Match Preview: Sixers seeking to silence SEM in Semi

The Adelaide 36ers are home on Tuesday night for the first time in nearly a month to host the South East Melbourne Phoenix in game one of their NBL Semi-Final series.

It will be the first playoff game ever played at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre after the Sixers moved games to the venue in 2019.

The last time there was a finals game in Adelaide was back in March 2018 when the Sixers beat Melbourne United in game four of the Grand Final series. That game was held at the club’s former home, then named Titanium Securities Arena.

Mike Wells’ side has not played since the final of the Ignite Cup on February 22 and has not played at home since the win over New Zealand on February 14.

The Sixers have a strong record against the Phoenix at the AEC, winning three of the last four encounters at the venue, though Josh King’s side got the better of the battle when they last met there in late January.

The Sixers were without the suspended Nick Rakocevic that day and Isaac Humphries was put on ice with a sore knee in the second half as the Phoenix ran away after quarter time to win 97-77.

It meant that the sides have split their four encounters 2-2 in NBL26.

But NBL MVP Bryce Cotton says finals need to be treated like a new season and history means little come Tuesday night.

“It’s going to be interesting,” he smiled, suggesting he would not alter his preparation.

“Obviously we had two games where we beat them pretty good and they’ve had two games where they beat us pretty good.

“I don’t even know if there’s been a close game between us, but that’s what makes the playoffs fun.

“It’s another season but the premise is still the same and I feel like if you’re holding out til playoffs to take it up another level, then you’re probably doing something wrong.

“It’s going to be the same mental approach for me. I never treat any game more important than any other.”

The Phoenix are coming off a play-in win over Perth on Wednesday night and will come to Adelaide full of confidence despite alternating between losses and wins in their last four games.

There is an injury cloud over import Ian Clark, who scored 16 points off the bench on Wednesday night before coming off with a calf complaint.

They were the top scoring side in the regular season but also ranked in the bottom four for points against, showing they don’t mind a shootout.

The sides did meet in the NBL finals last season with the Phoenix coming from behind to end Adelaide’s championship hopes 85-75 in the play-in elimination game at John Cain Arena.

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

ADELAIDE 36ERS vs SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX
Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Tuesday 10 March, 7:00pm ACDT
Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports or Disney+

OVERALL
Played 26, Adelaide 13, South East Melbourne 13

At AEC
Played 12, Adelaide 8, South East Melbourne 4

LAST FIVE MATCHES
Jan 31, 2026 – Phoenix 97 def 36ers 77 at AEC
Jan 18, 2026 – Phoenix 108 def 36ers 89 at RAC Arena, Perth (HoopsFest)
Nov 22, 2025 – 36ers 94 def Phoenix 81 at John Cain Arena
Oct 16, 2025 – 36ers 88 def Phoenix 71 at AEC
Feb 16, 2025 – Phoenix 85 def 36ers 75 at John Cain Arena

KEY STATS

• Adelaide has won each of its last 16 games at Adelaide Entertainment Centre when playing with a rest advantage.
• Adelaide has won each of its last five games at Adelaide Entertainment Centre after trailing at quarter-time.
• Adelaide has lost the first half in each of its last five games at Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
• The home team has won each of South East Melbourne's last six finals games.
• South East Melbourne has won the first half in each of its last three games against Adelaide.
• Including finals, SE Melbourne ranks 1st in the league for points per game this season (101.0).