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Sixers celebrate Harrell's return by halting NBL slide

3 minute read

Star import Montrezl Harrell has returned from his NBL suspension to help the Adelaide 36ers to a home win over the New Zealand Breakers.

The Adelaide 36ers have celebrated Montrezl Harrell's return with a 111-94 defeat of the under-pressure New Zealand Breakers that snaps their four-game NBL losing streak.

It was Harrell's American countryman Kendric Davis who was again the Sixers' star at home on Sunday, outplaying Parker Jackson-Cartwright in a duel of import superstars.

Davis (36 points, nine assists) shot three of his side's seven three-pointers for the second period as the Sixers punished their visitors for a leaky zone defence that left the corners open. 

Nick Marshall pitched in three triples during the second quarter, after which the Sixers never trailed.

The Breakers did close to one point during the third quarter on the back of highly-touted 17-year-old Karim Lopez (12 points, six rebounds), whose one-handed dunk in transition stunned the crowd.

But a Davis three-pointer restored what was then a game-high 13-point lead as the final four minutes approached, all but sealing the Breakers' fate.

The Breakers were on the back foot almost from the tip-off; starter Jonah Bolden picked up two fouls inside 35 seconds, heading to the bench and forcing the front-court rotation off balance.

Former NBA Sixth Man of the Year Harrell cashed in on return from the three-game ban he received following a melee with courtside fans.

Harrell (21 points, 10 rebounds, five assists) helped neutralise Breakers import Tacko Fall, still searching for his breakout NBL game, and linked up effectively with Davis all night.

Harrell's two-handed dunk out of a Breakers timeout was a particular highlight in the third quarter.

The American was ever the showman, celebrating one basket by lying on the ground and mimicking a swimmer.

But he'd have been disappointed with his form from the free throw line, hitting only five of his 10 attempts, one of which missed the ring entirely.

Jackson-Cartwright bounced back from a tough night in his side's last loss to finish with 22 points and eight assists.

But the MVP candidate could not prevent the Kiwi side from falling to a sixth consecutive loss, with next week's home clash with the Sydney Kings shaping as a must-win.

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