Bullets make one last 'Casey' for playoff push

• Casey Prather drops 26 points, grabs seven boards in monster win
• Kendric Davis struggles from the field, shoots 1-from-8 from three
• 36ers loss deals tough blow to NBL25 playoff aspirations

Brisbane Bullets forward Casey Prather lit up the Adelaide 36ers for 26 points to lead the depleted road team to a stunning 92-89 upset victory (Game Centre) at a sold-out Adelaide Entertainment Centre in round 19 of NBL25 on Friday, January 31, 2025.

Brisbane were without Tyrell Harrison, NBL Next Star Rocco Zikarsky, Josh Bannan, Emmett Naar, Deng Adel and James Batemon.

Brisbane's head coach Justin Schueller couldn't contain his pride in his team's effort.

"When you think about everything we've gone through, it was just about getting the guys to understand they are doing a great job," Schueller said.

"I've got six guys in double-figures, everyone that came in gave us something and I'm just super proud of how resilient this group really is."

The win kept the Bullets' slim finals hopes alive while dealing a significant blow to the 36ers' playoff aspirations.

Adelaide 36ers coach Mike Wells said: "That one stings a little bit tonight.

"You want to put on a good show for these fans who have been unbelievably supportive this year with 14 sellouts.

"You want to come in and play well and get a win, and it feels bad, really bad to have that be the last regular season home game."

The match was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team able to establish a commanding lead for much of the contest. However, the turning point came at the start of the fourth quarter when Brisbane unleashed an 8-0 run to build a 13-point advantage.

Although Adelaide mounted a spirited comeback, closing the gap to just two points, the Bullets held their nerve to secure a victory that will long be remembered by fans and players alike.

Despite their absences, the Bullets showcased remarkable depth and team spirit, with six players scoring in double figures. This victory improved their record to 12-16, keeping their faint playoff hopes flickering, while Adelaide dropped to 13-14, missing a crucial opportunity to solidify their position in the top six.

The statistical story of the game highlights the Bullets' balanced attack and resilience. Casey Prather led the charge with a stellar 26 points and seven rebounds, while Keandre Cook contributed 17 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals.

Tohi Smith-Milner's double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds, including four crucial three-pointers, exemplified the team's all-hands-on-deck approach.

For Adelaide, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow, especially in front of their loyal home crowd. Kendric Davis led the 36ers with 24 points and 10 assists, but his shooting struggles (7-from-22 from the field, 1-from8 from three-point range) epitomised the team's offensive woes. Davis missed a three at the buzzer to tie it up.

Montrezl Harrell (20 points, 10 rebounds) and DJ Vasiljevic (20 points, 10 rebounds, four assists) put in strong performances, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Bullets' inspired play.

Looking ahead, both teams face crucial matches that could define their seasons. The 36ers now embark on a challenging road trip, facing the South East Melbourne Phoenix and Perth Wildcats. These games will be pivotal in determining their playoff fate.

Meanwhile, the Bullets have just one game remaining, a road clash with the Cairns Taipans next Thursday. While their playoff chances remain slim, this victory against Adelaide has given them a glimmer of hope and momentum heading into their final regular-season encounter.