Kai Sotto scores 12 but win remains elusive for skidding Adelaide 36ers

Kai Sotto turned in a perfect shooting performance but it was not enough for his Adelaide 36ers to break out of their slump, as they stumbled against the Tasmania JackJumpers, 76-71, in the National Basketball League (NBL) on Friday night (Manila time).

The 7-foot-2 wunderkind dropped 12 points on 100-percent shooting from the field to go along with two rebounds and one block in just 16.5 minutes of action.

But the 36ers absorbed their third straight loss as they slid to the ninth spot to forge a tie with Tasmania at 3-6.

DJ puts it up.
Kai throws it DOWN!

???? - @ESPNAusNZ + @kayosports pic.twitter.com/RfxfFbIuhf

— Adelaide 36ers (@Adelaide36ers) January 28, 2022

Leading 59-52 at the start of the payoff period, Adelaide suddenly lost focus and gave up several opportunities to the JackJumpers, who cut the deficit following five-straight points from Josh Magette to open the quarter, 60-57.

The 19-year-old Sotto would still complete a dunk, 62-60, but Tasmania took over the lead courtesy of an 11-7 run for a 71-69 spread.

The 36ers' Cameron Bairstow, who finished with a double-double of 11 points and 17 rebounds, went for a layup but time wasn't on Adelaide's side as Magette put the icing on the cake en route to the win.  

Adelaide will look to stop the losing streak when it battles league-leading Melbourne United on Sunday at 10 a.m.

—JMB, GMA News