The win, which sees the 36ers move into the top-four with a 2-1 record, were led by a double-double by Daniel Johnson, who finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds.

"Heading into this game, we talked about controlling the tempo and applying pressure on defence, as we did against Brisbane," Wright said.

"I was really happy with our performance in those two areas - which we will look to build on next game against Cairns."

Wright's side blocked seven shots to one, as well as creating three steals - highlighting their pressure on that end of the floor.

"Our defence allows us to play the way we want to, which is pushing the pace, getting on the rim and drawing fouls," he said.

"I thought we did a really good job of balancing an inside presence on offence with our outside shooting - which is key to our system."

Wright's side got to the line 40 times, making 31 of those attempts, compared to just 16/21 from the hosts - who were also just 8/30 from deep.

"We know Joey Wright coached teams like to get up and down the floor and, especially in that first quarter, we weren't good enough - we leaked too many points," Hawks coach Matt Flinn said.

"At the end of the day, we didn't execute the way we needed to, against a very good team."

The shining light for Flinn's side, who now drop to 1-4 on the season, was 645-game NBA veteran Aaron Brooks, who scored a game-high 31 points, to go along with five rebounds and three assists.

"Apart from that Perth loss, we've been in every game but unfortunately, we haven't been able to turn them into wins," Flinn said.

"We are in a business that's measured on wins and losses - it's on all of us to turn this around.

"It's going to be hard to catch up but the beauty of this league is we get another chance to bounce back on Thursday against New Zealand."

In the six-point loss, US sensation LaMelo Ball contributed 15 points, seven assists and five rebounds, while Sam Froling added 12 points and five rebounds for the Hawks.

Adelaide host Cairns on Thursday, while the Hawks face the Breakers in New Zealand on Thursday.

Australian Associated Press