36ers ready to rebound against United

Adelaide will be keen to bounce back from an opening night defeat when the 36ers host Melbourne United at the Entertainment Centre on Sunday afternoon.

Head coach CJ Bruton said his side can’t wait to get back out onto Brett Maher Court and play in front of the loyal home members, supporters and fans.

“Our season has started, it’s not about dropping your heads, we must bounce back, we got to get on a flight, no one cares we got here late, you just move on,” Bruton said after the 36ers’ 86-71 loss to the Bullets in Brisbane on Friday night.

“We have to make sure we are prepared the best to play Melbourne United at home in front of our home fans, which is exciting.”

Melbourne will be looking for back-to-back wins to start their NBL24 campaign after an 82-67 success against crosstown rival South East Melbourne Phoenix on Thursday night.

United coach Dean Vickerman knows his side will face a tough test against the 36ers in front of another big home crowd.

“Adelaide has a few guys back which didn’t play in the Blitz, we are not going to take too much from the Blitz,” Vickerman said.

Vickerman added former 36ers guard and Sydney Kings NBL championship winner Ian Clark won’t face his former team after missing the season opener with a hamstring injury.

“We said fitness test, and the way it’s looking, it’s a bit unlikely though,” Vickerman said post-game on Thursday night.