'Pissed off' and ready for redemption

Adelaide star DJ Vasiljevic says the 36ers are "pissed off" and ready to bounce back, after a disappointing 27-point loss at the hands of New Zealand. 

After what can only be described as a tumultuous last year for the club, in which CJ Bruton and Scott Ninnis parted ways from their coaching roles, the 36ers are on the rise.

They boast one of the most talented rosters in the league, with Montrezl Harrell, Kendric Davis, Isaac Humphries, Jarell Martin and Vasiljevic leading the way, and are on the cusp of the top two. 

Vasiljevic says the big loss to the Breakers was an aberration and the team can turn things around on Sunday against one of the league's best, Illawarra.

He reflected on the club's progress across the past six months, under new coach Mike Wells. 

“When people ask ‘Oh, what about Adelaide’ it’s like, ‘Man, Adelaide’s a really good basketball team who are very competitive and are looking like a finals contending team’,” Vasiljevic told Code Sports.

“We have time to regenerate the group and see we can come out with the appropriate energy to defend our home court,” he said on SEN.

“We have to protect home court, we are four from four there this season. We need to protect the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.”

The 36ers have won nine straight at home, but face an almighty task to defeat the second-placed Hawks.

“They are a tremendous team, we have played them once this year, I give coach (Justin) Tatum and their guys a ton of credit,” coach Wells added.

“They (Illawarra) are a really good basketball team, they are playing good basketball at the moment, but we only play 29 games, every game really matters, anyone can beat anyone in this league.”

Adelaide hosts Illawarra from 4.30pm AEDT on Sunday, live on ESPN, 10 Bold and 10 Play.