Basketball: Adelaide 36ers dash defending champions Shanghai Sharks' title dreams in wire-to-wire Merlion Cup win

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SINGAPORE - Four time National Basketball League (NBL) champions Adelaide 36ers led wire-to-wire against the Shanghai Sharks, before lifting the Merlion Cup 2017 after a pulsating 101-81 win at the OCBC Arena.

Points in the paint was the story for Joey Wright's Australian outfit, as they outscored the Sharks 60 to 32 in the painted area, converting 60 per cent of their shots near the rim.

Mitchell Creek led the 36ers with 21 points and seven rebounds, with all five 36ers starters finishing in double-digit points.

The 36ers also benefited from 14 second chance and 16 fast-break points.

The Shark's game plan was clear as they fired 28 attempts from three-point territory, connecting on 11 tries.

The 2016 Merlion Cup winners were led by Nick Minnerath, who finished with 28 points and eight rebounds.

The former All-NBA (National Basketball League) D-League second team player also shot 5-10 from beyond the arc.

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