Sixers can't keep fast start going against United

The Adelaide 36ers started on fire on the road to Melbourne United on Sunday trying to make it two NBL wins in Round 16 but things didn’t quite go to plan after that.

Adelaide had already beaten the league-leaders in #NBL22 so on the back of Friday night's 26-point win against the Cairns Taipans at Adelaide Entertainment Centre, they arrived at John Cain Arena not without a hope.

Those hopes were strengthened with a 7-0 start to the game and Adelaide still led at quarter-time and were just five down at the half. But things got away from the 36ers in the second half with United recording the eventual 101-74 victory.

The longer the game went, the harder things got for the Sixers against the league-leaders, but Daniel Johnson didn’t stop trying finishing with 18 points and four rebounds.

Tad Dufelmeier had a hot start and finished with 11 points, five rebounds and three assists while Kai Sotto continued his impressive form with another 12 points and four boards.

Captain Mitch McCarron had eight points, three steals, two rebounds and two assists, Mojave King seven points, Cam Bairstow six points and three rebounds, Dusty Hannahs four points, Nick Marshall three points, Manny Malou three points and Hyrum Harris two points and three rebounds.

Adelaide coach CJ Bruton said Melbourne's physicality in the second half played a role but was disappointed in his team's inability to match it.

"I like think that in the first quarter we set the tone right, competed pretty well and made some tough buckets. Unfortunately Delly got hurt and they shifted some bodies. But the first half overall, I thought we were pretty solid," Bruton said.

"Some things got away from us though where we can clean it up and be better. In the second half, our execution - and I played my part in that role - got a little sloppy, looked a little rushed and we looked a little panicky - they took us out of our stuff.

"They can push you out of your stuff with their physicality, they are good in that space and have done that pretty well all year."

Melbourne had a host of contributors with Brad Newley scoring 15 points, Jo Lual-Acuil 15, Jack White 12, Ariel Hukporti 11, Shea Ili 10 and Chris Goulding 10.

Having gained some confidence in Friday night's 26-point win against the Cairns Taipans, the Sixers came out hot to start the clash with the league leaders on Sunday. Tad Dufelmeier and Cam Bairstow combined to give the Sixers the game's opening seven points.

Mitch McCarron then made the lead 9-2, but as expected Melbourne fired back. However, the introduction of Kai Sotto gave a spark and then a dunk from Mojave King had Adelaide leading 20-18 by quarter-time.

While Melbourne grabbed the lead for the first time in the game early in the second term, Adelaide was back in front when Daniel Johnson knocked down a three. Dusty Hannahs and Dufelmeier were then able to combine to put the 36ers back in front again until United worked their way on top.

Adelaide wasn’t going away, though, and three balls to King and Manny Malou brought them back within three before going into the half-time break down five.

Just as Melbourne were threatening to pull away during the third quarter with an 11-point lead, Johnson steadied Adelaide with his second three ball of the game. But Melbourne's lead had grown to 13 points by three quarter-time.

That grew to 19 when Matthew Dellavedova hit two threes to open the fourth quarter and things didn’t get much better the rest of the way for the 36ers with United running out 27-point winners on their home floor.

The 36ers now have until next Sunday before they play again when they return to Adelaide Entertainment Centre to host the South East Melbourne Phoenix.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 16

ADELAIDE 36ERS 74 (Johnson 18, Sotto 12, Dufelmeier 11) 

MELBOURNE UNITED 101 (Lual-Acuil 15, Newley 15, White 12)

BOX SCORE https://nbl.com.au/games/2065657