Adelaide 36ers out to snap four-game losing streak when they play South East Melbourne on Monday

Coach Joey Wright says his 36ers are trending in the right direction as they aim to end a winless stretch on Monday night against the Phoenix.

Anthony Drmic of Adelaide (right) contests with Mitch McCarron of Melbourne United during the Round 6 NBL match between the Melbourne United and the Adelaide 36ers at Melbourne Arena in Melbourne, Sunday, November 10, 2019. (AAP Image/Hamish Blair) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

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Adelaide shooting guard Anthony Drmic believes the 36ers aren’t that far away from toppling a top-four team despite heading to play South East Melbourne on a four-game losing streak on Monday.

In the three weeks since the Phoenix beat them 101-91 on their home court, Adelaide has lost to Sydney by two, Melbourne United by 19 and Perth by four on Friday night, but Drmic is seeing enough signs to stay positive.

“I think we’re right there,” he said.

“Defensively we still have our patches but I think we were better (against Perth), we’ve just got to keep working at it and hopefully the results start coming.”

Coach Joey Wright said he was pleased with large parts of the 99-95 loss to the Wildcats who, ultimately, made the baskets when they needed them.

36er Jack McVeigh competes with Wildcats Rhys Vague and Damian Martin for a ground ball during the round seven NBL match at Titanium Security Arena on November 15. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

“They made some plays that we didn't,” Wright said.

“There were a few (of our shots) that I wasn’t happy with, but that’s going to be a part of it, you’d love to be bailed out by some of those shots but we executed fairly well.”

The Sixers started strongly against the Phoenix in their last meeting but were overwhelmed by John Roberson’s three-point shooting and former MVP Mitch Creek in the second half.

As they try to snap out of the four-game losing streak, Wright said they should be inspired by one of their opponents on Friday night in 35-year-old Perth veteran Damian Martin.

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Martin was hugely affective in the closing stages with crucial steals and timely blocks to give his side possession.

“He’s tenacious, he just keeps working,” Wright said.

“I’m always amazed at guys who feel like they need to give the guy they’re playing against a break.

“Damo’s knees are probably as good as mine and his ankles not much better, and he’s still out there just not giving guys a break.

“That’s not a skill, that’s coming from within.”

36er Jerome Randle has his shot blocked by Wildcat Damian Martin. Picture: AAP Image/Kelly Barnes

Daniel Johnson rebounded from two quieter games to have an equal game-high 23 points and 13 rebounds on Friday night, but Wright said he wasn’t fussed by his inconsistency.

“Someone asked me before the game about DJ having a bad one last one, I never even think about whether DJ has good games or bad games because I know at the end of the day he will have a lot more good than bad,” Wright said.

“So, he played really well tonight, I thought he kept his composure and rebounded really well, it would have been nice to get a win for him.”

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Originally published as Adelaide 36ers out to snap four-game losing streak when they play South East Melbourne on Monday