Match wrap: Sixers beat United to return to top spot

The Adelaide 36ers have returned to the top of the NBL after spoiling Melbourne United's homecoming to John Cain Arena with an 87-76 Saturday night win.

Following a tough run of form compounded by a one-point loss in Wollongong to the Illawarra Hawks on Thursday, the Sixers responded in the best possible way.

They were in control of the contest for most of the evening in Melbourne's first game back at John Cain Arena since December 23 and despite United making a late charge, the 36ers held them out for the 11-point win to return to top spot at 22-9.

Not only did Melbourne lose to remain in fifth place at 18-12 behind the Perth Wildcats (19-11), captain Chris Goulding did hurt a knee in the second half despite being able to return in the dying stages when United needing his shooting threat out there.

Adelaide came into the game having lost five of their past seven to have dropped from top spot, but they are back in first place at least for now with Nick Rakocevic leading the charge with 20 points and 12 rebounds on 8/9 field goal shooting and 2/2 from downtown.

Zylan Cheatham had a big influence once more with 19 points, nine rebounds and three assists while Bryce Cotton was made to work by Tyson Walker and Shea Ili for his 17 points and six assists on 6/16 shooting.

Isaac Humphries added 13 points, four rebounds and two blocks, and Flynn Cameron 13 points and eight assists.

Despite hurting his knee, Goulding top-scored for United with 18 points with 4/10 three-point shooting with Milton Doyle adding 17 points, three rebounds and three assists, and Walker 16 points, four assists and three rebounds.

Cotton started brightly, posting 10 first-quarter points to put Adelaide up 29-23 at the opening break.

Goulding and Jesse Edwards (five points, eight rebounds) combined for a 13-2 burst in the second term to briefly put United in front, before Rakocevic's three-pointer and put back dunk put the 36ers back ahead at the main break, 41-39.

Cotton, held scoreless in the quarter, came off after jarring his lower back just before half-time before returning for the third term seemingly unimpeded.

The Sixers won the quarter 26-14, thanks chiefly to an inspired Rakocevic.

The import centre had two blocks for the term, buried his second triple, then finished it with a three-point play to stretch Adelaide's lead to 67-53 at three-quarter-time.

Rakocevic started the fourth period with a tip-in to boost the margin to 18 points, before Melbourne surged.

Still down by 13 with just over four minutes left, Doyle and Walker drained a string of treys in a 12-2 United run to slash the gap to 77-74 with 1:46 remaining.

It was as close as the home side got, the 36ers holding their nerve to score 10 of the last 12 points.

Melbourne still have three games in their season remaining starting on Thursday in Cairns before two home matches opposed to the Illawarra Hawks and South East Melbourne Phoenix.

The 36ers have just two games left at home next Saturday to the New Zealand Breakers and then away to the Perth Wildcats the following Friday.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2025/26 – ROUND 20

MELBOURNE UNITED 76 (Goulding 18, Doyle 17, Walker 16)

ADELAIDE 36ERS 87 (Rakocevic 20, Cheatham 19, Cotton 17)

BOX SCORE