Sixers fresh and excited for first home playoff game since 2018

After more than two weeks between games, the Adelaide 36ers are fresh and excited to hit the court on Tuesday night in the first game of their semi-final series against South East Melbourne.

It will be the first time the Sixers host a finals game in eight years, and the first time the club will have a playoff game at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre since shifting games there in 2019.

Mike Wells’ side last played in the Ignite Cup final on February 22, and while there were some positives in the break related to players freshening up, the coach said it felt like too long between games.

“I think our professional athletes are a lot like race horses,” he commented to Adelaide media after training on Monday, a public holiday for the Adelaide Cup horse racing event.

“Seeing how it's race day, and Adelaide Cup day, you know, they need to play and so you've got to manufacture your practises and you’ve got to try to keep a pace and a rhythm to practice.

“But, you know, after the end of the season, I think it was good for us to reset. We’ve tried to use (the break) as positively as we can.”

The Sixers and Phoenix split their four encounters this season with Wells’ outfit winning the first two and the Melbourne side the most recent games.

While admitting there was more on the line in finals, Wells said his team was taking a pragmatic approach.

“I think that they've got the same guys. We got the same guys,” he said.

“I think playoffs can be different, right? It's always a little bit different.

“There's more at stake, as in, do you want your season to continue or not? So, we'll take in all the information, analyse it, and see if we can put ourselves in a position to get the desired outcome.

“I just think we're excited for this time of year. This is the time of year you play for.”

Adelaide has been starved of success, not winning an NBL title in 24 years, and not hosting a final since 2018.

Wells said his group owed it to the passionate supporter base to put on a show on Tuesday night.

“I think we have the best fans in the NBL,” he said, noting the crowd would be a sixth man for the 36ers.

“They show up every game. We've had 37 straight sellouts. Their support is amazing.

“To have a playoff series, a finals home game, you know, we love their support. They help us. We're really excited about tomorrow night.”

Final remaining tickets, including some premium offerings, are available through Ticketek.

Tip off on Tuesday night is at 7:00pm ACST. If you can’t be at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, you can watch the game live on ESPN through Kayo or Disney+.