Match Preview: Sixers head to the Sunshine State for Sunday hoops

The Adelaide 36ers will be looking for a fifth straight win on Sunday when they head to Brisbane to face the Bullets.

The last time the sides met in December it was the Sixers’ who won comfortably in Adelaide, their second win against the Brisbane outfit for the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 season.

Prior to this season the Sixers had suffered four straight losses to the Bullets as part of a run of six losses in seven games.

And the Bullets have a strong home record against the Sixers, winning in each of the last seven home games between the sides. 

Things are very different now with the Sixers top of the ladder with a 18-4 record and four straight wins, and the Bullets struggling slightly with just six wins in their 23 games.

The Bullets have struggled all season with injuries and look unlikely to have Tyrell Harrison (head knock) and Javon Freeman-Liberty (hamstring) when the sides meet at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

Harrison is the only Brisbane player to have started every game this season and the stats show that when he scores fewer than 15 points, the Bullets have lost their last 11 games.

Freeman-Liberty and Harrison missing out adds to a growing injury list that already includes long-term absentees Casey Prather, Dakota Mathias and Lamar Patterson.

But in good news for interim head coach Darryl McDonald, new import signing Hunter Maldonado could be available to suit up if his visa paperwork goes through.

It is a tight turnaround for the Sixers, who beat Sydney in Adelaide on Friday night and will play less than 48 hours later.

Head Coach Mike Wells says it matters little, and his group would recover and refocus to guard against any complacency against the wounded Bullets.

“You play the schedule,” Wells said.

“I mean it's one of 33 (games) and (Friday night) was a really, really good, important regular season game but the next one has the exact same weight.

“It counts as one game and once you get into the playoffs, you can play every other day and things like that so you’ve got to play and you’ve got to get on the plane and go play.

“It's part of being a professional so we'll get our recovery, we'll try to get regenerated a little bit and try to play Adelaide 36ers basketball on Sunday.”

The game tips off at 4:00pm ACDT / 3:30pm AEST. If you can’t get there, watch it live on ESPN via Kayo or Disney+ or on 10 Drama.

ADELAIDE 36ERS vs BRISBANE BULLETS
Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Sunday 4 January, 4:00pm ACDT
Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports or Disney+ or 10 Drama

OVERALL
Played 103, Adelaide 53, Brisbane 50

At Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Played 15, Adelaide 7, Brisbane 8

LAST FIVE MATCHES
Dec 5, 2025 – 36ers 90 def Bullets 65 at AEC
Sept 21, 2025 – 36ers 87 def Bullets 80 at AEC
Jan 31, 2025 – Bullets 92 def 36ers 89 at AEC
Dec 24, 2024 – Bullets 111 def 36ers 90 at AEC
Dec 6, 2024 – Bullets 102 def 36ers 83 at Brisbane Entertainment Centre

KEY STATS

• Adelaide has won each of its last six games after trailing at half-time.
• Adelaide has won each of its last 10 games when allowing fewer than 90 points.
• In each of Adelaide's last eight Sunday games, the team trailing at three-quarter-time has won the fourth quarter.
• Adelaide has won each of its last 11 games with Nick Rakocevic in the lineup.
• Adelaide has won 11 of its last 12 games.
• Brisbane has lost each of its last 11 games when Tyrell Harrison scores fewer than 15 points.
• Brisbane has won each of its last seven home games against Adelaide.
• Brisbane has lost 10 of its last 11 games.
• Dejan Vasiljevic is the only qualified player to have made a three in every game this season. He has also hit at least one three-pointer in 41 consecutive appearances - longest active streak of any player in the league.