Match Preview: Sunday in Sydney as Sixers seek Series advantage

After levelling the NBL Championship Series at home on Friday night, the Adelaide 36ers are back in Sydney, hoping to back up their performance and go ahead in the series.

Bryce Cotton’s last second heroics saw the Sixers draw level with the Kings at one-all for the series and end the Kings’ run of 14 straight wins.

Despite putting on a poor showing in their last trip to Qudos Bank Arena, the Sixers will be buoyed by a strong record at the venue with 13 wins from 22 visits.

History suggests a Sixers win would be against the odds. The home side has come out ahead in each of Adelaide’s last 14 Championship Series games and the Kings have won their last eight straight games at Qudos.

After being well guarded by the Kings all season, Cotton found a way to break the game open in the last quarter on Friday night with 15 points including the match winner in the dying stages.

There was added spice with the man who came runner up to Cotton in the MVP race in the last two seasons, Kendrick Davis, chasing Cotton down to get in his face in a fiery altercation that will set the scene for Sunday’s encounter.

Cotton says he is not bothered by the incident.

“It's playoff basketball,” he said after the game, “Tempers flare as part of playoff basketball.

“It is what it is.

“You know, I grew up playing at the parks where things get feisty like that so, you know, that's just another day back in America.

“(Media) may make a big deal out of it, but it’s just another day.”

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

If you can’t be there to watch in person, you can catch it live on ESPN via Kayo or Disney+, or on free-to-air television on Channel 10.

DNEY KINGS vs ADELAIDE 36ERS
Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, Sunday 29 March, 2:00pm ACDT / 2:30pm AEDT
Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports or Disney+ or Channel 10

OVERALL
Played 118, Adelaide 66, Sydney 52

At Qudos Bank Arena
Played 22, Adelaide 13, Sydney 9

LAST FIVE MATCHES
Mar 27, 2026 – 36ers 91 def Kings 89 at AEC
Mar 21, 2026 – Kings 112 def 36ers 68 at Qudos Bank Arena
Jan 25, 2026 – Kings 106 def 36ers 101 at Qudos Bank Arena
Jan 2, 2026 – 36ers 85 def Kings 79 at AEC
Dec 17, 2025 – Kings 97 def 36ers 93 at AIS Arena, Canberra

KEY STATS

·       The home team has won each of Adelaide's last 14 Championship Series games.

·       Adelaide has won the second half in 10 of its last 11 away games after trailing at half-time.

·       Isaac Humphries' six blocks in Game 2 tied the most blocks by any player in a final since Larry Davidson in 2010.

·       Bryce Cotton has recorded 4+ assists in 34 consecutive appearances - longest active streak of any player in the league.

·       Sydney has won each of its last seven games after trailing at quarter-time.

·       Sydney has won the second half in each of its last eight games at Qudos Bank Arena after trailing at half-time.

·       Sydney has won each of its last eight home games.

·       Sydney has won the first quarter in each of its last four games against Adelaide.