DrinkWise game preview - Round 16: Wildcats v Bullets

The third-placed Wildcats can make it six wins from seven before finally returning to RAC Arena for Friday night’s Open Air clash against Adelaide 36ers which will be the team’s first home game since December 6.

Coach John Rillie described Sunday’s 32-point win over reigning champs Tasmania JackJumpers in Hobart as his team’s most consistent of the season, but the focus has quickly turned to the Bullets.

"What I most liked was for us to maintain our level of play for as long as we did, it's probably the best we've done this year," Rillie said.

"Our consistency to win on the road now is what I like over these last few games. It was a very disappointing Wollongong loss so for me after that one it was about how were we going to bounce back being on the road for more games.

"We've navigated that so well but we have one more left on the road. We can't get fat and happy right now."

Import Kristian Doolittle will be looking to build on his successful return from a groin injury against the JackJumpers.

In his first game in more than a month, Doolittle came off the bench for four points and three rebounds in 14 minutes.

It’s a fully-fit Wildcats squad other than speedster Tai Webster who remains sidelined with a hamstring issue.

The injury-hit Bullets on the other hand are without Tyrell Harrison, Deng Adel, Emmett Naar, Kye Savage and Rocco Zikarsky, but Josh Bannan has been cleared to play.

Both teams boast some of the most prolific scorers in the competition, with Bryce Cotton the NBL’s best with 27.53 points per game.

Brisbane import and former Wildcats favourite Casey Prather is ranked third in the competition with 20.86 points and has been in red-hot form of late.

It’s the last time these two teams will face off in the regular season, with the home side winning both previous encounters in NBL25.

The game will be Wildcats big man Keanu Pinder’s 50th for the club.

Game details

Who: Perth Wildcats vs Brisbane Bullets

When: 4.30pm WST Wednesday 15 January

Where: Brisbane Entertainment Centre

Watch: Live on ESPN (via Kayo or Foxtel)

Opposition watch

It’s been an up-and-down season for the Bullets, who currently sit in seventh spot on the ladder with a 10-12 record.

Brisbane have been hit hard by injuries for the majority of their NBL25 campaign.

Deng Adel (groin) and Emmett Naar (oblique) both picked up injuries in the undermanned Bullets' road loss to SEM Phoenix over the weekend, but Josh Bannan (knee) has been given the all clear.

James Batemon, who scored a club-record 51 points when the two sides met in Brisbane on November 17, has been ruled out for the season with hamstring injury.

Batemon has been replaced by former JackJumper Josh Adams.

The team has a 5-4 record at home including their most recent appearance at Brisbane Entertainment Centre against New Zealand last Wednesday.

Last time they met

The Wildcats enjoyed a big win over the Bullets last time the two sides met at RAC Arena on November 29.

Eight players reached double-figures in an even team performance, with Kristian Doolittle top-scoring with 17 points to go with seven assists and five rebounds in the 117-89 result.