DrinkWise game preview - Round 20: Wildcats v 36ers

The Wildcats can finish as high as second spot on the NBL ladder with a win over the 36ers, but they'll have to rely on South East Melbourne to defeat Melbourne United by a certain amount on Saturday night.

Perth are currently 1.16 per cent behind second-placed United. An overall swing of about 30 points between both results is expected to be enough to lift the Wildcats above Melbourne which would give them home qualifying rights for the semi-finals.

But Wildcats coach John Rillie urged his team to just focus on winning.

“First and foremost, we have to win the game. We can’t worry about the percentages,” Rillie said.

“As I have talked about all year, it’s about the way we play. If we play the right way and if we give it the right intent, we will get the result. The way we play will dictate all of that. First and foremost I am worried about how we come out and we perform.

“We’ve got to go and win the game. We have to stay focused on winning the game.”

The Wildcats are 3-0 against the 36ers this season, winning two games at Adelaide Entertainment Centre and the most recent at RAC Arena on January 17.

Big man Jarell Martin remains out with a calf injury in a big loss for the 36ers, with youngster Keanu Rasmussen to take his place.

Fellow import Kendric Davis has enjoyed a brilliant debut season in the NBL, averaging the most assists (eight) and second-most points (25.31) per game in the competition.

Rillie said there were plenty of options to guard Davis, who will be one of the keys to a 36ers victory.

“We’re fortunate we can throw some different looks at him with the likes of (Ben) Henshall, Windler and (Kristian) Doolittle. We change up our coverages a little bit trying to give him some different looks. He’s a good player,” Rillie said.

“It’s the efficiency we need to control. If we’re not creating turnovers, if he’s shooting a good percentage because he’s shooting uncontested or he’s sucking us into fouls and getting to the foul line, it’s those little things that add up over the course of 40 minutes.”

The Wildcats will have a full-strength roster for the third game in a row, with speedster Tai Webster (hamstring) and import Dylan Windler (eye) making successful returns last round.

Rillie was pleased to see Webster back after a long injury layoff, saying he brings a different dynamic to the Wildcats' back court.

“You saw last weekend in both games, South East (Melbourne) and Sydney, the dynamic he brings to our group, the difference that he brings like Bryce Cotton is different to Ben Henshall, Tai Webster brings a different dynamic, as does Elijah Pepper," Rillie said.

“So now we have a backcourt in the rotation that we're looking forward to having throughout the season and he’s integral to our success.”

Game details

Who: Perth Wildcats vs Adelaide 36ers

When: 6.30pm WST Friday 7 February

Where: RAC Arena

Watch: Live on ESPN (via Kayo or Foxtel)

Opposition watch

Adelaide lost both of their Round 19 clashes to Brisbane and South East Melbourne respectively.

But they have plenty of offensive weapons, highlighted by Kendric Davis, Dejan Vasiljevic and Montrezl Harrell.

Sunday Dech will likely be given the task of stopping Bryce Cotton after recently returning from a hamstring injury.

Last time they met

The Wildcats made it three from three for NBL25 against the 36ers last time they met, back on January 17 at RAC Arena.

Perth have five players in double digits in the 110-103 loss, with Kristian Doolittle leading the way with a 27-point, 10-rebound double-double.

Bryce Cotton chipped in with 22 points, seven assists and five rebounds.

Kendric Davis was the 36ers' best with 31 points and 10 assists.