Wildcats snatch win from 36ers

Perth's James Ennis salutes the crowd during his 30-point performance. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: News Corp Australia

Perth's James Ennis with the lay up. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: News Corp Australia

A SUPERB performance by James Ennis helped the Perth Wildcats move to within one win of a championship after edging Adelaide 92-85 in the opening Grand Final game at Perth Arena.

Ennis scored 19 of his game-high 30 points in the second half, while Jermaine Beal added 19 to help Perth take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series in front of 13,291 fans.

Cats vice-captain Greg Hire (10 points, seven rebounds) was the unsung hero of the night, providing the X-factor as the home side held off a vicious late surge to claim the win.

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36ers skipper Adam Gibson bravely led the late fightback and finished with 13 points and nine assists before fouling out, while Daniel Johnson had 18 and eight boards.

Perth Wildcats fan welcomes his side to the court. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: News Corp Australia

Playing his first game since missing out on the league's MVP prize last week, Ennis made an emphatic statement that he is the competition's best player with a fine all-round effort that included 10 rebounds.

Adelaide coach Joey Wright voiced his displeasure at Perth getting 47 free throw attempts, with the visitors able to muster just 13.

"If (Ennis) can play 37 minutes, don't foul, and shoot 17 free throws, we can't stop him," Wright said.

"If he can play that many minutes and don't foul, and get fouled every time you breathe on him, we can't stop him.

"There was a whole country watching this game. As impartial as I or anybody else tries to be, it was on TV tonight."

When asked why the foul count of 32-19 was lobsided, Wright replied: "I have no idea.

"This crowd is great, and they're boisterous, but it seems sometimes... I don't know... they do a great job.

"40 free throws... I'm at a loss.

"I thought that we drove to that lane quite a bit, and there was quite a bit of contact and it just wasn't called."

Perth coach Trevor Gleeson said his side had adjustments to make for Game 2, but was thrilled to get a first-up victory.

"We knew that (Adelaide) was going to come at us, and I was pretty pleased with the resilience they showed there to get the win," he said.

"We've certainly got to keep the ball movement and attacking the rim. James was sensational attacking the rim tonight."

The Cats held an 12-point lead entering the final term, and looked like they would be untroubled when Hire sunk a dagger triple from the corner.

But consecutive threes from Gibson gave the visitors a glimmer of hope.

Gary Ervin was blocked twice in two minutes as Perth's defence held strong, before a Jason Cadee triple closed the gap to six with 90 seconds remaining.

BJ Anthony and Johnson then made huge baskets to cut the deficit to just three with 18 seconds left.

Perth's Shawn Redhage takes a shot. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: News Corp Australia

However, Beal held his nerve at the free throw line to help the home side seal the deal.

The teams meet again for Game 2 in Adelaide on Friday, with the series returning to Perth on Sunday if a decider is required.

Ennis signalled his intentions in the opening 30 seconds of the game with a three-point play after absorbing contact from Johnson to bank a floater.

A fired-up Ennis then waved his arms to rev up the crowd while standing at the free-throw line.

But it was WA native Johnson who did the early talking, draining 10 points – including a pair of long bombs – in the opening five minutes.

Cats skipper Damian Martin was typically active from the get-go, soaring for an offensive putback and then producing a fine block on Johnson at the other end.

The Wildcats entered the clash with a formidable 13-2 record on its home court this season, and showed why they've been so tough to beat as they put the foot to the floor in the second term.

Martin picked up his third foul midway through the second quarter, but Beal showed he was more than up to the task of running Perth's offence as he helped the home side push their lead into double digits.

Beal added nine points for the term as he burned the Sixers from long range.

Perth's Jermaine Beal looks to get past Adelaide's Daniel Johnson. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: News Corp Australia

Hire provided an important cameo with characteristic hustle and a five-point burst to help the Cats take a 51-40 lead into intermission.

Perth ruled the offensive boards 13-4 in the first half, setting up 15 second-chance points to Adelaide's two to prove the difference.

A Redhage triple straight after the resumption hurt Adelaide's chances of a comeback, but Gibson was keeping them in touch at the offensive end.

However, the Sixers were having trouble containing Ennis down low.

The star import powered past Gary Ervin to finish on a fast break to bring the crowd to its feet – chanting "MVP!" – as Perth edged towards a series lead.

The minor premier Wildcats are looking to secure an NBL-best sixth title, while Adelaide can join Perth on five championships if they pull off the upset.

Follow Chris Robinson on Twitter: @CJKRobinson

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