Match Preview: Second-placed Sixers to tackle SEM Phoenix

The Adelaide 36ers will be looking to head into next week’s FIBA break in winning form and with a fourth-straight win when they come up against the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Saturday night.

Adelaide travels to Melbourne having had an extra day of rest and a win will take the 36ers to equal top of the NBL ladder with Melbourne United, pushing them two games clear of the Phoenix in third.

The Phoenix are coming off a comfortable win on Thursday night against Brisbane in which there were five players scoring in double figures and strong contributions from the bench. Captain Jordan Hunter was most prolific with 24 points and nine rebounds.

The Sixers are currently 10-3 after 13 games. At the same time last season they were 6-7 before going on to play in the finals for the first time in seven years with a final record of 13-16 at the end of the regular season.

When the sides met last month, the Sixers got hold of the Phoenix with a strong first half with Isaac Humphries (21 points, 10 rebounds) and Bryce Cotton (28 points, four rebounds, six assists) doing most of the damage before the Sixers won by 17 points at home.

But Cotton says history would count for little on Saturday night.

“Every game is different,” he explained on SEN SA. “Even if you compare a team like Cairns. The first time we played them we beat them by like 25+ I think and then the last two times we’ve played them it’s gone down to the wire.

“So, just because you blow out a team or you got blown out by a team one night, doesn’t mean anything for the next time you play them.”

Given the closeness of the Sixers and Phoenix on the Hungry Jack’s NBL ladder, Cotton says there is a big importance on the result.

“It’s a huge game,” he said.

“It’s the last one before we all head into the FIBA break so we want to make sure we put our best foot forward.

“They’ve got three losses, just like we do, so it’s a double demerit game I guess if you want to call it that.”

Saturday night’s game gets underway at 7:30pm ACDT / 8:00pm AEDT. If you can’t get to Melbourne to support the side, every NBL game is live on ESPN through Kayo Sports or Disney+

ADELAIDE 36ERS vs SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX
John Cain Arens, Saturday 22 November, 7:30pm ACDT
Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports or Disney+

OVERALL
Played 23, Adelaide 12, South East Melbourne 11

At John Cain Arena
Played 11, Adelaide 3, South East Melbourne 8

LAST FIVE MATCHES
Oct 16, 2025 – 36ers 88 def Phoenix 71 at AEC
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

KEY STATS

·       Adelaide has lost each of its last nine games at John Cain Arena.

·       Adelaide holds an 8-0 record when Bryce Cotton scores 24+ points this season.

·       Bryce Cotton became just the second player in NBL history to record at least 31 points and 13 assists while committing no turnovers.

·       South East Melbourne has won four of its last five games against Adelaide at John Cain Arena after trailing at three-quarter-time.

·       SE Melbourne holds a 7-0 record when Owen Foxwell scores 10+ points this season.

·       South East Melbourne has won each of its last six games against Adelaide at John Cain Arena.

·       Isaac Humphries has a career average of 13.6 points per game against SE Melbourne - most against any opponent.

·       Zylan Cheatham ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for rebounds per game (10.3) this season.

·       Zylan Cheatham has recorded 8+ rebounds in 14 consecutive appearances - longest active streak of any player in the league.