NBL: Kai Sotto, Adelaide 36ers fall to third straight loss

Adelaide 36ers’ Kai Sotto. –ADELAIDE 36ERS PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Kai Sotto produced a solid outing off the bench but it wasn’t enough to get Adelaide back on track in Australia’s 2021-22 National Basketball League season on Friday.

The 36ers battled back from a double-digit hole in the fourth quarter before coming up short down the stretch in a 83-76 loss to South East Melbourne Phoenix at Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

Sotto had game-highs of nine rebounds and three blocks with four points and two assists to boot in 19 minutes of play.

Tad 🤝 DJ 🤝 Kai.

📺 – @ESPNAusNZ + @kayosports pic.twitter.com/ohd7ESBrm9

— Adelaide 36ers (@Adelaide36ers) March 4, 2022

Adelaide stared at an 11-point deficit to start the final frame before Daniel Johnson took over.

Johnson fired a game-best 31 points, 13 in the fourth quarter, including a layup that tied the game at 76 with 1:19 to play.

That basket, however, would be Adelaide’s last as South East Melbourne scored seven unanswered to close the game.

The 36ers, losers of three in a row, dropped to 5-10 for eighth place while the Phoenix, who are just a game behind No. 1 Melbourne United, upped their mark to 11-5.

RELATED STORIES

Kai Sotto ready for ‘more challenging’ 2022

Kai Sotto struggles as Adelaide 36ers lose close one to Sydney