36ers are ready for NBL24 ladder leaders

Adelaide 36ers will welcome Melbourne United to the Entertainment Centre on Saturday night after the NBL24 ladder leaders bounced back from a New Year’s Eve defeat in Far North Queensland.

Melbourne United dominated the Kings 101-85 in Sydney on Thursday night with a huge second half performance.

United outscored Sydney 35-19 in the third quarter and had six players in double figures points and increased their away record to 7-1 this season.

“We got a deep team and we got to keep waring teams down by applying a lot of pressure,” point guard Matthew Dellavedova said after Thursday night’s win.

“I think we really locked in during that third quarter, got some stops, Tanner (Krebs) was big knocking down some threes, KB (Kyle Bowen) on the board and Shea Ili got in the paint scoring, a lot of contributors.”

THE KEY
As much as Melbourne put a lot of points on the board through multiple offensive weapons, it’s United’s defence which have been the real key this season.

Led by New Zealand international star guard Shea Ili, United have several tough defenders, including NBA champion Dellavedova, and head coach Dean Vickerman prides himself on team defence.

With Adelaide sharpshooting guards DJ Vasiljevic and Trey Kell doing the bulk of the scoring for the 36ers, expect Ili and Dellavedova to spend most of the night on the 36ers double act in the backcourt.

The 36ers scored 96 points against United a fortnight ago and must continue to tick the scoreboard over to keep the pressure on United, Adelaide can’t afford to have offensive dry spells.

THE SECRET
With superstars spread across the roster, United has been getting great impact from rookie power forward Kyle Bowen.

Bowen was put into the starting line-up on Thursday night with Luke Travers (ankle) missing the win over the Kings in Sydney.

The former St Mary’s product has been holding his own during his debut NBL season, and has had a career-high 16 rebounds in one game and can connect from the perimeter.

Tanner Krebs also was huge for United in Melbourne’s win against Adelaide in December, hitting three consecutive three-pointers just before half time which played a huge impact on the 107-96 result.

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DEPTH CHART
PG: Dellavedova / Ili / Blogg
SG: Clark / Cameron / Triplett
SF: Goulding / Krebs / Machar
PF: Travers / Bowen / Newley
C: Lual-Acuil Jr / Hukporti

FINAL WORD
Melbourne United come to Adelaide back in form after a statement victory in Sydney against the Kings.

Adelaide has caused United several issues in both games this season and had chances to win both matches.

The 36ers will be looking for Isaac Humphries to continue his stellar form inside the paint, but the 2018 NBL Rookie of the Year will have to contend with United’s double act of Jo Lual-Acuil Jnr and Ariel Hukporti.

Former Adelaide 36er Ian Clark returns to Brett Maher Court for the first time after the NBA and NBL champion missed the opening round clash due to a hamstring injury and expect Travers to play on Saturday night after missing the Kings game as a precaution, with another match-up on Jacob Wiley looming.

The time is well and truly now for the 36ers to kickstart their NBL24 campaign, and there would be no better way than to celebrate anniversary night with victory against Melbourne.

Adelaide will battle Melbourne United from 7.30pm at the Entertainment Centre on Saturday night, catch all the action live and exclusive on ESPN via Kayo Sports.