The Adelaide Flames ignited their season with a convincing 93-83 triumph over the struggling Melbourne Blaze at the packed Adelaide Arena on Thursday evening. In front of a lively crowd of 9,377, the Flames dominated from the outset, building a commanding 52-35 halftime lead that proved insurmountable.
Captain Ethan Thompson led the charge with 22 points, while teammates Julian Wright and Tyler Johnson added 22 and 21 points, respectively. The dynamic duo of Thompson and Wright set the tone early, guiding the Flames to a 7-1 start that blossomed into a 25-16 advantage by the end of the first quarter.
The Blaze struggled to find their rhythm, shooting a dismal 30% from the field and 11% from beyond the arc in the opening period. Their woes continued in the second quarter, as the Flames’ trio of Thompson, Wright, and Johnson proved unstoppable.
The Blaze’s lone bright spot, import sensation Alex Russell, poured in 32 points, but his efforts were ultimately in vain. The Flames’ lead swelled to 20 points in the third quarter, thanks in part to Thompson’s clutch three-pointer.
A brief skirmish between the teams late in the third quarter resulted in technical fouls for both Russell and Flames enforcer Marcus Lee. The tension carried over into the final quarter, where the Blaze staged a valiant comeback, narrowing the gap to single digits. However, the Flames’ early cushion proved too great, and they cruised to their first win of the season.
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