{"id":471901,"date":"2026-02-11T02:37:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T02:37:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/471901\/"},"modified":"2026-02-11T02:37:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T02:37:14","slug":"wildcats-peaking-at-right-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/471901\/","title":{"rendered":"Wildcats peaking at right time"},"content":{"rendered":"

Winners of eight of their past nine matches, the Perth Wildcats are as in-form as any team in the Hungry Jack\u2019s NBL competition.<\/p>\n

This run has vaulted John Rillie\u2019s side into the all-important top four, with just two rounds remaining.<\/p>\n

But because of teams like Sydney, Adelaide and South East Melbourne, the Wildcats have flown under the radar the past few weeks.<\/p>\n

Not anymore, with NBL commentator Pete Hooley believing the Wildcats have all the makings of a title contender.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey’re building at the right time, led by the terrific Kristian Doolittle, who\u2019s proving why he is the best two-way player in the league, Dylan Windler and Jo Lual-Acuil Jr,\u201d Hooley said on Monday\u2019s episode of NBL Overtime.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s taken them to the next level recently is the play of Ben Henshall and Elijah Pepper, who have been amazing the past few games.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese five together are very potent and could easily be there at the business end of the season if they get the right path to the Championship Series. It\u2019s going to be a fascinating watch.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Fellow panellist Damon Lowery is confident the Wildcats, who are currently playing with guards David Duke Jr and Jaron Rillie, can make some noise in the post-season.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Perth Wildcats know who they are; they don’t have any identity issues and play to their strengths,\u201d Lowery said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen Henshall and Elijah Pepper have been huge, while Kristian Doolittle has been doing it on both ends against some of the best power forwards in the league, like John Brown III and Jack McVeigh.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s so complete as a player and is happy make others the focal point on offence, [which makes Perth so dangerous].\u201d<\/p>\n

While Rillie\u2019s side has been ticking along nicely, their biggest test in recent weeks awaits in Sydney on Sunday, against a Kings side that has rattled off 14 wins from their past 16 games.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerth will have its hands full with a Sydney team that is playing at a very, very high level at the moment,\u201d Worthington said on NBL Now.<\/p>\n

Sunday\u2019s Round 21 blockbuster between Sydney and Perth tips off at 4.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN and 10 Drama.<\/p>\n

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