"MVP race is over": Wells declares Cotton untouchable

AAP.

Adelaide 36ers coach Mike Wells has declared the NBL's MVP race is over after legendary guard Bryce Cotton spearheaded a remarkable comeback win over New Zealand.

The Sixers faced double-figure deficits in all four quarters at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Saturday and were down by 14 points early in the final period.

But Cotton put his team on his back as he peeled off a game-high 42 points in a 92-89 victory that confirmed Adelaide's top-three seeding for the finals.

The American-born guard has been locked in a two-way battle for MVP honours with Sydney's Kendric Davis this season, but Wells insists Cotton is destined for a sixth Andrew Gaze Trophy.

"If it's not over tonight, then tell me what the definition (of MVP) is," Wells said.

"He played 40 minutes, scored 42 points, guarded the other team's best player - did everything.

"Most Valuable Player to his team. This thing is over.

"If you're not voting for Bryce Cotton, who's been the best player in this league since the day he got here, I want to know why.

"I want to see the votes. It's not even close. The MVP race is over today."

''It's not even close. The MVP race is over, today.''

Cotton could only laugh when asked to respond to Wells' assessment of the MVP race.

"I'm not going to say he's wrong," Cotton said.

Cotton and Sydney star Davis have both had incredible seasons, alongside the likes of Perth's Kristian Doolittle and South East Melbourne Phoenix's Nathan Sobey.

The 33-year-old is in the mix to claim his sixth Most Valuable Player Award.