'Perth will be knocked out in Play-In': Expert's damning appraisal

After a strong start to the Hungry Jack's NBL26 season, the Perth Wildcats have lost their mojo in recent weeks and are now just hanging on to a spot in the top six.

Since the end of November, John Rillie's side have gone 3-5, largely due to their inconsistent offence, highlighted by them being third last in points per game (88.6) and assists per game (17.1) and in the competition's bottom four in pace, from Round 10-14.

Another factor to that has been the play of star big man Jo Lual Acuil Jr.

During the past five rounds, the South Sudanese international is averaging just 14.6 points a game, while only hitting 25 per cent of his shots from downtown and 51.6 per cent from the free throw line, which are all well below his season marks.

During Monday's episode of Moments That Mattered, presented by Mitsubishi Motors, 1990 NBL MVP Derek Rucker called for a greater impact from the marquee man.

"To be a dominant big, structure matters," Rucker said on Monday's episode of Moments That Mattered, presented by Mitsubishi Motors.

"They haven't had a consistent point guard, and JLA is still developing. Big men usually peak late.

"He’s still talented and will have impact, but yesterday's performance will disappoint him.

"He wasn’t a major factor, and right now, isn't being influential game-to-game for Perth.

"Big contracts [like Jo Lual Acuil Jr's] mean scrutiny. When people know you're making seven figures, they expect double-doubles.

"Perth is now 11-10, which isn't good enough given their talent. They shouldn’t be hovering in the Play-In range."

Lual Acuil Jr isn't the only concern for Perth, bracing to be without David Duke Jr after the import injured himself in Sunday's loss to Adelaide.

"The numbers say they [Perth] are average on both ends," Rucker said.

"I’m not sure who their go to guy is. [Kristian] Doolittle steps up occasionally, but not consistently.

"Point guard play is an issue and Duke’s injury didn’t look good.

"Whether Perth hosts or travels for a Play-In game, I have them losing. They haven’t built momentum at any point this season."

The Wildcats will look to return to the winners' circle on Thursday when they travel to Brisbane to face the Bullets from 7.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.