Ninnis: 'We can turn this around pretty quickly'

Adelaide 36ers head coach Scott Ninnis says his side can quickly rebound from back-to-back defeats starting Saturday night against Melbourne United at the Entertainment Centre.

In the club’s special anniversary game celebrating the 25-year anniversary of the 1998/99 NBL championship win, Ninnis said victory against the NBL24 league leaders is right way to kickstart the campaign.

“United is the only thing we are focusing on right now, I expect to win, we have got a good game plan to play against them,” Ninnis said.

“We know they are super-talented, but I think we have the right pieces of the puzzle and do something pretty special.

“We can turn this thing around pretty quickly, we are not where we need to be and we got to turn it around starting Saturday night.”

Some of the 1998/99 championship side have been at training this week, including superstar import point guard Darnell Mee, swingman Rupert Sapwell and centre David Stiff.

“It brings back great memories and to see some of the guys already, Darnell (Mee), Rupert (Sapwell) and Stiffy (David Stiff) is really exciting,” Ninnis said.

“This brings back some of my happiest moments in basketball so it’s great to get those guys to attend on Saturday night.”

Adelaide has had some issues in the third quarter in recent defeats to Perth Wildcats at home and Illawarra Hawks on New Year’s Eve, and Ninnis is under no illusions that changes have to be made.

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• Mee happy to be 'home' in Adelaide
• Club legends thrilled with '99 jersey

“We will look at some different line-ups, but it’s a mindset, when things aren’t going well we need to steel ourselves and come together and show improvement in those areas,” Ninnis said.

“We got to make sure that when those momentum shifts happen in games, we recognize it and get on top of it quickly.

“We know this is the team we have and the coaching staff we have until the end of the season, and I think we have done a great job of coming together, we just need to find the right way to get the results.”

Adelaide will battle Melbourne United from 7.30pm at the Entertainment Centre on Saturday night, catch all the action live and exclusive on ESPN via Kayo Sports.