Road focus for Wells in United test

Taking home court form on the road is the next big challenge for Adelaide 36ers head coach Mike Wells ahead of this Sunday’s showdown against Melbourne United at John Cain Arena.

Adelaide are sitting in fourth spot on the standings at 6-4, but have won only once in five attempts away from the Entertainment Centre so far in the NBL25 season.

Wells said he hopes the momentum from last Sunday afternoon’s win against Illawarra Hawks can be taken across the border this weekend, but he knows what could unlock success on the road.

“You can create your own energy internally, and that’s defence, offense will come and go,” Wells said.

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“Role players play better at home, the only thing you can change is your defence. It’s all about our defence, it’s all about our attention to detail.

“That’s how you can weather a storm (on the road), like if we get off to a bad start, or get on a run in the middle of the game.

“If I have to take a time out, it’s to take a breath and reset and try and get a few defensive stops in a row.

‘Our huddles were better (against Illawarra), but our next challenge is how we handle that on the road against a really talented United team.”

Wells said his side has taken the full week to prepare for the United challenge, something Adelaide didn’t have in Round 4 when Melbourne triumphed 106-79 last month.

“They put one on us down there last time, so they have our full attention,” Wells said.

“We will get organized over the next couple of days and give it our best shot.

“I’m much more aware of how hard it is to win a game in this league, particularly on the road. Everybody’s home court is a unique challenge.”

Sunday’s game is the last for the 36ers before the FIBA break and Wells wants his side to keep improving before attacking the next phase of the NBL25 campaign.

“As long as we are a better team after that 40 minutes than where we are when we started, then we are going in the right direction heading into the (FIBA) break,” Wells said.

Adelaide will battle Melbourne United at John Cain Arena from 2pm ACDT on Sunday afternoon, catch all the action live on ESPN via Kayo Sports and 10HD.