Match Preview: Regrouped, finetuned Sixers ready for battle with Breakers

The Adelaide 36ers have headed to Auckland to take on New Zealand, knowing they’re a better outfit than the last time the sides met.

The Breakers are coming off consecutive losses to Tasmania and Cairns but will be buoyed by their return home after five straight road games, dating back to the last time they played the Sixers in Adelaide earlier this month.

In that game, the Breakers came to Adelaide and won 88-72 with Parker Jackson-Cartwright helping his side pull away a 28-15 last quarter. PJC fell just short of a triple double, finishing with 27 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.

Nick Rakocevic was Adelaide’s best that game with 29 points, 16 rebounds and three assists.

That result ended a run of five straight wins against New Zealand for Adelaide, and the Sixers will travel to Auckland knowing the Breakers have won their last four games played at home.

But Spark Arena won’t hold any fears for the Sixers, who won there the last time they played at the venue, back in January in a 112-110 win.

There’s a good chance given this is Adelaide’s fourth straight road trip and the Breakers are home after five consecutive trips that some fatigue sets in, but a win in Auckland would be huge in the eyes of Adelaide 36ers Head Coach Trevor Gleeson.

“Through this period here, we've had four games on the road. This will be the fourth,” he explained on Adelaide radio FIVEaa.

“Right now, we're 2-1. So, if we come back from this road period with a 3-1 record, I think that's elite, and then we've got to tidy some stuff up and get some victories back home.”

Gleeson was firm after last week’s loss to the Phoenix in needing more players to step up and support star guard Bryce Cotton.

When asked how his players had taken that remark, he was forthright in his response.

“I don't think it's a stinging comment. It's a fact,” he said.

“We had some players down and we had some players come on and make some mental errors and against the team that you chase and you can't just do mental errors. It costs you points.

“And yes, we do need some help without a question.

“I think we've regrouped this week and a couple of more different roles and what we need from players and just been fine tuning.

“Hopefully we've addressed that and we get a chance to put that on the court this weekend.”

Friday’s game will be Sixers captain Bryce Cotton’s 50th for the club. It gets underway at 5:00pm ACDT.

If you can’t be at the venue, you can watch it live on ESPN via Kayo or Disney+.

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS vs ADELAIDE 36ERS

Spark Arena, Friday, 30 October, 5:00pm ACDT

Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports or Disney+

OVERALL

Played 85, Adelaide 40, New Zealand 45

At Spark Arena

Played 11, Adelaide 8, New Zealand 3

LAST FIVE MATCHES

Oct 4, 2026 – Breakers 88 def 72 36ers at AEC

*February 22, 2026 – Breakers 111 def 107 36ers at Gold Coast Convention Centre (*Ignite Cup Final)

February 14, 2026 – 36ers 92 def Breakers 89 at AEC

Jan 23, 2026 – 36ers 112 def Breakers 110 at Spark Arena, Auckland

Nov 6, 2025 – 36ers 83 def Breakers 79 at Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch

Jan 26, 2025 – 36ers 94 def Breakers 78 at AEC

KEY STATS

• Adelaide has won the second half in 14 of its last 15 away games after trailing at half-time.

• Adelaide has won five of its last six games against New Zealand.

• Heading into Round 7, Adelaide ranks 10th in the league for pace this season (76.0).

• Adelaide is 7-2 in its last nine games decided by a margin of seven points or less.

• Heading into Round 7, Adelaide ranks 1st in the league for assists per game this season (21.6).

• Nick Rakocevic has recorded 8+ rebounds in 10 consecutive appearances - longest active streak of any player in the league.

• Nick Rakocevic recorded a career-high 17 rebounds in his last appearance.

• Matt Kenyon has played the most minutes without a turnover (132:29) of any player in the league this season.

• Bryce Cotton - 50th game for Adelaide

• New Zealand has lost each of its last 15 games when Sam Mennenga scores fewer than 10 points.

• New Zealand has lost 20 of its last 21 games after trailing at half-time.

• New Zealand has won each of its last four home games.

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