DrinkWise game preview - Round 13: Perth Wildcats v Adelaide 36ers

Perth Wildcats head coach Rillie and his 36ers counterpart Ninnis played in Adelaide’s 1998 title together.

Rillie is in his second season at the helm of the second-placed Wildcats, who have turned things around after a slow start by winning eight of their last 10 games, while Ninnis took over from CJ Bruton as interim coach earlier this month.

“When you’re a part of a championship team together there’s a unique and special bond that goes along with that, but that will be pushed to the side when the ball gets thrown up,” Rillie said.

The Wildcats have been on the road since last Friday, losing to Melbourne United in overtime at John Cain Arena on Saturday before bouncing back with a nail-biting victory over Cairns on Boxing Day.

Rillie said spending a significant period away from home this time of year was something the team had come to expect with the United Cup tennis tournament using RAC Arena from late December to early January.

“At this time of the year we’re always going to travel because they have a tennis tournament in Perth, kind of like Melbourne later on in the month of January, where they get removed from their facilities,” Rillie said.

“The same thing happened in Perth with the lead-up tournament to the Australian Open.

“This is normal, now the amount of games we have in a concise space, I don’t know about that, but we’re always on the road at this time of year.”

The match will be Perth recruit Keanu Pinder's 100th appearance, fittingly in Adelaide where his NBL career started.

Veteran sharpshooter Corey Webster remains sidelined for the Wildcats with an ankle issue.

Game Details

Who: Perth Wildcats vs Adelaide 36ers

When: 4.30pm WST Thursday 28 December

Where: Adelaide Entertainment Centre

Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo or Foxtel

Opposition watch

The bottom-placed Adelaide are coming off a hard-fought win over Brisbane at home on Christmas Eve.

Club legend Ninnis has got 36ers playing competitively since taking over at the start of the month.

“Having the win Christmas Eve and then to turn around a play a team the caliber of Perth is a real exciting challenge for us,” Ninnis said.

The Wildcats and 36ers have faced off three times already in NBL24, with a 2-1 record in favour of Rillie’s side.

Last time they met

The Wildcats defeated Adelaide 99-88 last time the two sides met at RAC Arena back in early November.

Bryce Cotton starred with a game-high 29 points and Jordan Usher had an impact off the bench with 17, while Trey Kell was Adelaide’s best with 25 points and six rebounds.

It kickstarted a mid-season surge for the Wildcats, who won six games in a row.