Round 21 Preview v Melbourne United

The Adelaide 36ers get to finish their season unexpectedly back at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre this Sunday afternoon with the chance to end #nbl21 on a high against Melbourne United.

The 36ers had thought they had played their last game at the Entertainment Centre back two weeks ago against the Perth Wildcats with the expectations of finishing the season on the road to New Zealand, Illawarra and Melbourne.

However, with the COVID-19 lockdown in Victoria, this Sunday's game couldn’t be played in Melbourne and instead it has been decided that the 36ers will get to take on United at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

It's the last game of the season for the 36ers who come into the game with a 13-22 record and on a six-game losing streak while United have now guaranteed top spot and a regular season championship at 27-8 coming off their win in Perth against the Wildcats on Friday.

Adelaide coach Conner Henry is glad for the opportunity to play one final match this season at the Entertainment Centre and he's looking for a strong finish from his team.

"It's a surprise for us to get to play back at home for one last game even though it's not technically our home game, it's Uniteds. It's nice that we are here and we can finish and not have to go on the road. It's a welcome surprise," Henry said on Sixers Fix with Scott Ninnis podcast.

"We are good. We're frustrated with how the season has gone but I think I understand where we're at. We have to lift in certain areas going forward and we have to make some changes in the roster, and continue to improve that roster and continue to build our culture with the way we want to play on the floor. 

"I think we've done a good job off the floor in the community and we've got some really good feedback with our camps that Mahersy and Ninnis run for us. We'll focus everything on this game, it's our last chance to have a good hit out and put a good effort out on the floor."

Sixers captain Brendan Teys hit the floor for some impressive numbers again last Sunday in Wollongong against the Illawarra Hawks, and he sees that as a reward for all the work he has been putting in even when not always getting minutes.

"I've always pride myself on just getting out there and doing what the team needs me to do. You guys don't get to see all the work that goes in behind the scenes, but us guys who aren’t playing too much we get into the gym after games or go on runs," Teys said. 

"Last time I was in Illawarra I ran from the stadium back to the hotel. You guys don’t get to see that and not what goes on back here, but every day we are working our butts off before and after practice, and before and after games. 

"It's nice to go out there and be rewarded for the work that I've put in personally. Obviously it has been a long season but that's just the nature of the world right now and that's not an excuse. Everybody just has to keep going out there and pushing, and working their butts off to try and get wins."

Teys is also making it clear that he would like to continue his 259-game NBL career beyond this season and that retirement isn’t even coming close to being on his mind.

"I 100 per cent want to keep playing. I may have the grey hairs and the grey beard and the rest of it, but at the end of the day I'm only 31 and am still on the back end of my prime," Teys said.

"I definitely want to play on and go around again but we'll just have to make that decision in couple of weeks when free agency starts. I've got a young family and I have to take that into account along with the rest of it. 

"We'll cross that bridge when free agency starts but yes, I 100 per cent want to go around again and I want to win a championship before it's all said and done."

HUNGRY JACK'S 2021 NBL SEASON – ROUND 21

ADELAIDE 36ERS v MELBOURNE UNITED
Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Sunday 2.30pm ACDT

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