Match Preview: Second-placed Sixers looking to bounce back

The Adelaide 36ers have put the weekend’s disappointing showing behind them and are remaining positive ahead of Thursday night’s test against South East Melbourne.

The Sixers suffered their first loss of the season in a poor performance against Sydney at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre but will be back at the venue to take on the Phoenix.

It will be former 36er Nathan Sobey’s 300^th NBL game. He played 111 games in Sixers colours between 2015 and 2019.

Former Phoenix guard Matt Kenyon will also come up against his former side for the first time since crossing to Adelaide in the off-season.

To add extra spice to the contest, it will be the first time the sides meet since the Phoenix ended the 36ers’ season in the NBL25 finals.

“A lot of respect to (Sobey) and obviously 300 games in the leagues is a lot but we're trying to spoil that party, and obviously we knew what they did to us to knock us out last year, so we're going to start off strong against them,” said 36ers co-captain DJ Vasiljevic.

“We were up at half-time in that game (last season) and obviously we (capitulated) and it hurts.

“I don't know about others, but when you're up by 20, you really should be controlling the game and they were able to step on our throats in the third quarter and came back and win that game.

“(But) it's a new season, new faces, new kind of identity and culture of the team so obviously we're three and one right now trying to make it four and one and just keep pushing forward.”

Bryce Cotton was kept uncharacteristically quiet against the Kings, limited to just seven points. Cotton’s sides have lost 13 of 14 matches when he fails to score at least 15 points, and he will be eager to bounce back against the Phoenix.

The five-time NBL MVP says while the side learnt a lot from the Sydney game, there is a lot of positivity in the camp going forward.

“At the end of the day we tried to keep the energy very positive and understanding that regardless of what happened on Saturday, the facts are that we’re 3-1 and we’re sitting second on the ladder – let’s not play like it’s the end of the world,” he explained during his regular spot on SEN SA’s breakfast program.

“All we have to do is continue to be who we are.

“In theory, if you continue to win three games in a row and then drop one throughout the season, you’re looking at one hell of a record.”

Thursday night’s game gets underway at 7:00pm ACDT / 7:30pm AEDT with limited tickets still available.

ADELAIDE 36ERS vs SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 
Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Thursday 16 October, 7:00pm ACDT
Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports or Disney+

OVERALL
Played 22, Adelaide 11, South East Melbourne 11

At Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Played 10, Adelaide 7, South East Melbourne 3

LAST FIVE MATCHES
Feb 16, 2025 – Phoenix 85 def 36ers 75 at John Cain Arena
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

KEY STATS
Adelaide has lost each of its last 10 games after trailing at quarter-time.
The home team has won each of the last four games between Adelaide and South East Melbourne
Adelaide has won each of its last four games when scoring 80+ points.
Heading into Round 5, Adelaide ranks 1st in the league for field goal percentage this season (49.3%).
Heading into Round 5, Adelaide ranks 9th in the league for opponent field goal percentage this season (49.1%)
Dejan Vasiljevic has made each of his last 16 free-throw attempts.
Bryce Cotton's teams are now 1-13 in his last 14 games in which he's failed to score 15 points.
Only 17.9% of Adelaide's scoring this season has come from the bench - lowest mark in the league heading into Round 5.
Heading into Round 5, Adelaide ranks 2nd in the league for assists per game this season (21.5).
Zylan Cheatham has recorded 8+ rebounds in five consecutive appearances - longest active streak of any player in the league.
Heading into Round 5, Bryce Cotton ranks 1st amongst qualified players for three-pointers made per game (3.3) this season.
Flynn Cameron recorded a career-high seven assists in his last appearance.
Heading into Round 5, Bryce Cotton ranks 1st amongst qualified players for points per game (25.8) this season.
Heading into Round 5, Bryce Cotton ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for assists per game (6.3) this season.
Isaac Humphries has a career average of 13.1 points per game against SE Melbourne - most against any opponent.
Bryce Cotton has a career average of 5.8 assists per game against SE Melbourne - most against any opponent.