36ers ready for ultimate test

Adelaide 36ers head coach Mike Wells says his side is prepared for the club’s biggest game in seven years in Sunday’s showdown against South East Melbourne Phoenix at John Cain Arena.

The 36ers won the club’s first playoff game in 2517 days last Thursday night in Sydney against the Kings and Wells says the Phoenix now present a new challenge.

“Tonne of respect for them and what they have done, they have turned it around, their players and their system,” Wells said.

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“We played down there about a week ago, this is an interesting game for us and on our journey.”

Adelaide will take confidence from a massive second half performance in the 105-99 loss to the Phoenix on February 2, where the 26ers rallied from a 23-point deficit to take an 88-83 in the final quarter.

“We haven’t won in Melbourne or in that arena this year, we have had a lot of things happen down there,” Wells said.

“We have embraced the hardness of the season, and hopefully we are ready for another test on Sunday.

“I think it’s the perfect game at the perfect time for our group.

“I’m excited that we’re going to be down there on Sunday at 2.30pm.”

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX vs ADELAIDE 36ERS
John Cain Arena, Sunday 2pm ACDT
Live on 10HD, ESPN via Kayo Sports

OVERALL
Played 21, Adelaide 11, South East Melbourne 10

LIKELY STARTERS
Phoenix: Nathan Sobey, Owen Foxwell, Joe Wieskamp, Matt Hurt, Jordan Hunter.
36ers: Kendric Davis, DJ Vasiljevic, Lat Mayen, Montrezl Harrell, Isaac Humphries.

LAST FIVE MATCHES
Feb 2, 2025 – Phoenix 105 def 36ers 99 at John Cain Arena
Dec 21, 2024 (Open Air) – Phoenix 106 def 36ers 86 at John Cain Arena
Oct 3, 2024 – 36ers 93 def Phoenix 83 at AEC
Jan 17, 2024 –36ers 110 def Phoenix 85 at State Basketball Centre
Nov 17, 2023 - 36ers 96 def Phoenix 93 at AEC

STATS THAT MATTER
- Adelaide holds a 9-1 record when allowing fewer than 90 points this season.
- The 36ers rank 2nd for field goal percentage this season (47.7%).
- DJ Vasiljevic ranks 6th amongst qualified players for FT% (87.0%) this season.
- Adelaide has used the same starting five in each of its last 12 games - longest streak in NBL.
- The 36ers have scored 80+ points in its past 18 games - longest streak since 2019-20.
- Adelaide ranks 2nd for true shooting percentage this season (58.4%).
- Kendric Davis has scored 20+ points in 12 consecutive appearances - longest streak in NBL.
- Montrezl Harrell has recorded 11 double-doubles this season.
- Isaac Humphries ranks 1st for total steals + blocks (69) this season.
- Montrezl Harrell had an equal-career-high seven assists in Thursday night’s victory.
- Kendric Davis ranks 2nd for points (25.6) and 1st for assists (7.9) per game this season.
- Isaac Humphries ranks 2nd for effective field goal percentage (61.5%) this season.
- Montrezl Harrell ranks 3rd for rebounds per game (9.1) this season.
- DJ Vasiljevic ranks 4th for three-pointers made per 36 minutes (3.6) this season.