Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie addresses their poor record in close games after NBL loss to Adelaide 36ers

Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie admits the club is still working out who they should turn to when matches are on the line after they lost another tight game to Adelaide on Sunday. The Wildcats gave up a 21-point lead during the third quarter to lose by one point at RAC Arena. That defeat took their record in games where the difference was three points or less inside the last minute to 2-4. The club focused on building a more even roster with depth this year and haven’t identified one person who they can turn to when the pressure is at its highest. Perth had the luxury of putting the ball in Bryce Cotton’s hands when they needed a match-winning play in the past. and he scored six points in the last 62 seconds for Adelaide. “i think we’re evolving in that area because for the last nine years, this club has known what’s going on at that point of the game. But I like the way it could be a number of guys. That’s serviced us well in the recent time.,” Rillie said. “It’s easy to reflect on the fourth quarters but if you look at the way we closed the majority of the quarters, we allowed them to gain a bit of momentum. Any team that is playing at a high level will finish the quarters. We just haven’t been doing that consistently and good enough this season.” Rillie’s decision not to call a time out when Adelaide took the lead with 14.8 seconds remaining has also created debate. The Wildcats quickly got the ball back into play and Kristian Doolittle attempted to win the game with a three-pointer on the buzzer. Rillie said he’d make the same call again. “I’ve done this the whole time here,” he said. “If we can get it in and play with a pace - they had no time-outs left so (we’d be) allowing them to set their defence. I like those advantage moments like Duke getting downhill or Doolittle getting downhill. Maybe you kick ahead to Windler. I’m trusting my players in those moments and there was plenty of time for us to manufacture a shot.” The Wildcats are now 9-7 and face a crunch game against Sydney Kings at RAC Arena on Friday night. A win over the 36ers, just days after beating Melbourne United would have had the Wildcats riding high on confidence and entrenched in the top four. Now they will drop below the fifth-placed Kings if they lose on Friday. Rillie said it was important his team handles their disappointment the right way. “Life has moments where you get tested. This is going to be a moment where we can learn and move forward. “I’m very comfortable and confident that will happen because this team has shown great resolve so far as we’re moving through the season. You live and learn and you move on. I look forward to the next time we are in this situation and how we handle it.”