NBL 2014/15 Round 7: Real deal Beal leads Perth to victory over Adelaide
The league leading Perth Wildcats traveled to Adelaide to face the 36ers tonight in a rematch of last year’s Grand Final series. The Wildcats came into the game off the back of a huge win over the Sydney Kings while the 36ers were coming off a loss to the Sydney Kings last night.
The Wildcats were winless in Adelaide last year dropping two regular season games and one finals game but they displayed their dominance tonight with an 84 – 74 win. They were led by the phenomenal play of Jermaine Beal who scored 23 points on 8 of 14 shooting and dished out 5 dimes in the victory.
The game started very slowly for both teams, with shots not falling on either end. Matty Knight got the Wildcats started though with back-to-back baskets and Perth displayed their usual defensive hustle early on.
After six minutes of play the score was a meager 11 all with fouls, turnovers and poor shooting from both teams. A late surge from the Wildcats thanks to buckets from Jermaine Beal and Earnest Ross ensured they led at the break 25-15.
The second term began in much the same fashion as the first with lots of scrappy play from both teams. The Wildcats defense proved to be stifling for Adelaide as they only managed one field goal in the first three and a half minutes of the term.
Beal was once again looking dangerous with the ball in his hands and the Wildcats controlled the glass well. Again though, poor shooting from both teams dominated the quarter. Late in the term, Jamar Wilson took some control for Adelaide, they won the quarter 13-11 but Perth still led at the half 34-26 as both teams shot less than 40% in the opening half of play.
The third stanza began with Brendan Teys hitting back-to-back shots to put Adelaide within four as both teams came out firing and trading buckets early on. This continued for the majority of the quarter until once again, late in the quarter, Jermaine Beal took over. He sunk three big three pointers to give Perth a resounding 61-53 lead at the break.
Perth controlled the boards throughout the first three quarters of the game and this continued in the final term with Matty Knight grabbing offensive rebounds and scoring early. Adelaide made a last ditch effort when Jamar Wilson attempted to carry them to victory but a few late three pointers from Damian Martin ensured the Wildcats took out the win 84 – 74, taking them to a league best record 7-2.
Adelaide 36ers 74 (Wilson 20, Motum 13, Petrie 13)
Perth Wildcats 84 (Beal 23, Daniels 13, Knight 11)