Lowery defends Rakocevic’s hard edge

While Phoenix owner Romie Chaudhari was quick to criticise Nick Rakocevic for his hard foul on Akech Allir, NBL champion Damon Lowery has come to the Adelaide 36ers big man’s defence.

Chaudhari labelled Rakocevic’s actions “dirty” in a social media post, but Lowery disagreed, throwing his support behind the Adelaide big man.

“Nick is gonna cross the line from time to time; he's not a habitual line-crosser, but he will step over  [every now and then],” Lowery said on Thursday’s episode of NBL Now.

“The referees made the right call, it's over with. Go to the free throw line, move on.

“Playoff basketball [is about] hard fouls.

“Nick Rakocevic is a throwback to the good old days when you don't get anything easy.”

Lowery predicted a Phoenix sweep ahead of the teams' Playoff Series, and while the 36ers got the job done in Game 1, he isn't giving up on the Phoenix just yet.

“Bryce Cotton is an adjective, a verb, and a noun. He, from a verb point of view, he Bryce'd the Phoenix,” Lowery said.

“One guy can't guard the guy. He deserves a double team. I don't care if you put a tall guy on him. It doesn't matter to him. He is in assassin mode right now. So you need to send a double.

“[Despite that] I still think the Phoenix comes out of that Series. I think they go back to Melbourne and win, before going back to Adelaide and get it done.

"[In my eyes] they are the better team.”

Game 2 of the Playoff Series between the 36ers and Phoenix tips off at 5.30pm AEDT on Saturday at John Cain Arena, live on ESPN.