Perth’s MVP talent put on notice

In every NBL season, each of the 10 teams goes through highs and lows during different parts of the 33-game campaign.

Right now, the Perth Wildcats are in the latter, having lost four of their past six games.

During that stretch, John Rillie's side are only shooting 43.3 per cent from the field and 68.8 per cent from the line, the second lowest mark in the league.

To make things more challenging for the 10 time champions, import David Duke Jr is set for a stint on the sidelines due to an elbow injury.

This absence has seen two time NBL champion Andrew Parkinson call on Wildcats stars Jo Lual-Acuil Jr and Kristian Doolittle, who are only averaging a combined 26.7 points per game during the club's past six games, to improve their performances.

"JLA has been quiet lately and needs to step up," Parkinson said on Thursday's episode of NBL Now.

"He needs to be more consistent [because we know how good he can be].

"[As does] Doolittle, because like Scott Roth said, he's got all the tools to be an MVP of this league, but isn't showing it on a consistent basis. He's not playing up the standard [we know he's capable of]."

Parkinson continued by saying how important Thursday's New Year's Day clash with the Bullets in Brisbane was for the Wildcats.

"They [Perth] are one of those unique teams who have a better away record than they do at home," Parkinson said.

"They've probably lost a few at home they'd like to have back, [which makes the Bullets clash all the more important].

"They're sitting in fifth on the ladder but need to start winning and winning now if they want to hold onto that spot, [if not move higher]."

Thursday's New Year's Day clash at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre tips off at 7.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.