Match Preview: Sixers ready for “big, meaningful, impactful” Melbourne clash

It will be a top of the table clash when the Adelaide 36ers travel across the border to face Melbourne United on Sunday.

United remains the only unbeaten side in the Hungry Jack’s NBL while the Sixers have only dropped one of their six games.

After a tricky trip to Cairns for a second win over the Taipans in just over a fortnight, and four games in nine days, Adelaide was able to have a week between games to recover and reset.

United moved to 8-0 after a 94-67 win in Cairns on Friday night, having won their opening eight games by an average of 19.6 points.

But Sunday’s clash with the 5-1 36ers will be their biggest challenge yet coming off the back of a return flight from Cairns and less than two days of rest.

John Cain Arena has not been a happy hunting ground for the Sixers. Of their 21 visits to the venue, they’ve won there just three times.

But Head Coach Mike Wells says his side is embracing the trip, hoping to make the most of the big-game experience.

“For this group to play in big, meaningful, impactful games early in the year is probably a really good step for us, because it is such a new group,” he said before departing Adelaide.

“I want to see us play under pressure. I want to see us playing against the best teams. I want to see us play on the road in a hostile environment, because they're all firsts for us.

“It was the first time that we had a little adversity against Sydney, and our response since that game has been very, very good so now let's go on the road against a really quality opponent, and we'll take the results good or bad and move on from it.

“I think players like to play against good teams and good players, right? I mean, we all like to kind of line it up and see where we're at, and we're just excited for the opportunity.”

United coach Dean Vickerman had the luxury of being able to rotate all 12 players on Friday night with all 12 scoring and 10 playing at least 16 minutes.

But he is still without the injured Shea Ili who would usually guard Sixers star Bryce Cotton. In his absence, Melbourne is expected to turn to Tyson Walker and Dash Daniels to try and restrict the five-time NBL MVP.

Cotton described his admiration for what the Melbourne side has been able to do, particularly when missing key players like Chris Goulding and Ili.

“They’re a great team,” Cotton said.

“I think it’s pretty incredible what they’ve done so far in the first seven games of the season, considering Goulding had missed probably four or five of those games, and then Shea has been out now.

“But they still haven’t really missed a beat.

“It shows their ability to adapt with whoever is in or out of the line-up.”

Goulding has returned to the side in recent weeks and is averaging 18.8 points across his four games so far – the highest he’s averaged in his more than ten seasons with Melbourne United.

Sunday’s game gets underway at 2:00pm ACDT / 2:30pm AEDT.

MELBOURNE UNITED vs ADELAIDE 36ERS
John Cain Arena, Sunday 26 October, 2:00pm ACDT
Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports or Disney+ and free on 10

OVERALL
Played 44, Adelaide 14, Melbourne 30

At John Cain Arena
Played 21, Adelaide 3, Melbourne 18

LAST FIVE MATCHES
Jan 4, 2025 – 36ers 100 def United 81 at AEC
Nov 17, 2024 – United 113 def 36ers 93 at John Cain Arena
Oct 13, 2024 – United 106 def 36ers 79 at John Cain Arena
Jan 6, 2024 – 36ers 100 def United 96 at AEC
Dec 16, 2023 – United 107 def 36ers 96 at John Cain Arena

KEY STATS

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

·       Adelaide has won the first quarter in each of its last five away games.

·       Adelaide has won each of its last four games when playing with a rest advantage.

·       Melbourne has won each of its last 14 games against Adelaide after leading at half-time.

·       Melbourne has won nine of its last 10 home games against Adelaide.

·       Heading into Round 6, Adelaide ranks 2nd in the league for field goal percentage this season (47.3%).

·       Heading into Round 6, Isaac Humphries ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for FG% (68.9%) this season.

·       Heading into Round 6, Adelaide ranks 9th in the league for pace this season (77.8).

·       Bryce Cotton scored a franchise record 53 points in his last appearance.

·       Cotton created (scored or assisted on) 65 of Adelaide's 91 points against Cairns.

·       Flynn Cameron is playing his first game against his former team.

·       Bryce Cotton's teams have won in each of his last eight games when he's gone 100% from the free-throw line.