Dr. Doolittle: Can 'Cats star stop the bleeding?

Kristian Doolittle is fully fit and will be available for the Wildcats’ clash against Brisbane on Friday night, coach John Rillie has confirmed. 

Perth is hoping to bounce back from a 21-point defeat, and an incredible 51-point display from James Batemon when the teams last met, with an early chance to atone just two weeks later. 

In that game, Doolittle hurt his knee early and never returned. 

Rillie believes the return of one of his most physical players will be vital in stopping history repeating, but certainly won’t be putting all his eggs in the one basket. 

“I’ve had two weeks to watch a lot of Batemon film from all facets of life,” the Wildcats’ coach said. 

“The thing that really opened my eyes and surprised me about him, because I’ve had time to really sink my teeth into it, is he (Batemon) capitalises on team structures, defensive lapses … when you just relax that minute … he’s exceptional at capitalising when someone relaxes. 

“The other thing he does is accumulate points in transition. He’s opportunistic there and when they (the Bullets) offensive-rebound, they have a great knack and he has a terrific knack of being open to get the kick-out three.”

Rillie said the return of Doolittle would provide a valuable “physical presence”, but only a team response would stop a repeat of Batemon’s scoring masterclass. 

Just a week earlier against Melbourne, Chris Goulding dropped 46 against the Wildcats, with the team's defence now under the spotlight.

“The guy defending him has his job, the guys on the ball, off the ball have their job, and he does a great job of understanding the moment where the team relaxes,” Rillie continued. 

“He’s shooting the three at over 50 per cent this season, so you give someone like him or Chris Goulding that opportunity … it’s tough. 

“Doolittle is usually that guy for us, because Batemon’s a physical guard and Doolittle’s a physical presence, but he wasn’t on the floor (last time), and he has a willingness to take on those moments. 

“If 51 doesn’t get your attention, it never will, but in saying that, it’s a team sport and you can’t forget about the other guys they’ve got on their team as well.” 

The Bullets have been hit hard with injury over the FIBA Break, with Josh Bannan, Tohi Smith-Milner and Deng Adel joining Jarred Bairstow on the sidelines. 

Brisbane will be strengthened by the return of Casey Prather though, as the Wildcats (six wins, seven losses) take on the Bullets (four wins, six losses) on Friday night at RAC Arena. 

Tip-off is at 9.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.