Kai Sotto scores 7 points in NBL preseason debut; Adelaide 36ers win in OT over Cairns Taipans

Kai Sotto introduced himself to Australian basketball after playing a part in the Adelaide 36ers' 91-87 overtime victory over the Cairns Taipans in the preseason tournament National Basketball League (NBL) Blitz on Sunday.

Sotto, who was a starter in this first game, played close to 20 minutes and produced seven points and five rebounds in the 36ers win.

Tied at 72 with less than a minute left in the game, Sotto made a layup, which was followed by Tad Dufelmeier as Adelaide took a four-point lead with 27 seconds remaining.

However, Majok Deng drilled a triple to cut the Taipans' deficit. Emmanuel Malou sank charities off a Stephen Zimmerman foul to give the 36ers a 78-75 lead, but Tahjere Mccall made a shot to cut their deficit to just a point.

Cameron Bairstow split his free throws to give them a two point lead with nine seconds left, but an Adelaide goaltend call during the final moments of regulation tied the game at 79 and brought it to overtime.

The 36ers opened the extra period with eight straight points to bury the Taipans and eventually take the win.

Sotto's first basket was a three-point play off a dunk and a foul at the 7:01 mark of the second period.

Introducing @kzsottolive ???? #WeAreSixers pic.twitter.com/fhtxsUNpez

— Adelaide 36ers (@Adelaide36ers) November 14, 2021

Daniel Johnson led Adelaide with 33 points and eight rebounds while Dufelmeier logged 14 points.

Zimmerman led the Taipans with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Deng and Mccall had 18 and 16 points each.

Sotto and the 36ers will be back in action on Tuesday against the Perth Wildcats.

—JMB, GMA News