for the eighth seed.

When Cairns took a 90-89 lead after Dj Hogg’s three-pointer at 4:20, Franks scored five straight points to fuel Adelaide’s 8-2 run to take the driver’s seat, 97-92, with 2:24 remaining.

However, the Taipans refused to give up as Tahjere Mccall and Shannon Scott cut the deficit to one, 97-96, only for Ian Clark to sink a clutch floater, giving the 36ers a 99-96 lead with 34 seconds to play.

It was a shaky finish for Adelaide with Clark committing a turnover. But luckily, Hogg missed a layup with 24 seconds left. Cleveland missed two free throws but made up for it with a McCall steal to seal the much-needed win.

Franks had 20 points, nine boards, and five dimes for the 36ers, while Clarke and Daniel Johnson added 11 points per bench.

Sotto and his team need to win their last two games against Sydney Kings on Friday and Melbourne United on Sunday to stay in playoff contention.

Second-seeded Cairns went to a 17-10 record with Hogg and Sam Waardenburg scoring 26 points each with the former grabbing eight rebounds.

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