Basketball On The Internet.

NBL GOTE Bryce Cotton turned back the clock today as Adelaide brushed aside Cairns 112-86, the six-time (and current) league MVP throwing down a two-handed fast-break dunk as the quest for the Blitz's Loggins-Bruton Cup tightened up at Bendigo's Red Energy Arena. 

South East Melbourne earlier put one hand on the coveted preseason silverware when it escaped Brisbane's clutches 113-105, but by winning only two quarters, the Phoenix gathered five of a possible seven Blitz points.

They claimed six in their win over Sydney so now have 11 and must wait for the outcome of the Melbourne-Illawarra match tomorrow to see if the club has won its first NBL event.

Melbourne smacked Perth in its opener, grabbing six points from that victory.

Adelaide gathered six points from its rout of an undisciplined Cairns today but only scored 2.5 Blitz points from its last-shot loss to Illawarra, putting the 36ers out of Cup contention.

The Taipans were disappointing in their loss. Down key players - as many teams have been throughout the Blitz - their biggest takeaway may have been Jonah Bolden sticking consecutive threes when first introduced, as opposed to fouling out in record time.

Bryce Cotton opened in superlative fashion, his 22 points at 67 per cent gleaned from 17:20 of action. (There's no truth to rumours previous Sixers "coach" Mike Wells texted when he saw the time Cotton played with "That can't be right?")

The match had a mildly amusing moment in the third quarter when Jack McVeigh did his impersonation of former Townsville big man Mick Pennisi when he was playing in the Philippines. Pennisi's delayed outrageous flop - relive it here - is one for the ages.

McVeigh clashed with Zylan Cheatham who then gave him a mild push. When McVeigh registered the contact, he flung himself forward, jumping up agitated as if something untoward occurred. It hadn't, as replays in the venue showed, bringing laughter and derision as a reaction.

South East Melbourne erased any hope Brisbane entertained of taking home the top prize after bursting from the gates with a 37-point opening quarter. A 30-point second period had the Phoenix comfortably ahead at halftime but Arnas Velička orchestrated a strong Brisbane fightback.

The Bullets actually cut the deficit to four but South East settled and saw out a strong win that gives it a chance of winning the Cup.

This website can confirm Angus Glover did NOT say he would lop off an ear if the Phoenix missed out. However it is possible he may have said: "I think you're confusing me with some other guy."

Blitz #4

South East Melbourne Phoenix 113 (Schwartz 17, Glover 16, Daniels, Sobey 14, Mays 12, Krebs 11; Glover 5 rebs; Daniels, Sobey 4 assts) d Brisbane Bullets 105 (Velicka 24, Mackinnon 17, Hinton 14, Harrison 13, Williams 11; Harrison 8 rebs; Velicka 7 assts) at Red Energy Arena, Bendigo. Qtr-By-Qtr: 37-21, 30-33, 17-26, 29-25. Pts: South East 5, Brisbane 2.

Adelaide 36ers 112 (Cotton 22, Jenkins 19, Cameron 16, Cheatham 13, Rasmussen, Rakocevic 10; Rakocevic 13 rebs; White 4 assts) d Cairns Taipans 86 (Smith 14, Bolden 11, L.McVeigh, J.McVeigh 10; L.McVeigh 6 rebs; Brown 4 assts) at Red Energy Arena, Bendigo. Qtr-By-Qtr: 31-23, 32-26, 27-12, 22-25. Pts: Adelaide 6, Cairns 1.