Match preview: Ignite Cup points on the line as Sixers host United

The Adelaide 36ers will be looking to get back to winning ways when they face Melbourne United in an Ignite Cup presented by 7 Eleven game on Wednesday night.

It will be the second straight home game for the Sixers and their first in the Ignite Cup, having made the final of the competition last season.

Coming off losses to Illawarra on Friday night and New Zealand on Sunday evening, the Sixers need a response in front of the Adelaide Entertainment Centre crowd, especially given they next have four road games in-a-row.

The game will be the first opportunity for the Sixers to claim Ignite Cup points with points given out for the side that wins each quarter as well as the game, and a $550k prize bounty on offer.

After five straight losses to United at John Cain Arena, the Sixers have won the last two meetings between the sides, both at that venue.

That included the Hungry Jack’s NBL27 season opener just a couple of weeks ago.

On that occasion an injury depleted Sixers outfit, which saw Flynn Cameron go down with an ankle injury mid-game and Nick Rakocevic foul out, held on to win 97-95 despite United having three opportunities to win it late.

Bryce Cotton was Adelaide’s best on that occasion with 29 points and seven assists while United recruit Cole Anthony chimed in with 30 points on his NBL debut.

Melbourne will come to Adelaide without any fear of the parochial crowd. United has won five of its ten visits to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, though the home side has won seven of the last nine games between the sides.

Adelaide 36ers Head Coach Trevor Gleeson said his side would spend time in the gym getting plenty of shots up after going at around 21 per-cent from three-point range over the last two games.

And he has called for more aggression and energy.

“I know that there's some injury replacement guys and DPs (in the side at the moment), but we’ve got to get energy from them,” Gleeson said.

“That means hustle, deflections, offensive glass, we’ve got to get that.

“We're in a bit of a grind at the moment. We're facing adversity.

"Now we've got to respond and we can't sit back on our heels. We’ve got to be aggressive.”

It is a quirk of the fixture that the teams meet twice in the first four rounds and three times in the first nine among their four meetings during the regular season.

Wednesday night’s game gets underway at 7:00pm ACDT.

You can watch it live on ESPN via Kayo Sports or Disney+ or get your hands on the last remaining tickets at Ticketek.

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ADELAIDE 36ERS vs MELBOURNE UNITED

Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Wednesday, 7 October, 7:00pm ACDT

Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports or Disney+

OVERALL

Played 48, Adelaide 17, Melbourne 31
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At Adelaide Entertainment Centre

Played 10, Adelaide 5, Melbourne 5

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LAST FIVE MATCHES

Sept 19, 2026 – 36ers 97 def United 95 at John Cain Arena

Feb 7, 2026 – 36ers 87 def United 76 at John Cain Arena

Dec 12, 2025 – 36ers 114 def United 105 at AEC

Oct 26, 2025 – United 81 def 36ers 80 at John Cain Arena

Jan 4, 2025 – 36ers 100 def United 81 at AEC

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