Adelaide 36ers survive 'not again' collapse

• Adelaide survive Hawks stunning comeback to win by three
• Montrezl Harrell and Kendric Davis combine for 51
• Sam Froling has a career night with 35 points and 13 boards

Adelaide 36ers almost squandered (again) a 25-point lead but managed to hold on for a nail-biting 91-88 win (Game Centre) against the Illawarra Hawks.

The clash, marked by a blistering start from the Sixers and a heroic comeback attempt led by Sam Froling's career-best performance, kept the 9,475 home fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

The 36ers came out ready blitzing the top-of-the-ladder Hawks, riding an emotional wave after retiring Daniel Johnson's No. 21 jersey and honouring NBL legend Darryl Pearce.

The Sixers intensity was elite as they scorched Illawarra for 63 points and building what seemed to be an insurmountable lead.

Montrezl Harrell was unstoppable early, pouring in 18 points before the break, while DJ Vasiljevic chipped in with 16.

But the Hawks are leading the league for a reason. Sam Froling put on a masterclass in the second half, kickstarting the comeback with 11 consecutive points to open the third quarter. The 36ers' lead, once as large as 25, dwindled to just three in the dying seconds.

It took a missed three-pointer from Tyler Harvey to seal the win for Adelaide.

The statistics tell the tale of two vastly different halves. Adelaide's scorching 58% shooting in the first half cooled considerably, while Illawarra's efficiency surged. The free throw disparity was stark, with Adelaide attempting 15 to Illawarra's 4 in the first half alone, highlighting the Sixers' early aggression.

Harrell put on show in the the first half and finished with a dominant 26 points, nine rebounds, and three assists. His three-point play late in the fourth quarter proved crucial in stemming the Hawks' tide. Kendric Davis also shone, contributing 25 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists.

"We knew we were going to get a punch, maybe a couple of them," Adelaide coach Mike Wells said.

"Would we have loved for it to look a little prettier in the second half? Sure, I guess. We did win the game — that's the ultimate goal."

For the Hawks, Froling's career night was the silver lining in defeat. His 35 points and 13 rebounds on 15-from-21 shooting showcased his immense potential and kept Illawarra in the fight. Darius Days' late heroics, scoring 11 of his 13 points in the final three minutes, nearly completed the improbable comeback.

Looking ahead, both teams face crucial matchups that could shape the playoff picture. The 36ers, now 10-12 and closing in on a top-six spot, head west to face the Perth Wildcats on Friday. The Hawks, still clinging to the top spot at 15-8, host Melbourne United on Saturday in a battle for league supremacy. With the season entering its crucial stages, every win becomes increasingly vital in the race for playoff positioning.