NBL Cup Preview v Melbourne United

The Adelaide 36ers produced a terrific performance to beat one home team during the NBL Cup and now have the chance to back it up two days later on Thursday night against Melbourne United.

The NBL Cup is taking place in Melbourne providing the chance for both the South East Melbourne Phoenix and Melbourne United to enjoy the comforts of home, which made for virtually a road game for the 36ers on Tuesday and now again on Thursday night.

But the Sixers handled that well back on Tuesday bouncing back from a disappointing last up loss at home to the Brisbane Bullets and then in the opening NBL Cup contest against the Sydney Kings to deliver a terrific performance against the Phoenix who came into the game in hot form. 

The 36ers recorded the 99-94 with plenty to like about the performance to leave them with a 6-5 record on the overall NBL season, and to be 1-1 after two games of the NBL Cup. 

With the points system in operation during the tournament within a season, the 36ers have claimed 6.5 points from the two games against Sydney and South East Melbourne with seven points available each game.

Now the 36ers look to back up on Thursday against Melbourne United again at John Cain Arena. The game begins at 7pm Adelaide time with both teams having split their opening two appearances in the NBL Cup.

Sixers fire and then hold off Phoenix

Sixers fall to Kings in opening NBL Cup appearance 

DJ's Corner – Player Column Volume 5 

Adelaide and Melbourne have played one another once already this season back on the opening night at Adelaide Entertainment Centre. After a decent enough first half, the 36ers struggled in the second with United taking out the 89-65 victory.

Daniel Johnson was terrific on that night with 27 points and five rebounds for Adelaide while Jo Lual-Acuil, Yudai Baba, Jock Landale, Chris Goulding and Shea Ili all scored in double figures for Melbourne.

But plenty of water has gone under the bridge since then and there was a lot to like in what the 36ers produced on Tuesday night to beat the Phoenix during the NBL Cup.

Not only was the big man pair of Daniel Johnson (27 points, 11 rebounds) and Isaac Humphries (24 points, 11 rebounds) dominant presences, Josh Giddey added 15 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds, Tony Crocker 12 points, Sunday Dech eight points and five boards, and Jack McVeigh seven points.

There hasn’t been too much time for anything but to recover and regroup after that win on Tuesday to now get ready for Melbourne United on Thursday night.

Melbourne bounced back from its first loss of the season back on Saturday against the Perth Wildcats to open the NBL Cup by beating the Cairns Taipans having come from behind to do so for the 88-81 victory.

Looking back on the win over the Phoenix, 36ers coach Conner Henry knows there are still areas that can be improved on, but for the most part he was delighted with the bounce back performance after a couple of tough losses.

"We turned the ball over only 10 times and a few of those were times where we need to continue to get better at managing the game, and we're working with Josh in those scenarios," Henry said.

"Sunday has to be better in that situation as well but it's a group thing. We've had moments this season where we have had leads but we decide to go it alone instead of getting it through hands and making our opponents guard us. 

"We're still learning, this young group but I'm really pleased with the way we bounced back."

While the 36ers are still searching for the consistency they'd like, Henry liked what he saw against South East Melbourne and is looking forward to a repeat performance against Melbourne on Thursday night.

"We're a young group in a new system and sometimes we have bad days at the office probably like everyone. But we are growing and sometimes we've looked really special and put together 40 minutes, and a couple of overtime victories," Henry said. 

"This was a game where we were really focused and loose as a group, and ready to go. We did a lot better job at executing on the offensive end and we were a lot tougher and more physical on the defensive end especially late when we needed stops. It was a very good effort."

2020/21 Hungry Jack's NBL Season – Round 7
NBL Cup Week 2

Adelaide 36ers v Melbourne United
John Cain Arena, Thursday 7.00pm ACDT

Broadcast – ESPN, SBS on Demand, NBL TV, Twitch