DrinkWise game preview: Round 16 - Perth Wildcats v Brisbane Bullets

The second-placed Wildcats (13-7) and fifth-ranked Bullets (11-11) have turned their fortunes around after a slow start to NBL24, with both teams well and truly in contention for the championship.

Head coach John Rillie is still working out the make-up of the Wildcats’ starting five in the absence of Kristian Doolittle (concussion), with NBL Next Star Alex Sarr (hip) also sidelined.

“We’re not going to re-create Kristian Doolittle with someone on our roster, but what we can do is Dave Okwera gets an opportunity to impact rebounding-wise,” Rillie said.

“Jordan Usher, Corey Webster and Michael Harris then can influence the game from a scoring point of view.

“Defensively it’s going to have to be a collective effort and rebounding, that’s going to have to be Okwera with those other guys I mentioned chipping in as well.”

Okwera earned the praise of captain Jesse Wagstaff on the back of a strong performance in last week’s win over South East Melbourne Phoenix at RAC Arena.

The former Melbourne United player reeled in six rebounds in a season-high 14 minutes.

“Dave had a fantastic week of practice last week, he was great in the game, but even before that he had a great week of practice and he was great on the practice track today as well,” Wagstaff said on Wednesday.

High praise for David Okwera from the skipper today! ?

Watch the full presser: https://t.co/qmRiOas4aV pic.twitter.com/cgLnEdGnGJ

— Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) January 17, 2024

“There are opportunities with potential injuries and guys out and that’s how it’s been all year, there’s injuries and whatnot and you just have to keep on playing.”

Rillie knows just how dangerous the Bullets, led by scoring machine Nathan Sobey, are at the moment.

“They’ve found a nice groove and rhythm the way they play,” he said.

“Nathan Sobey is second in the league in scoring, playing very efficiently, but besides scoring he’s been a great distributor.

“You talk about him but then you forget about four or five others guys capable of double-figure points.”

Game details

Who: Perth Wildcats vs Brisbane Bullets

When: 6.30pm WST Friday 19 January

Where: RAC Arena

Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo or Foxtel

Opposition watch

Like the Wildcats, Brisbane have won their last four games to kickstart their play-off aspirations.

The Bullets prevailed 110-103 over Illawarra at home on Sunday after Chris Smith’s game winner against Tasmania on Wednesday.

Sobey dropped 25 points against the Hawks to continue his hot form.

The Bullets will be without ex-Wildcat and mid-season recruit Casey Prather and Next Star Rocco Zikarsky, who both didn't make the trip to Perth due to illness.

Last time they met

The Wildcats and Bullets are one win apiece this season, but the away team claiming both games.

The two teams last met back on November 18 when Perth prevailed 79-76 in a thriller at Nissan Arena.

MVP favourite Bryce Cotton was the hero, scoring a game-high 25 points, while fellow import Doolittle chimed in with 21 to go with nine rebounds to fall just short of a double-double.

Smith was Brisbane’s best with 23 points.