Ninnis: 'We need to make a few minor adjustments'

Adelaide 36ers head coach Scott Ninnis said his side will be looking to only make a few minor adjustments when his side battles against NBL24 league leaders Melbourne United at John Cain Arena on Saturday night.

United defeated Adelaide 82-74 on the opening weekend of the NBL24 season and Ninnis said his side will take a similar game plan into Saturday night’s fixture.

“I thought our game plan was fantastic against them, they only scored 82 points, so if you can say you’re going to hold out Melbourne United to 82 points you’d probably take it,” Ninnis said.

“So, we don’t need to make wholesale adjustments to how we played them last time.”

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Ninnis has highlighted Chris Goulding as the marquee man for Adelaide to stop as the Olympic bronze medalist headlines a long list of stars on the United roster.

“Chris Goulding is in MVP form, he is playing incredibly, he is obviously a clear focus and someone we can’t let get going,” Ninnis said.

“He hurt us last time we played here in the fourth quarter, so you can’t let up against him, but it’s certainly not just him, they have superstars everywhere you look.

“It’s something we have spoken about, and we have made those adjustments and make sure that doesn’t happen again.”

Adelaide will keep the shortened rotation, but Ninnis said his side might make some slight moves when it comes to minutes off the bench, with captain Mitch McCarron earmarked for an extended role this round.

“We need to reduce a couple of the players minutes a little bit and Mitch has been up and about and has been fantastic at training, as has Sunday (Dech) and Jason Cadee, who didn’t play (last week),” Ninnis said.

“We will make some adjustments to the playing time.”

United maybe without point guard Matthew Dellavedova, who is a game time decision after suffering a leg contusion on Thursday night.

Adelaide will battle United from 7.30pm ACDT on Saturday night at John Cain Arena and you can watch all the action live and exclusive on ESPN via Kayo Sports.

MELBOURNE UNITED vs ADELAIDE 36ERS
John Cain Arena, Saturday 7.30pm ACDT

LIKELY STARTERS
Melbourne: Matthew Dellavedova, Shea Ili, Chris Goulding, Luke Travers, Jo Lual-Acuil Jnr
Adelaide: Trey Kell, DJ Vasiljevic, Trentyn Flowers, Jacob Wiley, Isaac Humphries

OVERALL
Played 39, Adelaide 12, Melbourne 27

LAST FIVE MATCHES
October 1, 2023 – Melbourne United 82 def Adelaide 36ers 74 at Adelaide Entertainment Centre
February 5, 2023 – Melbourne United 116 def Adelaide 36ers 107 at John Cain Arena
January 21, 2023 – Melbourne United 94 def Adelaide 36ers 87 at Adelaide Entertainment Centre
November 17, 2022 – Adelaide 36ers 91 def Melbourne United 86 at John Cain Arena
March 20, 2022 – Melbourne United 101 def Adelaide 36ers 74 at John Cain Arena