THE SECOND of tonight’s two Ignite Cup clashes in the National Basketball League (NBL) will take at RAC Arena, as the Perth Wildcats welcome the Brisbane Bullets out west in a battle between two teams contrasting in form.

While the Wildcats are among the heavyweight teams at the top of the ladder having won most of their games to start the season, the Bullets are looking to move up the standings in the midst of a slow start to the fixture.

However, the NBL is known for surprising upsets, and the Bullets certainly have the star power to pull off the boilover, although it will certainly take their best against a seriously in-form Wildcats unit boasting home court advantage.

Perth Wildcats vs. Brisbane Bullets

MyState Bank Arena
Wednesday, October 15 @ 9:30pm AEDT

The Wildcats have been terrific to start the season, proving tough to beat and having a great beginning to life after franchise player and five-time MVP Bryce Cotton, with his departure initially looming as a devastating blow for the team.

However, Perth has found a new star to rally behind in Jo Lual-Acuil, who dropped a terrific 30-point, 10-rebound performance last weekend and has shot into MVP consideration as a result. Lual-Acuil has been an absolute monster on both ends of the floor and if the Wildcats continue on their winning ways, he could be a new recipient of the league’s top gong.

One player the Wildcats will be eager to get going is import Mason Jones, who has not quite adjusted to life in the NBL. The former G League Finals MVP has an undeniable level of talent, but is still warming to the style of play in Australia. If he can find his feet against the Bullets, it could launch him into form for the remainder of the season.

The Bullets have been struggling throughout the opening weeks of the season, not quite able to fire as well as many expected given the import trio they assembled in Jaylen Adams, Casey Prather and Javon Freeman-Liberty, although the latter has returned home after a mutual parting with the team.

Sitting with just one win from five outings, Brisbane sits in ninth spot in the standings and is in danger of falling behind the eight ball given how many other sides have enjoyed strong starts to the season, such as its opponent tonight.

One player who will be crucial to the team’s success will be Adams, with the former MVP needing to fire on the road tonight if the Bullets are any chance of causing an upset. He has not had the strongest start to the season, but has shown what he is capable of in the past. If he can get back to his best on the offensive end and supply some help to Prather, it will be a massive boost to Brisbane’s chances of knocking off the championship hopeful and getting their own season back on track.